In the past year, the work and mission of Maddie’s Place have gained a spotlight across the country as a pioneering model for treating infants experiencing withdrawal due to prenatal substance exposure, including opioids and synthetic opioids, known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Located at 1004 E. Eighth, Spokane-based Maddie’s Place can serve up to 16 infants and 13 parents at a time. The organization has 95 employees who help provide specialized care for infants experiencing withdrawal and comprehensive support for their families.

Since opening its doors in October 2022, the neonatal transitional facility has evolved its model of care to include treating both infants and parents immediately after birth. To date, the nonprofit has cared for 173 infants, supported 100 parents rooming-in with their infants, and an additional 75 parents through its visitation center, all free of charge. Among the 50 parents who have stayed full-time — intake through discharge — with their infants, 88% are in recovery today, have custody of their child, and are stably housed.

The model of care has also contributed to broader policy changes. In the 2026 legislative session, Senate Bill 6024 was introduced to establish a permanent funding model for these services. Additionally, Maddie's Place served as a primary author of the bipartisan Miracle Act, introduced in 2025, that proposes a national study of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and outcomes at Maddie's Place and four other dedicated clinics operating in the U.S.

How has the organization adapted or innovated in the past year? Maddie’s Place's model of care itself represents a significant innovation. The organization provides a nonpharmacologic, dyadic approach that is both clinically effective and substantially more cost-efficient than traditional treatment pathways. The model has the potential to meaningfully influence how infants experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome are treated, while also reshaping broader systems of care, including child welfare practices in Washington state and beyond.

What are your expectations for growth in the coming years? The organization is preparing to announce a $15 million campus expansion guided by its comprehensive master plan. The expansion is designed to increase clinical capacity, strengthen family support services, and further enhance long-term program sustainability.

Maddie’s Place has established three subsidiaries under its corporate umbrella: Maddie’s Place Vancouver LLC, Maddie’s Place Florida LLC, and Maddie’s Place Housing LLC.

Demand for replication continues to accelerate. Maddie’s Place has built a combined social media following of more than 408,000 individuals, and 290 community leaders from across the country and Canada have formally expressed interest in bringing the Maddie’s Place model to their regions. To guide this momentum, the organization has identified 36 active cohorts across 45 states and is currently exploring early-stage opportunities in Texas and Oklahoma.

To ensure growth remains mission-aligned and operationally sound, Maddie’s Place has formally trademarked its intellectual property and intends to utilize structural licensing agreements with its subsidiaries.

Survey responses may have been edited for length and clarity.