Building, strengthening, and sustaining the perinatal neonatal quality collaborative of rhode island:expanding maternal mental health and unmet social needs screenings in underserved communities - the…

Building, strengthening, and sustaining the perinatal neonatal quality collaborative of rhode island:expanding maternal mental health and unmet social needs screenings in underserved communities - the perinatal neonatal quality collaborative of rhode island (pnqcri) was formed in 2020 in response to the continued recognition of maternal morbidity and racial disparities, socioeconomically challenged state regions, and those experiencing mental health challenges. Pnqcri continues its initial formation and recognizes that achieving health equity requires action, leadership, inclusion, cross-sectoral collaboration, and shared responsibility within hospital networks, providers, community advisors, and healthcare teams. Pnqcri ensures that its work is coordinated by engaging and collaborating with a broad range of partners, including other state agencies, public and private insurers, family organizations, healthcare systems, clinical providers, community-based organizations, and other rhode island department of health (ridoh) programs. Pnqcri continues to develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders throughout the state. The opportunity to provide this type of maternal health improvement infrastructure through the lens of eliminating disparities and disease burdens can positively change the health of future generations of women and birthing people in rhode island. This component a proposal seeks to fund the initial permanent infrastructure and measurable/equitable/sustainable maternal health quality improvement program development for the perinatal neonatal quality collaborative of rhode island. The primary outcomes of this funding opportunity are to 1) expand mental health and unmet social needs screening 2) engage communities and patient voices in quality improvement work and 3) utilize innovative community health approaches to enhancing maternal care and outcomes.