DOH Awards Grants To Expand Perinatal Mental Health Care In Washington

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health has announced grant awards to expand access to mental health care for individuals during pregnancy and after birth. The Perinatal Mental Health Access and Capacity Building grants will fund community organizations working to support perinatal women and other new parents, particularly in populations most affected by maternal mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety.

The grants reflect a growing recognition of behavioral health as a key component of maternal health and a commitment to addressing disparities in access to care across Washington.

Each recipient will receive $30,000 per year for up to three years. The funding, distributed through the Washington State Perinatal Collaborative, prioritizes organizations that focus on workforce development, Medicaid access and care coordination to create sustainable support systems for families.

“We know from the recent Maternal Mortality Review Panel Report that the majority of pregnancy-related deaths are behavioral health-related and most are preventable,” said Lacy Fehrenbach, Chief of Prevention, Safety and Health, Washington State Department of Health. “By investing in trusted community partners, DOH is finding new ways to help families get the mental health support they need during pregnancy and after birth.”

Shades of Motherhood Network will use its grant to strengthen perinatal mental health systems for Black, Indigenous and other families of color. As a newly approved Birth Doula Training Center, the organization will provide culturally responsive training for doulas and peer support specialists, with a focus on trauma-informed care, mentorship and workforce sustainability.

Northwest Center will apply the funding to enhance the Hospital-to-Home Systems Change program, which assists families with medically fragile newborns as they transition home from the neonatal intensive care unit. The grant will support training for home and community-based providers to better serve families facing elevated mental health risks following a NICU stay.

Center for Indigenous Midwifery will develop Spanish-language training materials to improve screening and treatment for Spanish-speaking immigrant women and new parents. The center was founded by Rhonda Lee Grantham, an Indigenous Midwife and Herbalist from the Cowlitz Nation.

First Five Fundamentals will expand the Family Connects Pierce County program to offer group-based support for birthing parents and infants. The funding will help sustain Baby Lounge gatherings and community peer groups such as Caminemos Juntos and Melanin & Milk, which provide education, screenings and referrals.

Washington United Migrant will train additional migrant promotoras in Pierce and Thurston counties to provide Spanish-language support and connect migrant families with mental health resources. The organization aims to improve care coordination and reduce barriers for communities often underserved by traditional health systems.

Benton-Franklin Health District will prioritize training for Spanish-speaking providers in perinatal mental health certification. The district will also expand its Perinatal Peer Support Groups and Fatherhood Classes, which focus on parenting skills, healthy relationships and emotional wellness for both birthing parents and fathers. Staff delivering services through the Nurse-Family Partnership program will receive additional training in counseling and referrals.