                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT TO BE LEAD AGENCY FOR SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE-EXPOSED INFANTS (§
32.1-73.12)

The Department shall serve as the lead agency with responsibility for the
development, coordination, and implementation of a plan for services for
substance-exposed infants in the Commonwealth. Such plan shall support a
trauma-informed approach to identification and treatment of substance-exposed
infants and their caregivers and shall include options for improving screening
and identification of substance-using pregnant women; use of multidisciplinary
approaches to intervention and service delivery during the prenatal period and
following the birth of the substance-exposed child; and referral among providers
serving substance-exposed infants and their families and caregivers. In carrying
out its duties, the Department shall work cooperatively with the Department of
Social Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services,
community services boards and behavioral health authorities, local departments
of health, the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Virginia Section, and such
other stakeholders as may be appropriate. The Department shall report annually
on December 1 to the General Assembly regarding implementation of the plan.

HISTORY: 2018, cc. 695, 696.