Survivor Mothers – An Enhanced THRIVE Model of Care for Survivor Mothers and Infants

Florida ranks third in the number of Human Trafficking cases in the United States, and Miami-Dade County (MDC) in South Florida represents more than one in ten of the state’s cases. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s (UMMSM) THRIVE (Trafficking Healthcare Resources Interdisciplinary Victim Services and Education) clinic, noted as an innovative model of health care for survivors of human trafficking, has provided comprehensive services in South Florida since 2016. However, there is an unmet need for the emerging population of women requiring intensive treatment and follow-up for pregnancies complicated with an array of medical and psychiatric diagnoses.

Funds will enable the UMMSM THRIVE clinic to enhance services for pregnant women who are survivors of human trafficking to ensure mothers and babies receive additional expert care and support to improve their long and short-term health outcomes. The proposed project will address the unique needs of survivor mothers and their infants, which will begin in pregnancy and extend one year after the birth of the child, a critical and vulnerable time for both mothers and newborns. With the additional support, THRIVE will be able to enhance its program to provide the following trauma-informed, survivor-centered services: 1) perinatal care health care for survivor mothers and infants; 2) a comprehensive, perinatal psychiatric treatment service; 3) a prenatal care and parenting curriculum that addresses trauma and toxic stress; and 4) complimented with these services, education, and training that will be delivered to medical providers, trainees, nurses and support staff on providing trauma-informed care and treatment for survivor mothers and their infants.