Skip Navigation

Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

Sign up for MCHalert eNewsletter

Search Results: MCHLine

Items in this list may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information reflects the most current data about the source that has been provided to the MCH Digital Library.


Displaying records 1 through 20 (73 total).

Grantmakers In Health. 2024. The role community health workers can play to improve maternal mental health. Washington, DC: Grantmakers In Health,

Annotation: This webinar focuses on integrating community health workers (CHWs) into maternal mental health services. Cosponsored by Funders for Maternal Mental Health, the webinar explores how CHWs can help address maternal mental health conditions, which affect 1 in 5 expectant and postpartum mothers and disproportionately impact women of color and those living in poverty. Speakers include experts from the National Academy for State Health Policy, The Children's Partnership, California Department of Health Care Services, and Connecticut Office of Health Strategy. The session examines state financing strategies, implementation experiences from California and Connecticut, and opportunities for philanthropy to support CHW integration into healthcare systems through Medicaid and other public financing mechanisms.

Contact: Grantmakers In Health, 1100 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20036-4101, Telephone: (202) 452-8331 Fax: (202) 452-8340 Web Site: http://www.gih.org

Keywords: Community health workers, Health equity, Maternal health, Mental health, State initiatives

Burak E, Dwyer A, Mondestin T, and Johnson K. 2024. State Medicaid opportunities to support mental health of mothers and babies during the 12-month postpartum period. Washington, DC: McCourt School of Public Policy , Center for Children and Families, 18 pp.

Annotation: This report outlines state Medicaid policy recommendations to support mental health for mothers and babies during the 12-month postpartum period. It draws from an October 2023 meeting of Medicaid policy and maternal health experts to recommend concrete steps for state agencies in five key areas: enhancing primary care as a family hub, monitoring care connections, financing appropriate services, supporting workforce capacity, and prioritizing maternal and infant-early childhood mental health in Medicaid. The document examines recent federal policy changes and includes detailed implementation guidance for states adopting extended postpartum coverage. It aims to help states leverage Medicaid to advance health equity and improve mental health outcomes for mothers and infants in the critical year following birth.

Contact: Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy , Center for Children and Families, 600 New Jersey Avenue , Washington, DC 20001, Telephone: (202) 687-0880 Fax: (202) 687-3110 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://ccf.georgetown.edu

Keywords: Federal policy, Health equity, Infant health, Maternal health, Medicaid, Mental health, Postpartum care, State policy

Silverman K, Benyo A. 2024. Building healthy futures: Addressing mental health and substance use disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. Hamilton, NJ: Center for Health Care Strategies, 26 pp.

Annotation: This report examines the critical impact of mental health and substance use disorders on maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States, highlighting how suicide and substance use-related overdoses account for over 20 percent of postpartum deaths. It presents promising approaches from states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, New Hampshire, and California that integrate maternity care with behavioral health services and social supports. The report outlines six key recommendations for improving care: supporting dedicated multidisciplinary care teams, centering people with lived experience to drive health equity, normalizing substance use care, training all staff on bias and stigma, expanding the community-based workforce including doulas and peer recovery specialists, and implementing harm reduction and street medicine approaches. The authors emphasize that with nearly every state now providing 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage, there are unprecedented opportunities to implement integrated, trauma-informed, non-punitive care models that can significantly reduce maternal mortality and improve outcomes for families.

Contact: Center for Health Care Strategies, 300 American Metro Boulevard, Suite 125, Hamilton, NJ 08619, Telephone: (609) 528-8400 Fax: (609) 586-3679 Web Site: http://www.chcs.org

Keywords: Substance abusing pregnant women, Community participation, Disorders, Health care reform, Initiatives, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Mental health, Model programs, Perinatal addiction, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, Risk factors, Service integration, Substance use disorders

Espinosa S, Gilburg ML, McDonald M . 2024. Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative Convening. New York, NY: Milbank Memorial Fund, 9 pp.

Annotation: This report summarizes key findings from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative Expert Evidence Convening held in April 2024. The document synthesizes insights from four expert panels focused on reducing postpartum mortality, covering mental health and substance use disorder, community and social drivers of health, clinical care, and state-level policy opportunities. The report identifies seven key themes for state policy action, including enabling better care transitions with technology and patient-specific planning, providing resources before screening for social needs, ensuring cross-sector collaboration, incorporating community engagement, supporting quality improvement initiatives, implementing patient-centered care approaches, and investing in data infrastructure. Panel discussions revealed strategies such as implementing non-punitive child welfare policies, reimbursing integrated healthcare and telehealth services, extending postpartum coverage, bundling care incentives, and addressing systems barriers including access limitations, provider competency gaps, and cultural barriers that impact maternal health outcomes.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

