Pensacola, Fla. (March 28, 2023) – Requesting an Uber or taxi seems like a simple task. It is, when you have the resources to pay for the service. Thanks to Sunshine Health Community Connection, a grant removes a transportation barrier for pregnant mothers receiving substance misuse treatment. The women are in residential treatment at the LifeView Group affiliate, Lakeview Center of Walton County, and now have a resource for getting to their prenatal appointments.

The JoAnn Birge Women and Children’s Center is a level II substance abuse treatment facility for pregnant and post-partum women. The center’s goal is to ensure pregnant women remain substance free while receiving appropriate medical care for a healthy birth. This grant helps the center achieve its mission of helping people throughout life’s journey. It removes a critical barrier to healthy moms and their babies.

“Many of the pregnant women who enter our treatment facility don’t have transportation,” said Tia Guidry, LMHC, director of Lakeview Center of Walton County. “This grant removes the transportation barrier for pregnant mothers so that they can get to prenatal visits to ensure their babies are born healthy.” 

Referrals to the center are accepted from all sources, and individuals are welcome to apply. Women meeting the criteria will receive mental health services in a safe environment, including special accommodations for women with children so that they can stay together during treatment.

Visit elakeviewcenter.org to learn more or call 850-892-8030. To speak with the care manager, call 850-974-9212.