The new service, called He Tupua Wai-Ora, was launched by Northland District Health Board (NDHB) yesterday. Kaitaia mother Shelly Erstich was to be guest speaker but was unable to attend.
She had experienced first-hand the difference intensive support could make, she said.
"During pregnancy I become very mentally unwell, irrationally suicidal, and as a result there was a point when my children were removed from my care."
Strong support from her health worker was a major factor in her recovery and the return of her children, she said.
The He Tupua Wai-Ora service is based on evidence that parents with alcohol and drug problems often have difficulty providing healthy, nurturing and safe environments for their children, NDHB chief executive Nick Chamberlain said.
"We believe that the responsibility lies with all agencies to reach out and be engaged with parents for as long as it takes to ensure that the health and wellbeing of children is secured," he said.
"Rather than expecting the client to access services, agencies will actively engage with individuals and their families by taking the services to them and providing continuous engagement."
The other two health districts to get the special funding were Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti.