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  • 2025 Maternal Mental Health FORUM

    At the intersection of Policy, Payment & Practice

    The 2025 FORUM, was a smashing success. You can still register to access recordings of the event.

    Access the Recordings

  • 2024 Impact Report

    It has been an extraordinary year for the Policy Center.

    We are proud to continue serving as a recognized “system orchestrator” and “field catalyst,” driving transformative change and offering critical insights across sectors.

    2024 Annual Impact Report

  • Every Mother, Every Time

    It’s time for a U.S. healthcare system that detects and treats maternal mental health disorders

    We identify barriers, find solutions and catalyze lasting systems change

    Our Work

  • 20% of maternal deaths are due to suicide

    20% of the perinatal population will suffer from an MMH disorder

    Less than 20% will be screened or get the care they need

    Learn More

  • 96% of birthing-age, American women

    live in maternal mental health professional shortage areas

    this not only leaves mothers with no treatment options, but is also commonly noted by health insurance plans as the reason for their insufficient provider networks

    Learn More

pol·i·cy

A rule or plan of action, adopted and followed by a group, organization, or government

We are a policy think tank and field catalyst. We inform and facilitate systems change to improve women’s mental health during the childbearing years so that mothers, children, and families have the best opportunity to thrive.

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key players

We directly serve, cross-sector leaders & change agents in the U.S.

Policy Makers

·Law Makers
·Regulators Addressing
·Health Policy

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Providers

·Obstetricians/Midwives
·Hospital/Health Systems

Learn More

Payors

·Insurers
·Health Plans
·Employers
·Medicaid Agencies

Learn More

Affecting all mothers

Maternal Mental Health Disorders are the most common complications of pregnancy

They impact, on average:

up to

1 in 5

Of the expecting and postpartum mothers in the U.S., mothers of color suffer at higher rates.

96% of the perinatal population

lives in a Maternal Mental Health Shortage Area.

Identifying the most vulnerable mothers without access to care

Read the Report

The Latest Blogs & Reports

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  • FORUM Afterthoughts: Concerns Over Medicaid Cuts  – Part 2 of a 4 Part Series
    Throughout the FORUM and, in particular, during a panel moderated by Julie Rover of KFF’s “What the Health Podcast,” the threat to Medicaid was discussed. Among the panelists was Elizabeth Wright Burak, a senior fellow at the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, who warned that there is no way that the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives can cut $880 billion without cutting Medicaid….
    Read More
  • The Role of Medicaid in Advancing Obstetric Provider Maternal Mental Health Screening and Treatment
    Untreated maternal mental health (MMH) disorders are a leading cause of preterm birth and maternal mortality, making obstetric providers essential to early intervention. In 2023, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released guidelines for MMH screening, diagnosis, and treatment. With 40% of births covered by Medicaid — and most enrollees in Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) — state Medicaid agencies can support ACOG’s recommendations by updating MCO contracts and policies. An analysis of 41 states found 9 include MMH-related provisions for OBs (AZ, CA, IN, MI, NM, NV, PA, WA, WI), with CA, PA, WA, and WI leading in Medicaid MMH screening rates….
    Read More
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training & events

  • June 12, 2025

    Perinatal Mental Health 101

    Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them,…

    Learn More

  • July 23, 2025

    Perinatal Substance Use Disorders 101

    Join this complementary introduction to perinatal SUD training hosted by the Policy…

    Learn More

  • September 4, 2025

    Perinatal Mental Health 101

    Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them,…

    Learn More

  • October 1, 2025

    Perinatal Substance Use Disorders 101

    Join this complementary introduction to perinatal SUD training hosted by the Policy…

    Learn More

  • December 11, 2025

    Perinatal Mental Health 101

    Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them,…

    Learn More

  • April 10, 2025

    Salud Mental Perinatal 101 (complementario) Presentado en Español

    Conozca los diversos trastornos de salud mental materna, las diferencias entre ellos,…

    Learn More

  • April 24, 2025

    Supported Mothers, Thriving Children: Connecting Maternal Health and Child Wellbeing

    Join our CEO as she speaks on this webinar hosted by National…

    Learn More

  • April 30, 2025

    Perinatal Substance Use Disorders 101

    Join this complementary introduction to perinatal SUD training hosted by the Policy…

    Learn More

  • May 15, 2025

    Congressional Briefing: MMH State Report Cards

    In this Congressional briefing we'll cover the 2025 Maternal Mental Health state…

    Learn More

  • June 12, 2025

    Perinatal Mental Health 101

    Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them,…

    Learn More

  • July 23, 2025

    Perinatal Substance Use Disorders 101

    Join this complementary introduction to perinatal SUD training hosted by the Policy…

    Learn More

  • September 4, 2025

    Perinatal Mental Health 101

    Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them,…

    Learn More

  • October 1, 2025

    Perinatal Substance Use Disorders 101

    Join this complementary introduction to perinatal SUD training hosted by the Policy…

    Learn More

  • December 11, 2025

    Perinatal Mental Health 101

    Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them,…

    Learn More

  • April 10, 2025

    Salud Mental Perinatal 101 (complementario) Presentado en Español

    Conozca los diversos trastornos de salud mental materna, las diferencias entre ellos,…

    Learn More

  • April 24, 2025

    Supported Mothers, Thriving Children: Connecting Maternal Health and Child Wellbeing

    Join our CEO as she speaks on this webinar hosted by National…

    Learn More

  • April 30, 2025

    Perinatal Substance Use Disorders 101

    Join this complementary introduction to perinatal SUD training hosted by the Policy…

    Learn More

  • May 15, 2025

    Congressional Briefing: MMH State Report Cards

    In this Congressional briefing we'll cover the 2025 Maternal Mental Health state…

    Learn More

  • June 12, 2025

    Perinatal Mental Health 101

    Learn about the various Maternal Mental Health Disorders, the differences between them,…

    Learn More
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Helping mothers in need

The Policy Center Welcomes Your Support!

Please consider a financial donation to assist us in our efforts to impact policy and delivery system reform in both the public and private sectors.

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