Contact: Milbank Memorial Fund, 645 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10022-1095, Telephone: (212) 355-8400 Fax: (212) 355-8599 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.milbank.org

Keywords: Collaboration, Conference proceedings, Indiana, Maternal health, Mental health, Models, Pennsylvania, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, State initiatives

Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center . 2023. Increase access to and coverage of comprehensive high-quality maternal health services, Including behavioral health services. Chapel Hill, NC: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center , 13 pp. (White House blueprint evidence to action briefs)

Annotation: This brief highlights goal 1 of the White House blueprint for addressing the maternal health crisis, which is to increase access to and coverage of comprehensive high-quality maternal health services, including behavioral health services. The brief outlines the need to strengthen risk-appropriate care in rural and urban areas; improve quality of care provided to pregnant and postpartum women with or at risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; expand capacity to screen, assess, treat, and refer for maternal depression and related behavioral disorders; and Integrate behavioral health supports in community settings. Evidence-informed strategies for improvement, criteria for states to consider when developing strategies, and additional resources are included. Statistics on the percentage of women ages 15-49 with health insurance (by source of coverage); percent of Medicaid coverage by race/ethnicity; and births covered by Medicaid are also provided.

Contact: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC Web Site: https://maternalhealthlearning.org/

Keywords: Access to care, Barriers, Health insurance, Initiatives, Maternal health, Medicaid, Mental health services, Perinatal care, Service integration

Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center. 2023. Expand capacity to screen, assess, treat, and refer for maternal depression and related behavioral disorders. Chapel Hill, NC: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center, 10 pp. (White House blueprint evidence to action briefs)

Annotation: This issue brief highlights Action 1.14 from the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, focused on expanding capacity to screen, assess, treat, and refer for maternal depression and related behavioral disorders. The document examines evidence-supported interventions for addressing perinatal depression, including universal screening protocols, psychiatric consultation services, and care coordination support. It presents current data on the prevalence and disparities in maternal mental health screening and treatment across different populations and geographic areas, with particular attention to racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors. The brief outlines specific state-level innovations being implemented to improve maternal mental health care, such as Illinois's DocAssist program and Montana's PRISM consultation line, and provides evidence-based measures for tracking progress in expanding behavioral health support services.

Contact: Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC Web Site: https://maternalhealthlearning.org/

Keywords: Assessment, Coordination, Depression, Health care disparities, Maternal health, Mental health, Model programs, Postpartum depression, Referrals, Screening, State initiatives

U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2022. 2022 National healthcare quality and disparities report. Rockville, MD: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 135 pp. (AHRQ publication no. 22(23)-0030)

Annotation: The annual National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report summarizes the status of health and healthcare delivery in the United States. The 2022 version reports on more than 440 measures of quality and examines data in three sections: Portrait of American Healthcare; Special Emphasis Topics (maternal health, child and adolescent mental health, substance use disorders, oral health); Quality and Disparities Tables.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone: (301) 427-1364 Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov

Keywords: Access to health care, Adolescent mental health, Child health, Child mental health, Ethnic groups, Health care disparities, Health status disparities, Low income groups, Maternal health, Measures, Minority groups, Policy development, Poverty, Racial factors, Social factors, Socioeconomic factors, Socioeconomic status

2022. Fact Sheet: National Mental Health Hotlines. [Washington, DC]: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; [Rockville, MD]: Health Resources & Services Administration; [Rockville, MD]: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1 pp.

Annotation: This document compares two national mental health hotlines: the Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS) and the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Maternal Mental Health Hotline, launched in May 2022 and funded by HRSA, provides non-crisis support specifically for pregnant and postpartum people with 24/7 service in English and Spanish. The 988 hotline, launched in July 2022 and funded by SAMHSA, serves as a crisis line for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health crises, operating through a network of over 200 centers with multiple communication channels. Both services offer language translation and provide referrals to local resources.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Maternal mental health, Hotlines, Mental health services

Levinson D, McKeon R, Draper J. 2022. Making the Call for MCH: Exploring the Maternal Mental Health Hotline and the 988 Crisis Lifeline. [Washington, DC]: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; [Arlington, VA]: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, 58 m 25 s.

