Perinatal Strong Program

During the pandemic, Pettaway Pursuit Foundation (PPF) saw a sharp increase in the number of perinatal mental health challenges experienced by its members. Members were waiting an average of 12-16 weeks to be seen by a Therapy provider to assess these mental health needs. Once seen, they often were not receiving appropriate treatment from Clinical perinatal mental health providers. Additionally, providers who were evaluating the patients were not providing culturally congruent care, further complicating the treatment plan of the affected individual. PPF has made it a mission to impact this immensely important field with our Perinatal Strong Program. 

The Perinatal Strong Program (PSP) provides services from a systemic, social justice informed perspective. Staff will be supervised and trained by a Perinatal mental health certified, Licensed Clinical Social worker. PSP treatment providers have the ability to utilize micro, mezzo and macro level skills to enhance the well-being of those they serve. However, as mentioned, there is a lack of consistent, adequate education in the arena of Perinatal mental health services, specifically providers that are trauma informed and culturally aware. This program serves to enhance the well-being of PPF participants as well as to create training, and ongoing educational opportunities for generalist and clinical social work students and practitioners dedicated to serving those with the most disparate Maternal-Infant Health outcomes. Our program will utilize generalist and clinical level interns to facilitate the mental health care of women in their perinatal period with such needs.

PSP will use an integrative, evidence-based Perinatal mental health emotional care model, highlighting  Perinatal resource navigation, group support and one on one therapy.  Options for both in person and virtual tele-health will be available, making this program accessible for all. Our  approach will offer inclusive, knowledgeable, expert care for women and their families at a vulnerable time. Our Perinatal Strong program will balance Trauma informed care with evidence based therapy approaches to provide a holistic and cohesive treatment plan. This specialized care will yield stronger, more successful families.

The Perinatal Strong program is a comprehensive mental health option directly targeting the inequities within the perinatal mental health field. Our data collection practices will serve to track these maternal mental health outcomes, proving value and worth in this integral program. The ability to offer such services to the vulnerable populations we serve is groundbreaking and will greatly impact the lives of those supported by these efforts.

Sincerely,

Shanna M. Williams, LCSW, MEd

Perinatal Support Professional

S.W. Doula, LLC, Founder

Mental Health Therapist

Full Circle Doula-Birth Companion (SMC)

Certified Lactation Counselor

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