Yale University, city agencies, and community groups will work together to address mental health needs of New Haven mothers thanks to a five-year, $2.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health.
The grant made to the Yale Department of Psychiatry will help fund work of the New Haven Mental Health Outreach for Mothers, or MOMS Partnership. A press conference to announce the grant will take place in New Haven on Friday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m., Quinnipiac Terrace, 2 Williamson Drive.
With a network of 513 mothers living in New Haven, the community-academic partnership works to meet complex needs of mothers who may be struggling with mental health issues. Mothers in New Haven who have been trained in research methods and mental health outreach—called Community Mental Health Ambassadors—will lead the efforts of the MOMS Partnership throughout the city.
The MOMS Partnership represents a coordinated effort by the Yale Department of Psychiatry, the City of New Haven and the New Haven mothers themselves.
“Over the next five years, we will implement evidenced-based mental health interventions in community settings,’ said Megan Veneema Smith, assistant professor of psychiatry and principal investigator on the grant. “This work would not be possible without the dedication and passion of our community partners.”
The New Haven MOMS Partnership consists of the Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic, New Haven Healthy Start, New Haven Health Department, All Our Kin, The Diaper Bank, The State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and the Housing Authority of New Haven.
The MOMS Partnership also has an advisory committee of over 40 state and local leaders.