SSTARbirth is a long-term residential substance use treatment program in Cranston created specifically for pregnant, postpartum, and parenting women. The program is operated by Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, commonly known as SSTAR. Since opening in 1994, SSTARbirth has combined addiction treatment with parenting support and family reunification services so women can work on recovery without being separated from their young children.
Residential Treatment for Women and Children
SSTARbirth allows women to remain in treatment for as long as six months. The program can serve up to 12 women and 24 children, creating a small residential community where treatment, parenting, and daily family life take place together. Women participate in care while living with their children, which allows staff to support recovery and parenting responsibilities at the same time.
Services include individual counseling, group therapy, substance use education, relapse prevention, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, case management, and education about co-occurring mental health conditions. The program also uses the Seeking Safety trauma curriculum and Helping Women Recover, a treatment model developed around the experiences and needs of women with substance use disorders.
Gender-Sensitive and Trauma-Informed Care
SSTARbirth focuses on the strengths and resilience of each woman. Treatment considers how trauma, intimate partner violence, grief, family conflict, poverty, housing instability, and caregiving stress may affect substance use and recovery. Counseling helps residents understand triggers, strengthen coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and build a recovery plan that can continue after residential treatment ends.
The program uses a holistic approach that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous principles are included in the recovery environment, while clinical services address behavioral health and practical needs. Expressive arts and psychoeducational groups give residents additional ways to process experiences and develop healthier routines.
Parenting and Child Development Services
The Nurturing Families parenting program helps residents strengthen parenting skills, understand child development, and create safer family routines. An onsite licensed daycare allows mothers to attend treatment activities while their children receive supervised care. SSTARbirth also coordinates Early Intervention services for children under age three when developmental support is needed.
Staff collaborate with community organizations to provide education about nutrition, health and wellness, domestic violence, HIV, and other issues that may affect mothers and children. Transportation is available for appointments, reducing interruptions in treatment and making it easier to coordinate prenatal care, pediatric visits, court obligations, and other essential services.
Continuing Care and Family Stability
Case management addresses the practical needs that can influence recovery, including housing, benefits, transportation, family reunification requirements, and connections with medical or behavioral health providers. Transitional support and continuing care help women prepare for life after the residential stay. Follow-up planning may include outpatient counseling, medication treatment, peer recovery support, childcare, primary care, and stable housing.
Admissions
SSTARbirth is intended for women who are pregnant, postpartum, or parenting young children and who need residential substance use treatment. Admission depends on clinical eligibility and available space. Prospective residents and referring professionals should contact SSTARbirth directly to confirm current requirements, length of stay, accepted payment arrangements, and whether children can enter the program with their mother.