Annotation: In this virtual learning session hosted by AMCHP and ASTHO, attendees explored critical mental health resources designed to support maternal and child health populations, focusing on the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline and the 988 Suicide Prevention Crisis Lifeline. The panel featured prominent experts including Dr. John Draper from Vibrant Emotional Health who oversees the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Dawn Levinson representing the Maternal and Child Health Bureau as their Behavioral Health Lead, and Richard McKeon who heads SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention Branch. The session highlighted how these national crisis response systems operate, examined their unique approaches to addressing mental health needs among different populations, and presented strategic opportunities for state and territorial public health agencies to form partnerships that enhance resource promotion, improve service coordination, and ultimately strengthen mental health support systems for mothers, children, and families throughout their communities. Downloadable materials includ slide deck, speaker biographies, and handouts.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Maternal mental health, Hotlines, Mental health services, Children', s mental health, Suicide prevention, Partnerships

Viswanathan M, Middleton JC, Stuebe A, Berkman N, Goulding AN, McLaurin-Jiang S, Dotson AB, Coker-Schwimmer M, Baker B, Voisin C, Bann C, Gaynes BN . 2021. Maternal, fetal, and child outcomes of mental health treatments in women: A systematic review of perinatal pharmacologic interventions . Rockville, MD: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality , 451 (Comparative Effectiveness Review number 236)

Annotation: This systematic review assesses the benefits and potential harms of pharmacologic interventions for pregnant, postpartum, and reproductive-age women with a new or preexisting diagnosis of a mental health disorder. Based on data extracted from 164 studies that met the eligibility criteria, the review explores whether the benefits for the mother outweigh the potential risks that pharmacologic interventions pose to the fetus, including the risk of congenital anomalies. The document was prepared by the RTI International--University of Northat Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center for the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone: (301) 427-1364 Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov Available from the website.

Keywords: Comparative analysis, Congenital abnormalities, Literature reviews, Maternal health, Mental disorders, Mental health, Outcome evaluation, Perinatal care, Pharmacology, Risk factors, Women', s health

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials; Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2021. Integrating mental and primary care for perinatal people. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs,

Annotation: In this video presentation, Dr. Nancy Byatt shares information on MCPAP-- the Massachusetts Child Pscychiatry for Moms program--which provides consultation to health care providers regarding behavioral/mental health and safe medications for pregnant or breastfeeding patients. MCPAP also helps to connect people to support groups and community-based services and serves as an example of behavioral and primary care integration that can be replicated.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Behavioral medicine, Depression, Maternal health, Mental health, Model programs, Perinatal health, Primary care, Service integration

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs . 2021. Addressing mental health in BIPOC communities: Key cultural considerations for MCH. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs,

Annotation: This webinar focuses on maternal mental health within a cultural context, highlighting factors to consider when addressing the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in underserved communities. Culturally-sensitive approaches to MCH services that address postpartum depression and other mental health concerns are discussed by a variety of panelists during the hour-long video presentation.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Access to care, Cultural barriers, Cultural factors, Health equity, MCH services, Maternal health, Mental health, Postpartum depression, Racial factors, Risk factors, Service delivery

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. 2021. Maternal mental heallth systems change and IMD exclusion waivers . ,

Annotation: This webinar (1) describes how systems changes in maternal mental health and substance use disorders can lead to increases in diagnosis and treatment rates; (2) identifies opportunities to use the "Medicaid Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) Exclusion" to improve treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in MCH populations; and (3) discusses the process by which Virginia leveraged a Medicaid IMD waiver to improve access to care and treatment for reproductive age women.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Access to care, Maternal health, Medicaid, Mental health, Model programs, Postpartum depression, Substance abuse, Virginia

Shawky H; Orange County Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Collaborative Steering Committee. 2021. Orange County perinatal mental health toolkit. First 5 Orange County Children's and Family Commission , 54 pp.

Annotation: This Orange County, California toolkit contains local resources, evidence-based tools, and recommendations to assist healthcare and service providers in offering perinatal mental health education, preventive interventions, screening, referrals, and treatment for new and expecting parents. Mental health and substance use screening tools, referral pathways, links to online training for professionals , information on mental health insurance coverage, and parent handouts in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese are among the tools provided.

Contact: First 5 Orange County , Children & Families Commission of Orange County , 1505 E 17th Street, Suite 230, Santa Ana, CA 92705, Telephone: (714) 834-5310 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://first5oc.org/

Keywords: Community based services, Maternal mental health, Mental health services, Parent support services, Perinatal care, Perinatal services, Resources for professionals, Screening

National Confereence of State Legislators . 2021. State approaches to ensuring healthy pregnancies through prenatal care . Denver, CO: National Conference of State Legislators,

Annotation: This issue brief provides an overview of factors influencing prenatal care access and utilization, recommended models of care, and state-level solutions and policy options. Maternal depression, disparities in prenatal care, and federal policy are among the topics addressed. A description of federal resources is also provided.

