The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is awarding Perinatal Mental Health Access and Capacity Building grants to community organizations to improve mental health care access for families during and after pregnancy. Each recipient will receive $30,000 annually for up to three years. This initiative aims to address behavioral health-related issues, as many pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

Among the recipients is the Shades of Motherhood Network, which will enhance perinatal mental health systems for families of color through workforce training. The Northwest Center will expand support for families transitioning from neonatal intensive care, while the Center for Indigenous Midwifery will develop Spanish-language training materials to aid immigrant families. First Five Fundamentals will provide support groups and health screenings for birthing parents in Pierce County.

Washington United Migrant will train community health workers to assist migrant families, and the Benton-Franklin Health Department will focus on training Spanish-speaking providers and expanding peer support programs. Grant recipients were chosen by a review committee from the Washington State Perinatal Collaborative’s Perinatal Mental Health Taskforce and experienced birth workers.