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  4. Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services (DHSPS)

Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services (DHSPS)

Our division:

  • Leads and guides national efforts to improve the health outcomes of mothers and women
  • Directs our work before, during, and after pregnancy to enhance the well-being of mothers and babies
  • Focuses on reducing the differences in rates of death between racial and ethnic groups

Programs and initiatives

Programs we manage fall into seven categories:

Key program accomplishments

Healthy Start initiative

  • 101 Healthy Start awardees in community settings provide screening, parenting, and health education to birthing people, fathers/partners, infants, and children up to 18 months.
    In 2021, awardees reported that:

    • 91% of participants did not smoke/use tobacco in their third trimester
    • 99% of participants were screened for depression
    • 87% of women participants attended a well-woman visit
    • 78% of infant participants were ever breastfed
    • 84% of infant participants were placed to sleep following safe sleep practices
  • Between April 2019 and March 2021, 93 Healthy Start sites hired 194 maternal health clinicians/providers to increase access to services and improve those services.
  • As of June 2022, 173 individuals received doula training to increase the availability of doula services in Healthy Start service areas.

Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (now AIM Capacity in fiscal year 2023)

Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression and Related Behavioral Disorders

  • For Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, the MDRDB program completed 1860 provider encounters to improve maternal mental health through consultation and care coordination support services for treatment and referral of pregnant and postpartum women with behavioral health conditions.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

  • Since its launch on Mother’s Day 2022, the Hotline’s professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to almost 12,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggled with mental health concerns, and their loved ones.

Contact us

Lee Wilson, Director

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