Many families across Arizona continue to struggle to access adequate support after childbirth. Significant gaps remain in postpartum and maternal mental health services during a period that is crucial for the well-being of both parents and their infants.

To help bridge these gaps, the It Takes a Village initiative by 4th Trimester Arizona is working to expand access to care by training, certifying, and contracting additional community-based doulas. These professionals provide support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, helping bring essential services directly into local communities.

Backed by funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation's Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant, the program is strengthening Arizona's network of community-based maternal care providers while increasing access to postpartum support services. In 2025, 4th Trimester Arizona received a $100,000 grant aimed at helping doulas complete the training and certification processes required to serve families enrolled in AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program.

So far, the initiative has achieved several milestones:

"The support we've received has enabled the It Takes a Village initiative to evolve from an idea into an operational program by creating the infrastructure community-based doulas need to serve AHCCCS members," said Dr. Jennie Bever, CEO of 4th Trimester Arizona. "The current healthcare system does not provide enough support for mothers. By helping doulas navigate reimbursement and credentialing pathways, we're making trusted, relationship-centered care more accessible."

The initiative arrives at a particularly important time for maternal health in Arizona:

Community-based doulas often act as trusted advocates and support partners throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum months. They help families understand available options, identify potential concerns, and access appropriate healthcare services.

"The strength of community-based doulas lies in the trust they build," Bever added. "Families are often more comfortable discussing concerns with someone who shares or understands their cultural background, language, life experiences, and community environment."

For doulas themselves, the program is creating more sustainable opportunities to provide care to underserved families.

"This incredible initiative has given me a sustainable pathway to continue my work as a community doula," said Brionna Giles, a certified doula and founder of Your Birth Story Birth Services. "I'm excited to extend that support and compassion to the families I serve."

AZ Blue continues to invest in maternal health initiatives across Arizona through its community outreach programs, philanthropic foundation, and Medicaid division, AZ Blue Health Choice.

If you'd like, I can also adapt this into a more journalistic news style, a press release format, or an SEO-optimized article version.

Click here to know more.

Missouri has made notable progress in addressing maternal mental health challenges, according to the 2026 maternal mental health report cards, which assess 27 indicators across four key areas: screening and identification, access to providers and treatment, policy and reimbursement, and parental support services.

"Although significant work remains, Missouri's transition from a failing grade to a passing evaluation in maternal mental health support marks a major achievement," said Dr. Kimberly Brandt, a perinatal psychiatrist at Mercy. "As Missouri's largest provider of obstetric care by volume, Mercy has played an important role in driving this positive momentum."

A number of innovative programs developed by Mercy, which combine behavioral health and women's healthcare services, have contributed to the state's improved outcomes. These initiatives include:

"Mercy delivers more babies in Missouri than any other healthcare system, and we recognize our responsibility to support women throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, especially when they are most vulnerable," said Dr. Dan Jackson, a maternal-fetal medicine physician and addiction medicine specialist at Mercy.

Mercy Hospital St. Louis records the highest number of births among hospitals in Missouri. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of maternal and neonatal services, from low-intervention birthing options and adult intensive care for unexpected complications to an integrated children's hospital featuring a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit. This extensive continuum of care enables families to remain together while receiving specialized treatment.

Mercy is among the 15 largest healthcare systems in the United States and has been recognized by NRC Health as the nation's leading large health system for patient experience. The organization provides care to millions of patients annually and operates one of the country's largest and highest-performing Accountable Care Organizations in terms of quality and cost efficiency.

Mercy's integrated, multi-state healthcare network includes 55 acute care and specialty hospitals focused on areas such as cardiac care, pediatrics, orthopedics, and rehabilitation, along with urgent care centers, imaging facilities, pharmacies, and more than 1,000 physician practices and outpatient locations. Supported by over 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 50,000 caregivers, Mercy serves communities across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, while also maintaining clinics, outpatient services, and outreach programs in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. During fiscal year 2025, Mercy contributed more than $500 million in free care and community benefits, including charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid services.