Lighting the path for moms in recovery and their babies
Firefly combines prenatal and postpartum care with treatment for opioid use disorder for women facing the dual challenge of pregnancy and recovery in Middle Tennessee. Participation in the program is free.
Help make the holidays glow for Firefly families.
The Firefly Program is currently seeking donations to purchase holiday gifts for the children of Firefly patients. Help us support families affected by substance use disorder by donating at the link below.
Who We Are
Firefly is a new program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee that seeks to improve care for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder and their infants who are covered by Medicaid. Firefly is a partnership between VUMC, TennCare, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program is free for eligible women.
Services We Provide
Prenatal Care
Patients in Firefly receive free, comprehensive prenatal care throughout the duration of their pregnancy, as well as postpartum care after birth that’s integrated with addiction treatment and support.
Addiction Treatment
Our specialists are specifically trained to care for pregnant women who are undergoing treatment for addiction. All doctors in our program are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction.
Group Therapy
In addition to individual counseling, social work and peer support, patients have the opportunity to connect with peers in free weekly group therapeutic sessions, either in-person or online.
Peer Support
Each patient is paired with a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, a woman in recovery with lived experience who helps patients navigate their recovery journey. Peers connect with patients weekly to provide support and assistance.
Gift Cards & Points
Gift cards and incentive program points, redeemable for mom and baby care items, are earned for completing program milestones such as attending appointments and participating in life skills modules.
Integrated Care
Patients receive free integrated psychiatric and pediatric care services from Vanderbilt physicians who specialize in substance use disorders and opioid-exposed infants.
Lactation Support
Beginning in their third trimester and continuing through the postpartum period, patients will meet regularly with a lactation consultant to assist with breastfeeding, pumping, and supporting their infant with mother’s milk.
Connection to Services
Firefly helps connect women to support services at Vanderbilt and in the greater Middle Tennessee region, such as nurse home visitation, Early Intervention Services, food banks, childcare resources, and other supports.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
This fall, Vanderbilt is launching a free Intensive Outpatient Treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder to provide additional therapeutic support for patients.
Testimonials
““One of the best things is – the care provided is all in one place, which is priceless for women struggling to make ends meet, attend appointments and care for their children.”
Firefly Peer Recovery Specialist
“We have to work to push through the system, break down barriers, enhance services and create resources to connect women. The ultimate goal for this new program is to support families and optimize care.”
Firefly Executive Director
Donate to Firefly
With your support, Firefly can help address childcare, food insecurity, and other basic needs for women in recovery and their families.
Firefly is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.