Mississippi
Updated: June 2026
- Name of MHI Grantee Site: Mississippi Public Health Institute
- State: Mississippi
- Organization Type: Non-Profit Organization
- HRSA Grant Service Areas/Priorities: Urban, Rural
- MHI Key Contact: Amy Winter
- MHI Key Contact Email: awinter@msphi.org
- MHI Grantee/Taskforce Website: www.maternalhealthms.org
Current Innovations:
|
Innovation Description |
Category Topic(s) |
|---|---|
|
Centering Pregnancy (Group Prenatal Care Model). |
Community Engagement – Patient Education & Engagement |
|
Maternal Mental Health Innovation (PSI Partnership) – increasing community clinical linkages and maternal mental health resources. |
Community Engagement – Patient Education & Engagement Community Engagement – Public Awareness & Education Campaigns Workforce Training – Community-Based Care, Doulas, & CHWs |
|
OB Emergency Department Boot Camp trainings and Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) trainings in rural hospitals. |
Workforce Training – Simulations & OB Emergency Preparedness Community Engagement – Rural Engagement |
|
Medicaid Redetermination & Presumptive Eligibility (passage of legislation removing proof-of-income requirement, outreach through baby showers, health fairs, and community events, ~60 personal stories from mothers to inform advocacy and planning). |
Workforce Training – Maternal Health Policy Advancements Community Engagement – Community Led & Culturally Rooted Approaches |
|
Verified directory of perinatal mental health providers (Medicaid-accepting, telehealth-capable). |
Community Engagement – Public Awareness & Education Campaigns Direct Clinical Care – Mobile & Remote Care Models |
|
Maternal mental health and OB Warning sign awareness at Making an Impact in the Lactation Community (MILC) Leagues. |
Community Engagement – Patient Education & Engagement Workforce Training – Community-Based Care, Doulas, & CHWs Workforce Training – Mental Health & Substance Use Trainings |
Resources
- Coming soon!
MHI Success Stories
In September 2025, the Mississippi Public Health Institute hosted a transformative Postpartum Support International 3-day training event in Flowood, MS. This training was made possible through scholarships for 120 health care professionals and has equipped attendees with critical skills in perinatal mental health. Attendees included social workers, pharmacists, breastfeeding support counselors, nurses, advanced practice nurses, licensed professional counselors, physicians, and dietitians. After having gone through the 3-day training, they are now poised to sit for the perinatal mental health certification exam.
In collaboration with the Mississippi Public Health Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center Child Access to Psychiatry Programs for Moms (CHAMP for Moms), and Postpartum Support International, their efforts were evident in making this event a huge success. Together, they have strengthened the state’s capacity to address perinatal mood and anxiety disorders by training professionals to recognize symptoms and connect mothers to local and national resources. This initiative not only enhances the professional capabilities of health care providers but also directly impacts the well-being of mothers and families across Mississippi. By increasing the number of trained professionals, the state is better equipped to identify and support mothers experiencing perinatal mental health challenges, fostering healthier communities.
Looking ahead, the Mississippi Public Health Institute plans to sustain this momentum by offering additional scholarships through UMMC CHAMP for Moms. These scholarships will support trained professionals in obtaining their perinatal mental health certification. The framework and success of this initiative present a scalable model that can be adopted and expanded by other states, amplifying its impact nationwide.
