Project
Sheway – Multi-faceted program for high-risk pregnant and parenting women
Principal Investigator(s): Nancy Poole, evaluation of program, phone: 604-875-2066, email: npoole@cw.bc.ca; wavelength@telus.net
Start/End Date: 1993 to date; evaluation in 2000
Location: Downtown Eastside, Vancouver, BC
Brief Description: Sheway is a partnership initiative of government and community (MCFD, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver Native Health Society and YWCA). It was developed in response to the number of infants born substance exposed with low birth weights, and subsequently removed by social services, and the number of women arriving at birthing institutions having had no prenatal care, to provide comprehensive health and social services to women who are pregnant or parenting children to 18 months of age, who have current or past substance abuse issues. It provides unique, highly specialized services to those with highly complex needs. It operates in a client-centered, woman-focused environment, dedicating both time and energy to creating positive relationships with women based on trust and mutual respect. Services are both outreach and drop-in. Sheway goals are (1) to engage women in prenatal care; (2) to provide education, referral and support to help reduce risk behaviours and in particular, stop the use of alcohol and drugs in pregnancy; and (3) to promote health, nutrition and development of children born to women accessing prenatal care at Sheway to 18 months after birth.
Staffing: 2 full time social workers, four community health nurses (2 part-time, 2 full-time); one full time nutritionist, one full-time addictions counselor; physician availability (split between 3) 5 afternoons a week; one full-time outreach worker; two IDP consultants (1 half-time; 1 full-time); one full-time administration assistant; one full-time medical office assistant; one full-time receptionist; one full-time cook/peer support worker; one part-time family support worker; one full-time community support worker; one part-time community research facilitator.
Time Frame: ongoing Kind of Project: implementation Population Served: inner city and urban
Publications: Evaluation Report of the Sheway Project for High Risk Pregnant and Parenting Women, and tow related reports are available from the website of the BCCEWH
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