Healing Generations: How LESC’s Pregnant Women and Infants Program Transforms Lives

When a woman is pregnant and struggling with substance use, seeking help can feel impossible. The fear of losing custody, the weight of stigma, and the challenges of recovery all hit at once. That’s where the Pregnant Women and Infants Program (PWIP) at LESC Su Casa makes a profound difference.

Led by Yvette Sheard-Scott, LESC Su Casa Director of Client Support Services and Pregnant Women and Infants Program, our NYC pregnant women residential treatment program provides a lifeline for mothers and their babies. “The Pregnant Women and Infants Program is a small, unique program that addresses the mom’s needs of prenatal and postnatal care, 24-hour childcare, mental health services, clinical support, legal and vocational support: the overall support of the individual client and family,” says Yvette.

This ten-bed program is intentionally small to ensure individualized, compassionate care. Women stay from pregnancy through their child’s first year of life, giving them the time, space, and support needed to build a foundation for long-term recovery.

A Comprehensive Approach to Recovery

What sets PWIP apart is its holistic person-centered approach around the mother and the child. The mothers receive a comprehensive range of care, encompassing clinical, emotional, medical, and spiritual support, along with 24-hour childcare.

• Clinical and Mental Health Support: Mothers are connected with a counselor immediately upon acceptance into the program. They participate in therapy, relapse prevention, and anger management groups. Acknowledging the deep wounds many clients carry, Yvette stresses that “trauma-informed care is essential for them.” Therapists work with mothers to process trauma, build coping mechanisms, and heal.

• Prenatal and Postnatal Care: The program ensures mothers receive proper prenatal checkups, nutritional education, and guidance on breastfeeding and infant health. Staff escort women to medical appointments when needed. “We focus on supporting mothers so they can focus on their babies,” Yvette says.

• Parenting and Infant Care: The program’s nursery enables childcare staff to work hands-on with mothers, teaching essential skills such as feeding, bonding, and safe sleep practices. Partnerships with organizations like Henry Street Settlement provide specialized parenting programs such as “Mommy and Me.” Yvette adds, “We teach mothers to rest when the baby rests – ‘baby sleeps, you sleep’ – because even small routines can make a big difference.”

• Vocational and Legal Support: PWIP helps women plan for life after treatment. Vocational counselors guide mothers through education and employment opportunities, while legal advocates assist with housing and family reunification. For women involved with ACS, the program works closely with caseworkers to ensure families can stay together safely.

Breaking Barriers and Building Trust

Many pregnant women seeking substance use treatment enter the program feeling isolated, ashamed, and afraid. “There’s the stigma of ‘How could she be using while she’s pregnant?’ Yvette says. “Society expects women to be nurturers and strong, and when they struggle, they feel something is wrong with them.”

That stigma often keeps women from seeking help, especially if they fear losing their child. However, Yvette and her team have created a space where compassion takes precedence over judgment. “Moms are coming in not as fearful as they normally would,” Yvette explains. “They know they’re in a program where they feel secure and not judged and there’s assistance helping them reunite with their children.”

This sense of safety and trust is the cornerstone of recovery. It allows mothers to be vulnerable, to heal, and to rediscover their strength as both women and parents.

A Legacy of Healthy Births and Lasting Success

The results of the PWIP program speaks for itself. “Ninety nine percent of our moms who come initially within the first 12 months have healthy babies.” Yvette proudly shares.

At LESC, success extends far beyond delivery day. The program tracks mothers who transition to sobriety, employment, and stable housing. Some alumni go on to high-earning careers. “The one thing I would like for people to know when they’re completing the program,” says Yvette, “is that they have worked hard through their journey and are still succeeding. Their journey and path are different, but they are working through it.”

Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities

The impact of our NYC pregnant women residential treatment reaches far beyond individual lives. By supporting mothers, the program helps stabilize families, reduce strain on social systems, and foster healthier communities. “LESC Su Casa is a unique, specialized program that is geared to working with women who are in need, in trouble or in pain, who need to have someone to be there for them, with them, guide them, show them the right path,” Yvette says.

Every mother who heals breaks a cycle of trauma and addiction, creating new opportunities for her child and family. “It has made so many women’s lives change for the better,” Yvette says.

LESC is a Safe Haven for Pregnant Women in Need!

Perhaps Yvette’s most powerful message is a plea for empathy. She reminds us that individuals struggling with addiction are “human beings first,” and “not an addict.” This fundamental truth underscores why programs like PWIP are not merely beneficial but essential.

In a stark reflection on the program’s necessity, Yvette states: “Without the PWIP program at LESC Su Casa, many women may have perished – in the sense of being forgotten, and feeling unloved and cared about.” This statement is a powerful reminder of the dignity and potential that are restored through dedicated support.

The Pregnant Women and Infants Program at LESC Su Casa doesn’t just treat addiction; it cultivates hope, rebuilds families, and strengthens the fabric of the community. It is a vital example of how compassion, comprehensive care, and unwavering belief in human potential can change lives for the better, securing a healthier future for mothers and their precious infants.