The Suda Institute is proud to announce the publication of a peer-reviewed research study evaluating the SUN Project’s community-based perinatal substance use disorder (PSUD) model. The article, “A credibility-driven evaluation of a community-based perinatal substance use disorder collaborative care model,” was published in Frontiers in Public Health on November 13, 2025.
The study highlights SUN’s impact in reducing stigma, increasing access to care, and strengthening family preservation for pregnant and parenting individuals navigating recovery.
Key Findings from the First Round of SUN Data
The study analyzed data from 29 SUN participants (2019–2023) using medical records, surveys, focus groups, and staff interviews. Results showed:
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94% treatment adherence among delivering participants
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87% infants born at term (and 100% term birth for participants entering SUN care in the first trimester)
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Reduced barriers to care, including improved access to OAT/MOUD, mental health care, and social services
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Increased trust, stability, and engagement through trauma-informed, person-centered care
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A journey map reflecting the lived experiences of SUN moms from pregnancy through postpartum recovery
The publication uplifts participant voices and demonstrates that compassionate, coordinated care improves outcomes for both infants and parents.
Citation:
Jäderholm C. M., Williams T. T., Wipfli B. M., Messer L. C., & Winett L. B. (2025). A credibility-driven evaluation of a community-based perinatal substance use disorder collaborative care model. Frontiers in Public Health, 13:1626095.
What’s Next: Second-Round Data & Expanded Research
A third manuscript is underway, analyzing SUN’s second-round data with a focus on out-of-home (foster care) placement outcomes. Future research aims to expand to additional child maltreatment datasets, trauma exposure, long-term health outcomes, and environmental factors affecting recovery and family stability. Sustained funding will be essential to advance this work.
Help Support This Critical Research
The Suda Institute is actively seeking funders and partners interested in supporting research that protects families, strengthens communities, and improves perinatal substance use care.
For inquiries or recommendations, please contact:
[email protected]
Your support ensures that the voices of moms in recovery continue to guide policy, practice, and community care across North Carolina and beyond.
