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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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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 21 through 40 (899 total).

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.

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.

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

Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative. 2024. Perinatal mental health conditions resource workbook. Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 12 pp.

Annotation: This resource workbook for healthcare providers addresses integrating mental health care into obstetric settings to improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum people. It presents evidence-based guidance including universal screening recommendations for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder at multiple points during the perinatal period, with particular emphasis on screening for bipolar disorder prior to initiating antidepressant treatment due to risks of mania, psychosis, and suicide. The workbook advocates for behavioral health therapy as the priority treatment for mild to moderate conditions and stresses the importance of trauma-informed care, anti-racism training, and addressing social drivers of health to create safe environments for disclosure and treatment. It includes the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Perinatal Mental Health Conditions patient safety bundle components organized into readiness, recognition and prevention, response, reporting and systems learning, and respectful care categories. The publication highlights Missouri data showing mental health conditions as the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths from 2018 to 2020, with suicide deaths doubling and all mental health-related deaths found to be preventable. Resources include screening tools, provider toolkits, educational materials, and information about the Missouri Maternal Health Access Project, a statewide perinatal psychiatry access program.

Keywords: Mental health, Missouri, Obstetrical care, Perinatal care, Service integration, State Initiatives

National Governors Association; New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy . [2023]. Strengthening youth mental health: A governor's playbook . Washington, DC: National Governors Association, 40 pp.

Annotation: This resource serves as a tool to help states develop and implement impactful policy solutions that strengthen youth mental health. It provides states with actionable solutions that can reduce the risk of mental health conditions, help youth build resistance, increase awareness and reduce mental health stigma, ensure access and affordability of quality treatment and care, and train and support caregivers and educators.

Keywords: Adolescent mental health, Health promotion, Interventions, Mental health services, Policy development, State initiatives

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . 2023. Perinatal mental health toolkit . Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,

Annotation: This toolkit provides actionable information, algorithms, and clinical guidance to support detection, assessment, and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Included is a summary of perinatal mental health conditions; patient screening and treatment guidance; a how-to guide on integrating mental health care into obstetric practice; and educational resources for providers, patients, and families. The toolkit was developed by the UMass Chan Medical School and reviewed by members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Maternal Mental Health Expert Work Group.

Keywords: Mental health, Obstetrical care, Perinatal care, Service integration

University of California, San Francisco; University of Minnesota. 2023. Promoting and caring for young adult mental health: Challenges and opportunities for improvement . San Francisco: University of California , 4 pp.

Annotation: This brief presents national findings on young adults' mental health status and utilization of mental health care; summarizes the developmental factors important for positive mental health; highlights strategies for evidence-based mental health promotion and treatment; and offers guidance on how to build public awareness and engagement around mental health detection and treatment.

Keywords: Adolescents, Health promotion, Mental health, Statistical data, Young adults

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . 2023. Improving access to children’s mental health care. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ,

Annotation: This online resource presents strategies to help connect families to children's mental health care; addresses gaps in the mental health workforce; and investigates how funding issues affect mental health care. It also addresses social determinants of health and how they affect mental health care; offers guidance on identifying children who need more support; and provides tools to help support healthy child development and the well-being of families.

Keywords: Access to health care, Barriers, Child mental health, Health equity, Policy, Services for families

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.

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

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; Bright Futures . 2023. Essential elements for developmental and behavioral/social/emotional screening using Bright Futures in Title V programs . Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 11 pp.

Annotation: This tip sheet for Title V agencies outlines five essential elements for implementing developmental and behavioral health screening programs within health supervision visits. It provides guidance on promoting equity in screening, planning responses to results, communicating with families, handling confidentiality, and using appropriate screening tools and schedules based on Bright Futures guidelines. The document includes state program examples and emphasizes the importance of establishing clear protocols for referrals, particularly for non-clinical staff working in community settings. [Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration]

Keywords: Developmental screening, Guidelines, Mental health screening

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.

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

Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. 2023. Universal screening for maternal mental health disorders. Los Angeles, CA: Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, 17 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief provides an overview of universal screening for maternal mental health disorders, which are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth. The brief outlines the importance of screening in identifying at-risk mothers and enabling early treatment. It discusses commonly recommended screening tools for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and psychosis, as well as considerations for screening in racially and ethnically diverse populations. The document reviews recommendations from professional organizations on when and how often screening should occur, highlighting the role of obstetricians as primary screeners. Barriers to screening and follow-up care are addressed, including mental health provider shortages, reimbursement challenges, and the bifurcated mental health system. The brief also covers recent developments such as the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage and the creation of a HEDIS quality measure to track screening rates.

Keywords: Maternal health, Measures, Mental disorders, Mental health, Resources for professionals, Screening

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). 2023. Screening and diagnosis of mental health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum. Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,

Smith S, Granja MR, Wright Burak E, Johnson K, Ferguson D. 2023. Medicaid policies to help young children access infant-early childhood Mental health services: Results from a 50-state Survey. New York, NY: National Center for Children in Poverty,

Annotation: This report presents results of a 50-state policy survey conducted by the National Center for Children in Poverty, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy Center for Children and Families, and Johnson Policy Consulting. The survey asked state Medicaid agency leaders about Medicaid policies related to screenings and services designed to identify, prevent, and treat infant-early childhood mental health problems. The results and recommendations presented in this report can help mental health and early childhood leaders take stock of current Medicaid policies and their potential to support infant-early childhood mental health.

