U.S Code last checked for updates: May 06, 2024
§ 247b–13a.
Screening and treatment for maternal mental health and substance use disorders
(a)
Grants
(b)
Application
To seek a grant under this section, an entity listed in subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. At a minimum, any such application shall include explanations of—
(1)
how a program, or programs, will increase the percentage of women screened and treated, as appropriate, for maternal mental health and substance use disorders in 1 or more communities; and
(2)
how a program, or programs, if expanded, would increase access to screening and treatment services for maternal mental health and substance use disorders.
(c)
Priority
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, give priority to entities listed in subsection (a) that—
(1)
are proposing to create, improve, or enhance screening, prevention, and treatment services for maternal mental health and substance use disorders in primary care settings;
(2)
are currently partnered with, or will partner with, one or more community-based organizations to address maternal mental health and substance use disorders;
(3)
are located in, or provide services under this section in, an area with disproportionately high rates of maternal mental health or substance use disorders or other related disparities; and
(4)
operate in a health professional shortage area designated under section 254e of this title, including maternity care health professional target areas.
(d)
Use of funds
The activities eligible for funding through a grant under subsection (a)—
(1)
shall include—
(A)
providing appropriate training on maternal mental health and substance use disorder screening, brief intervention, treatment (as applicable for health care providers), and referrals for treatment to health care providers in the primary care setting and, as applicable, relevant health paraprofessionals;
(B)
providing information on maternal mental health and substance use disorder screening, brief intervention, treatment (as applicable for health care providers) and referrals for treatment, follow-up support services, and linkages to community-based resources to health care providers in the primary care setting and, as applicable, relevant health paraprofessionals; and
(C)
to the extent practicable and appropriate, enabling health care providers (such as obstetrician-gynecologists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, pediatricians, psychiatrists, mental and other behavioral health care providers, and adult primary care clinicians) to provide or receive real-time psychiatric consultation (in-person or remotely), including through the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models (as defined in section 254c–20 of this title), to aid in the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women; and
(2)
may include—
(A)
establishing linkages with and among community-based resources, including mental health resources, primary care resources, and support groups;
(B)
utilizing telehealth services, including for rural areas and medically underserved areas (as defined in section 254c–14(a) of this title);
(C)
providing assistance to pregnant and postpartum women to receive maternal mental health and substance use disorder treatment, including patient consultation, care coordination, and navigation for such treatment;
(D)
coordinating, as appropriate, with maternal and child health programs of State, local, and Tribal governments, including child psychiatric access programs;
(E)
conducting public outreach and awareness regarding grants under subsection (a);
(F)
creating multistate consortia to carry out the activities required or authorized under this subsection; and
(G)
training health care providers in the primary care setting and relevant health paraprofessionals on trauma-informed care, culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and best practices related to training to improve the provision of maternal mental health and substance use disorder care for racial and ethnic minority populations and reduce related disparities in the delivery of such care.
(e)
Technical assistance
(f)
Dissemination of best practices
(g)
Matching requirement
(h)
Authorization of appropriations
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 317L–1, as added Pub. L. 114–255, div. B, title X, § 10005, Dec. 13, 2016, 130 Stat. 1266; amended Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title I, § 1111, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5640.)
cite as: 42 USC 247b-13a