State Leaders Launch Rural Maternal Mental Health Learning Collaborative for 2026

The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (the “Policy Center”) has unveiled a new six-month learning collaborative designed for state agency leaders focused on advancing maternal mental health initiatives under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program.

As the first $10 billion in RHT funding is distributed for 2026, states are facing mounting urgency to roll out effective approaches that close persistent rural gaps in maternal health access and outcomes. Rates of maternal mental health conditions—including substance use disorders—continue to climb nationwide and remain the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. Women living in rural “maternity care deserts” are particularly vulnerable, confronting elevated risk alongside limited availability of obstetric and behavioral health services.

Informed by guidance previously developed with the National Governors Association, the collaborative will support states in identifying innovative, scalable approaches to expand access to and coverage for evidence-based programs and care systems. Participating state teams will take part in six monthly, expert-facilitated group sessions with peers from roughly 10 states, in addition to receiving at least two customized technical assistance consultations aligned to each state’s existing programs and delivery models.

Throughout the collaborative, states will concentrate on high-impact system strategies, including:

“With fewer than nine months left to show meaningful progress, states that have made maternal health and mental health a priority within their RHT programs are operating on a tight timeline,” said Joy Burkhard, Executive Director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.

“This collaborative is designed to fast-track action, giving state leaders practical, evidence-based tools to move from strategy to execution. Our focus is on aligning workforce capacity, infrastructure, and payer systems so women can access high-quality care when and where it’s needed most.”

Enrollment is limited to state government officials, with each state selecting two to three participants who have authority over program development and implementation.

The collaborative will begin in June, and applications will be accepted through March 31. Additional details are available online.

The Policy Center has an established history of turning policy ideas into real-world solutions through its Government Agency and Nonprofit Fellowship programs, which are delivered through learning collaboratives. These initiatives have produced measurable, scalable results across states—supporting maternal mental health quality improvement efforts, bipartisan policy development, and progress in screening, reimbursement, care coordination, and treatment access.

The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health is a national nonprofit think tank dedicated to improving maternal health and mental health outcomes. Through research, policy expertise, and training, the organization works to close care gaps and ensure that mothers and families across the country have the support they need to thrive.

Contact:
Kathryn Santoro
Policy Director, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
408770@email4pr.com
310-955-1081