This 6-part series provides clinical providers with practical, evidence-based strategies for the treatment and management of perinatal substance use disorders (PSUD). Each 60-minute interactive session includes a brief lecture, a case presentation, and group discussion designed to engage clinicians across specialties in addressing the unique needs of pregnant and parenting patients. The training emphasizes compassionate, trauma-informed, and collaborative care to improve outcomes for patients and families. Project ECHO (ECHO.umn.edu) is a virtual practice model that links practicing clinicians with specialist care teams.

It is hosted in a virtual consultation format mixing didactic presentations with in-depth case consultations. What You'll Learn: Best practices for managing stimulant use disorder during pregnancy Effective screening approaches for PSUD Clinical guidance on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in pregnancy and postpartum Key considerations for lactation and perinatal care Integrating trauma-informed care into clinical practice Building effective collaborative care models and DSS partnerships

Course Director:

• Melinda Ramage, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, LCAS - Director, NC PSUD Network
• Russell Suda, MD - Medical Director, SUDA Institute

Overall Objectives:

1. Analyze the multifaceted reasons for substance use across reproductive life stages, incorporating biological, psychological, social, and systemic factors.
2. Evaluate current screening tools, communication strategies, and treatment modalities for Perinatal Substance Use Disorders (PSUD), emphasizing evidence-based and non-stigmatizing approaches.
3. Integrate trauma-informed care principles, harm reduction strategies, and collaborative frameworks into clinical practice to support individuals with PSUD.
4. Compare the safety, efficacy, and applicability of pharmacological and behavioral interventions for opioid use disorder during pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation.
5. Employ ethical decision-making and patient-centered counseling techniques in navigating legal, judicial, and social service partnerships related to PSUD.

Target Audience:  
This activity is designed for physicians, nurses, social workers and other healthcare professionals.

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Advocate Health and The Governors Institute. Advocate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Statement(s)

American Medical Association (AMA) 
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Advocate Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 clinical continuing education credits.

Board Recognition Statement

American Board of Surgery (ABS)
Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.