Over my years of service to the foster community, I assisted in providing cribs, clothing and diapers, along with hugs to infants who had literally just been born. In the foster world, most of those tiniest of humans were born with poison in their systems; they are referred to as Substance Exposed Newborns (SEN).
Holding an infant struggling with addiction to meth, heroin, alcohol and other substances, you immediately recognize the dramatic difference from a typical child. The tremors, stiffness in the limbs, and other reactions ripped at my heart. What a way to enter the world! These kiddos need an extra dose of love and support for their unique problems. That’s what JACOB’S HOPE is here to provide!
The small office condo the organization occupies in Mesa has been assembled with the extra needs of these newborns in mind. From the comforting colors to the bassinets and baby monitors, the facility is ready to take on up to 12 infants at a time who are transferred to Jacob’s Hope for care. Much more important than the equipment and furnishings, at this place babies in pain find comfort, love and nurturing care.
Jacob was the son of Jo and Brian Jones, the founders of Jacob’s Hope. Placed as an infant through the foster care system, Jacob was born exposed to drugs. In the 1980s there was little support and education as to how to deal with the challenges faced by babies who had been pre-nataly exposed. The Jones’s did their best to love and care for Jacob, but he would suffer from the effects of substance abuse for his entire life, passing in 2014 at age 25. Jacob’s Hope is dedicated in hopes that other children, with proper care and nurturing from the beginning, can receive the help they deserve as they struggle through drug withdrawals during their first weeks of life and beyond.
Guided by the work of Barbara Drennen at the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent, WA, where more than 3,100 babies have started their journey, and powered by a 24/7 nursing staff, Jacob’s Hope has the knowledge, heart and expertise to make a difference in the lives of Arizona children. They will meet every child on his or her terms, not on the shift schedule common in the NICU. Newborns may not exhibit symptoms of withdrawal for days or even weeks, and every child’s response is unique. Jacob’s Hope can respond and react to those differences and is trained in developing the best possible treatment plan for each child.
Almost 800 Arizona boys and girls are born every year with neonatal abstinence syndrome, requiring special care. The special care provided at Jacob’s Hope is unique in Arizona. It is guided by the love of a mom – Jo Jones, who has devoted her energy to creating this place where babies born like Jacob can find hope, along with compassion and love. Jo has been involved in foster care for almost 30 years, including fostering multiple babies and is focused on easing the path and alleviating the pain for every infant. Importantly, every foster or biological parent who will parent these children is provided resources, tips and tools to continue the positive path begun at Jacob’s Hope.
I know that Jacob Jones would be proud looking down on the building and organization that bears his name, knowing that those little babies have a chance, and will have hope, thanks to the work being done in his name.
Dan Shufelt, the former CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, has been involved in the charity world as an executive and grant maker for many years.
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