Children Diagnosed With NAS in Kentucky and Their Involvement in Early Intervention

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a public health issue that affected more than 2% of live births in Kentucky in 2017. We analyzed data from Kentucky’s early intervention (EI) program and the mandatory statewide NAS registry to learn more about how families of children with NAS utilize EI services. Out of 1,113 children in the study, 32% were referred to EI and 9% enrolled. Gaps in the intake process include low referral rates, low screening rates among referred children (36%), and lag in the time from referral to enrollment. Because 79% of screened children qualified for EI and 95% of qualifying children enrolled, this sample demonstrated some need for and interest in services. We are using these findings to inform policy recommendations that could help EI agencies experiencing an influx of potential clients with a history of NAS.