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Enhancing NICU Mental Health Support: March of Dimes and Elevance Health Foundation Collaboration

March of Dimes, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advocating for the health of mothers and infants, has recently announced an exciting expansion of its partnership with Elevance Health Foundation. This collaboration is set to roll out a new initiative aimed at bolstering the mental health support provided to families with infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

The New Initiative

This ambitious initiative comes with a three-year grant totaling $879,000, focusing on the ongoing operations of the March of Dimes NICU Family Support® program. This program will not only enhance existing services but also introduce new ones, emphasizing mental health screening, care coordination, and continuous emotional support for families navigating the NICU experience. The expanded service will be available in selected regions, including California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, and Virginia.

In addition to enhancing the existing programs, this new funding will see the implementation of Mammha, an innovative digital platform specially designed to identify symptoms of postpartum depression and related mental health issues. The platform aims to facilitate connections between families and care coordinators, ensuring ongoing support for up to a year following the infant’s birth.

Addressing Emotional Challenges

As Kelly Ernst, the Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer of March of Dimes, articulated, many families facing the NICU journey often deal with not just medical uncertainties but also substantial emotional and psychological burdens. By integrating mental health screenings and care coordination into the NICU Family Support program, this initiative aims to provide comprehensive care addressing the emotional needs of families during this challenging time. Ernst emphasized the importance of equipping families with the necessary tools and community support while they navigate one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.

The enhanced NICU Family Support® initiative will include:

• - Postpartum Mental Health Screenings: Assessing the mental well-being of NICU parents to provide timely interventions.
• - Care Coordination: Connecting families screening positive for mental health concerns with dedicated care coordinators for follow-ups and ongoing support.
• - Culturally Responsive Resources: Educational materials will be made available in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility across diverse communities.
• - Support Groups: Encouraging connections among parents with similar experiences and offering follow-up support for a year post-birth.
• - Staff Education: Empowering NICU staff with necessary training to implement family-centered care practices effectively.

Commitment to Maternal and Infant Health

Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., Chief Health Officer at Elevance Health Foundation, expressed the organization’s commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. By enhancing mental health resources tailored for families with infants in the NICU, the partnership aims to provide essential support when it is most needed. Agrawal highlighted the importance of delivering comprehensive care not just at the medical level but also addressing families’ emotional needs during what is undeniably a challenging period.

The collaboration between March of Dimes and Elevance Health Foundation has been ongoing since 2010, with more than $11 million in funding directed towards advancing significant maternal and infant health programs across the nation. Together, they have:

• - Increased access to evidence-based practices, such as group prenatal care and smoking cessation programs.
• - Supported initiatives aimed at improving medical quality by eliminating unnecessary inductions and cesarean sections.
• - Created culturally appropriate educational resources for both families and healthcare professionals.

Moreover, this partnership has put a spotlight on the pressing issue of maternity care deserts, advocating for solutions at the state level. Community engagement has also been a significant aspect of their collaboration, drawing support through volunteerism and local leadership roles in various March of Dimes activities.

Looking Ahead

With this latest phase centered on integrating mental health support directly within NICUs, the initiative aims to make critical resources available to families exactly where they are needed most. As March of Dimes continues to lead the charge for the well-being of mothers and their children, the enhanced support for mental health signifies a vital step forward in ensuring that families receive the comprehensive care they deserve during their most vulnerable moments.

For more information about March of Dimes and their initiatives, visit marchofdimes.org.

About March of Dimes

March of Dimes has been a pioneer in maternal and infant health since 1938, advocating for research, education, and support to grant every family a fair chance for a healthy start.

About Elevance Health Foundation

Elevance Health Foundation focuses on improving public health through strategic partnerships and community-based programs emphasizing maternal and infant health, behavioral health, and health equity. For more insights into their efforts, visit elevancehealth.foundation.