Contact: National Conference of State Legislatures, 7700 East First Place, Denver, CO 80230, Telephone: (303) 364-7700 Fax: (303) 364-7800 Web Site: http://www.ncsl.org

Keywords: Access to health care, Health disparities, Maternal health, Maternal mental health, Prenatal care, Public policy , State initiatives

Suplee PD, Janke J (Eds). 2020. Compendium of postpartum care. (3nd ed.). Washington, DC: Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses,

Annotation: This compendium provides information for nurses caring for women, infants, and families in any setting: hospital, birthing center, ambulatory care, or home. This revised reference manual provides evidence-based information and guidelines for postpartum care, and addresses the physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs of mothers, newborns, and families for the first three months following birth. Topics include an overview of postpartum care in the hospital, discharge planning and health teaching, early home care of the mother and infant, reorganization of the family unit, and breastfeeding. Also featured are the latest research and practice recommendations for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder secondary to birth trauma. References and a glossary are provided along with continuing education forms, questions, a participant evaluation form, patient handouts, and a post-text answer key.

Contact: Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, 1800 M Street, NW, Suite 740S, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: (202) 261-2400 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.awhonn.org/

Keywords: Home visiting, Infant care, Maternal mental health, Mental health services, Nursing services, Postpartum care, Postpartum depression, Postpartum women, Puerperal disorders, Resources for professionals

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . 2020. Identifying maternal depression: Missed opportunities to support moms. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2 pp.

Annotation: This tip sheet describes how women with maternal depression can be identified and supported by states, health care providers, families, and friends. It defines and describes the symptoms of postpartum depression (vs. the "baby blues"); includes a map comparing rates of reported symptoms of depression after birth; and a link to additional resources.

Contact: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, Telephone: (800) 232-4636 Secondary Telephone: (888) 232-6348 E-mail: https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/forms/contact-us.html Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov

Keywords: Maternal mental health, Postpartum depression, Screening, Social support, Statistics

Patterson K (facilitator), Kearly A, Oputa J, Doyle M, Guille C. 2020. Telehealth approaches for treating SUD in maternal and child populations . [Washington, DC]: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; [Arlington, VA]: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, 52 m 09 s. (ASTHOConnects)

Annotation: This video recording aims to explore comprehensive telehealth applications in maternal and child healthcare, particularly focusing on four key telehealth modalities and their potential to enhance care delivery. The content examines how various states have implemented telehealth solutions for both provider training and improving behavioral health services for maternal and child populations. Through comparative analysis of traditional care versus telehealth approaches and discussion of adoption factors, the presentation demonstrates practical strategies for state and territorial health agencies to effectively leverage telehealth technology in improving behavioral health outcomes for mothers and children.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Telemedicine, Substance abuse, Maternal health, Infant health, Mental health, Staff development, Case studies, Substance abusing mothers, Montana, Connecticut, New Hampshire, South Carolina,

Taylor J, Novoa C, Hamm K, and Phadke S. 2019 . Eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality: A comprehensive policy blueprint . Washington, DC: Center for American Progress , 96 pp.

Annotation: This report provides a comprehensive policy framework aimed at eliminating racial disparities in both maternal and infant mortality. Considering solutions that address disparities in both of these areas, the authors outline specific strategies and provide recommendations to (1) improve access to health care and critical services; (2) improve the quality of care provided to pregnant women; (3) address maternal and infant mental health; (4) enhance supports for families before and after birth; and 5) improve data collection and oversight.

Contact: Center for American Progress, 1333 H Street, N.W., 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 682-1611 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.americanprogress.org

Keywords: , Access to health care, Barriers, Blacks, Data collection, Health equity, Infant mortality, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Mental health, Public policy, Quality assurance, Racial discrimination, Racial factors, Racism

O'Connor E, Senger C, Henninger M, Gaynes BN, Coppola E, Soulsby Weyrich M. 2019. Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: A systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 245 pp. (Evidence synthesis; no. 172; AHRQ publication; no. 18-05243-EF-1)

Annotation: This systematic review examines the benefits and harms of primary care-relevant interventions to prevent perinatal depression (i.e., depression during pregnancy and postpartum depression). Sources consulted for the review include MEDLINE, PubMED, PsyINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; references of relevant publications and government web sites were also searched. The review looked at publications published in English between January 1, 2012, and February 6, 2018. The evidence review concluded that counseling interventions can be effective in preventing perinatal depression; a variety of other intervention approaches provided some evidence of effectiveness, but lacked a robust evidence base and need further research.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone: (301) 427-1364 Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov

Keywords: Evidence based medicine, Intervention, Literature reviews, Maternal health, Mental health screening, Postpartum depression, Pregnancy, Women', s health

    Next Page »

The MCH Digital Library is one of six special collections at Geogetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. It is supported in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under award number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy with an award of $700,000/year. The library is also supported through foundation and univerity funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.