Education & Professional Development

Pediatricians know that healthy babies grow in healthy families. Educational resources from the AAP and other organizations are here to support pediatricians working with families affected by opioid use. All pediatricians are invited to learn how they can partner with families, build a positive therapeutic alliance to support recovery, and long-term treatment for opioid use disorder.

AAP Resources

NEW PediaLink Course: Recovery-Friendly Care for Families Affected by Opioid Use Disorder

The increase in opioid use during pregnancy has been paralleled by an increase in the number of infants diagnosed with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) at birth. Children and families affected by opioids use may face barriers to accessing medical care and other challenges that can impact their long-term health outcomes. Often pediatricians are the primary link to the medical system for birth parents and their infants. This unique position is an opportunity for pediatricians to coordinate patient- and family-centered care for parent-infant dyads, and support addiction recovery.

This course educates pediatricians about best practices in caring for, and supporting families affected by opioid use after discharge from the hospital, and through the infants’ third birthday. Learners can identify practical approaches in ensuring children and families have access to continuous, comprehensive primary care designed to support the health goals for the dyad. The course is eligible for continuing medical education (CME) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, and Maintenance of Certification Part 2 points.

• First, you must Register for this free course via ShopAAP. The login process has been simplified, and you will use your primary email associated with your AAP account to login. Your primary email is where you receive AAP emails. You must know this email to login; however, your password is the same. If you do not have a ShopAAP account, you can create one as prompted at registration. Please note that an AAP membership is not required to create this account and access the course. Having an account allows you to claim CME easier, or save the course information and access it at your own convenience
• Second, you will access the course through Pedialink.org using the same AAP login credentials. Find the activity under “Continuing Education”, or “My Online Courses” and click the launch button. You can also use the “CME Finder” and type opioids in the search bar.

PediaLink Course: Plans of Safe Care for Infant Exposed to Opioids

This course educates hospital-based pediatricians about best practices in caring for, and supporting families affected by prenatal opioid exposure. The course is eligible for continuing medical education (CME) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, and Maintenance of Certification Part 2 points.

AAP Webinar: Stigma and Opioid Use Disorder Webinar: What Pediatricians Need to know in Caring for Mothers and Children 

ACOG/AAP Webinar: Pediatric Transitions in Care for the Mother-Infant Dyad Affected by Opioid Use Disorder

ACOG/AAP Webinar: Maternal Transitions in Care for the Mother-Infant Dyad Affected by Opioid Use

Additional Learning Opportunities

Opioids Through the Ages: Caring for Children and Families in the Wake of Opioid Crisis
Pediatrics for 21st Century (Peds21) – 2019 AAP National Conference & Exhibition

AAP Substance Use ECHO
The AAP serves as the leader in developing, training, supporting and leading pediatric-specific ECHOs,

Providers Community Support System (PCSS)
PCSS aims to increase healthcare providers’ knowledge and skills in the prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorder.

National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness
Provides information and resources to health professionals working with Head Start and childcare programs across the country.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Dedicated to the achievement of women’s health care and the professional interests of its members through continuing medical education, practice, research and advocacy.

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO): The Opioid Use Disorder, Maternal Outcomes and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Initiative (OMNI)

National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) –
National Network of Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (NNPQC)
Provides resources and expertise to nation-wide state based PQCs to make measurable improvements in maternal and infant healthcare outcomes.

American Medical Association Opioid Task Force
Physicians and other health care professionals can take continuous actions to reverse the opioid epidemic.

March of Dimes
Leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies because every baby deserves the best possible start.