Keywords: Access to care, Child health, Health policy, Infant health, Medicaid, Mental health, Public policy, Screening, State surveys, Young children

Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission. 2022. Report to the Congress on Medicaid and CHIP. Washington, DC: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, 196 pp.

Annotation: This report focuses on aspects of Medicaid's mission to ensure access to high-quality health services and the program's future as a major health care payer driving health system change toward value. The report focuses on topics of interest to Congress, including Medicaid’s responsiveness during economic downturns; concerns about high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality; improving hospital payment policy for the nation's safetynet hospitals, and the integration of care for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

Keywords: Access to health care, Adolescents, Children, Children's Health Insurance Program, Costs, Financing, Health care reform, Health services delivery, Medicaid, Medications, Mental health, Oral health, Organizational change, Pregnant women, Reimbursement, Systems development

Hostetter M, Klein S. 2022. Filling gaps in access to mental health treatment for teens and young adults. New York, NY: Commonwealth Fund, 1 item

Annotation: This electronic resources examines ways to promote resilience among all young people and connect those who need help with mental health treatment and other supports. The web feature explores care models tailored to the unique needs of young people, including clinics and youth centers that offer a range of clinical and social supports, and therapeutic tools that can be used by non-specialists or young people themselves. All of the models presented seek to lower barriers to getting help, teach young people about mental health, and empower them to become part of the solution.

Keywords: Adolescent mental health, Child mental health, Mental health, Mental health services, Young adults

Ferguson D, Smith S, Granja M, Lasala O, Cooper H. 2022. Child welfare and early intervention: Policies and practices to promote collaboration and help infants and toddlers thrive. New York, NY: National Center for Children in Poverty , 19 pp.

Annotation: This brief examines promising strategies used in three states (Texas, Colorado, and Rhode Island) to address the developmental and mental health needs of infants and toddlers involved in Child Welfare (CW). The brief focuses primarily on the roles of state and local CW and Part C of the federal Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that establishes requirements for providing Early Intervention (EI) services to infants and toddlers with disabilities. Additional support from other sectors and settings (e.g., mental health and home visiting) are also highlighted.

Keywords: Child development, Children, Early intervention, Ethnic groups, Infants, Low income groups, Mental health, Model programs , Poverty, State programs, Toddlers

Viswanathan M, Wallace I, Cook Middleton J, Kennedy SM, McKeeman J, Hudson K, Rains C, Vander Schaaf EB, Kahwati L. 2022. Screening for depression, anxiety, and suicide risk in children and adolescents: An evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Task Force . Rockville, MD: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 547 pp. (Evidence Synthesis 2021; AHRQ Publication No. 22-05293-EF-1)

Annotation: This review examines the research evidence on the benefits and harms of screening, accuracy of screening, and benefits and harms of treatment for suicide risk, anxiety, and depression in children and adolescents. Intended to help healthcare decision makers (patients and clinicians, health system leaders, policy makers, and others) make well-informed decisions, the review is based on research conducted by the RTI International--University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center under contract by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality AHRQ).

Keywords: Adolescents, Anxiety, Children, Depression, Mental health, Quality assurance , Research reviews, Screening, Suicide

Center for Mental Health Services, U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2022. National guidelines for child and youth behavioral health crisis care. Rockville, MD: U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, 64 pp.

Annotation: These guidelines offer best practices, implementation strategies, and practical guidance for the design and development of services that meet the needs of children, youth, and their families experiencing a mental health crisis. The document provides strategies for different populations,, including young children, transition-age youth and young adults, youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, LGBTQI+ youth, and rural and frontier communities. Each section includes a summary of implementation strategies, as well as links to programs and additional information. An appendix provides a table of core crisis principles.

Keywords: Adolescents, Children, Families, Federal programs, Mental health, Mental health services, Substance abuse treatment, Suicide, Suicide prevention

Schober M, Harburger DS, Sulzbach D, Zabel M. 2022. A safe place to be: Crisis stabilization services and other supports for children and youth. Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, 29 pp. (Technical assistance collaborative paper; no. 4)

Annotation: This paper reviews the need for and components of crisis stabilization services for children, youth, young adults, and their families. Crisis stabilization services focus on de-escalation and stabilization within the home and community. The paper provides recommendations for policy makers, practitioners, and thought leaders. This document can be used in conjunction with the National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis.

Keywords: Adolescent mental health, Child mental health, Crisis intervention, Families, Mental health, Mental health agencies, Mental health services

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.

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

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The MCH Library is one of six special collections at Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. The library is supported through foundation, private, university, state, and federal funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Georgetown University or the U.S. Government. Note: web pages whose development was supported by federal government grants are being reviewed to comply with applicable Executive Orders.