New evidence-based resources are available for home visitors working with families to reduce their tobacco use. Smoking Cessation and Reduction in Pregnancy Treatment (SCRIPT) is being implemented statewide through a partnership between the Florida March of Dimes, the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions, Inc., the Florida Department of Health, Tobacco Free Florida and Florida MIECHV.
Reducing tobacco use is one of three prevention strategies recommended by the March of Dimes to reduce prematurity and preterm birth. According to the 2014 MOD Prematurity Report Card, 15% of women of childbearing age in Florida smoke. The state’s high prematurity rate—13.6% of births—earned Florida a D grade in 2014. Families who use tobacco are a priority population for MIECHV home visiting services. In 2013-14, 26.3% of families receiving MIECHV-funded home visiting services in Florida used tobacco products.
SCRIPT is an award-winning, evidence-based program shown to be effective in helping thousands of pregnant women and their families quit smoking. It has been tested in both clinical and home visiting programs. Developed by Dr. Richard Windsor, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, SCRIPT includes the following intervention components:
- A Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Quit Smoking: A 40-page tailored guide that outlines a self-evaluation process to help build women’s smoking cessation success over a seven-day period; written in the 5-6th grade reading level
- Commit to Quit Smoking During and After Pregnancy: A 15-minute motivational DVD that presents testimonials of pregnant smokers who quit; helps demonstrate behavioral skills to quit smoking and reduce counseling time
- Comprehensive counseling: To help pregnant smokers quit or significantly reduce smoking during pregnancy
- Counseling and encouragement to establish a non-smoking home: Follow up components are a part of the SCRIPT Program to help prevent smoking relapse.
March of Dimes support has enabled FAHSC to train a network of 39 SCRIPT Trainers who will instruct Healthy Start care coordinators, home visitors, clinical and other front-line staff in implementing the program with families. The state DOH (Chronic Disease and Maternal & Child Health) and Tobacco Free Florida have provided funding for SCRIPT material and monitors for use by trained staff. For more information about SCRIPT training and resources in your community, contact Mirine Dye, project coordinator.