As part of the Promoting Innovation in State MCH Policymaking (PRISM) project, implemented in partnership with the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP), NACCHO is interested in learning about, promoting, and supporting policies and practices that address mental health and substance use disorder within local health department (LHD) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs. This effort is part of a larger initiative to build the capacity of state Title V programs to advance state-level policy solutions to improve access to mental health and substance abuse services for reproductive-age women. This project focuses primarily on high-risk substances, defined as the use of illicit drugs and the non-medical use of prescription drugs that have a high risk for adverse outcomes, including dependence, morbidity, and mortality. High-risk substance use includes, but is not limited to, opioids (e.g., prescription, heroin, fentanyl), methamphetamine, and crack/cocaine.

If your LHD works to address this topic area, please consider responding to this brief query by March 6 so that we can better highlight the critical work of local health departments in this area. We are trying to make this request as low-barrier as possible, so with the exception of the contact information, no questions are required. As this query focuses on MCH programs, please share with an MCH Director or coordinator, if possible.

The responses will be used to develop an issue brief and other resources related to the intersection of maternal and child health and opioids and recommendations to advance mental health and substance use disorder policy within MCH programs. Please contact Samantha Ritter, Director of Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health, with any questions at sritter@naccho.org.