Madison, IN – Bethany Legacy Foundation is proud to announce a two-year $1,000,000 grant to support a significant advancement in our local healthcare services. Infants in BLOOM, set to launch in Jefferson County, is a pioneering pediatric care model that aims to provide comprehensive, “in-place” services to vulnerable infants and families.

Over the last two decades, substance use has had a profound impact on our community. As a result, substance-exposed infants experience harmful neurological effects from the time of conception through delivery. Additionally, their caregivers are often unable to provide the consistent nurturing care that these infants need to thrive. Special interventions are urgently needed to prevent lifelong consequences.

Meeting patients “in place” provides the infant and their families with unique care based on the location of the family’s choice. Infants in BLOOM will offer restorative and supportive services in a familiar and accessible environment, aiming to improve outcomes through crucial interventions at a pivotal time in infant brain development. Once the program is implemented, the healthcare provider will visit the patient and caregiver “in place” once a week.

Partnerships with their caregivers are a core part of the BLOOM program and will be provided by connecting them to existing community resources. This approach aims to drive awareness of the value of infant mental health which advances the goal of creating an equitable culture for all. Early treatment provides the very best chance for positive long-term outcomes and improves not only the trajectory for affected infants but also for the community.

Morgan Hamilton, Program Manager at Bethany Legacy Foundation, emphasized the importance of this new project, “The infant mortality rate in Indiana stands at 6.75 per 1,000 live births, one of the highest in the nation. Through a suite of prevention interventions, BLOOM hopes to impact these statistics in Jefferson County.”

Infants in BLOOM Executive Director, Megan Mouser states how vital this funding is for Jefferson County residents, “BLOOM will establish a first-ever pediatric care model that delivers in-place, intensive, restorative interventions specifically designed to improve the physical and mental health of infants impacted by substance use disorder in partnership with their parents or primary caregivers. This grant highlights the Bethany Legacy Foundation’s dedication and understanding of the importance of addressing substance abuse and mental health for all citizens of Jefferson County, including the youngest, most vulnerable population. With this tremendous support, our women-led, social-purpose organization can build a sustainable care model changing the life trajectory of infants impacted by substance use – enabling all to BLOOM.”

To learn more about Infants in BLOOM, please visit www.infantsinbloom.org.

About Bethany Legacy Foundation
Bethany Legacy Foundation is a private health foundation in Madison, Indiana established through the change of ownership from the local hospital King’s Daughters Health to Norton Healthcare. The proceeds from the partnership were used to establish the foundation in 2022. The organization’s mission is to put faith into action and serve Jefferson County by bringing the community together, creating and funding solutions for social issues affecting health. Learn more at bethanylegacy.org.