YALE, DELAURO ANNOUNCES $2.5 MILLION GRANT FOR MOMS PARTNERSHIP

New Haven, CT— Yale University and Congresswoman DeLauro (CT-3) were joined by New Haven agencies and community groups today to announce a $2.5 million grant to help fund the work of the New Haven Mental Health Outreach for Mothers (MOMS) Partnership.

The MOMS Partnership is a coordinated effort between the Yale Department of Psychiatry, the City of New Haven, and a network of 513 New Haven mothers. This community-academic partnership works to meet the needs of mothers struggling with mental health issues. Mothers in New Haven who have been trained in research methods and mental health outreach will work as Community Mental Health Ambassadors to lead the efforts of the MOMS Partnership throughout the New Haven.

"Over the next five years, we will implement evidenced-based mental health interventions in community settings,' said Megan Veneema Smith, assistant professor of psychiatry and principal investigator on the grant. "This work would not be possible without the dedication and passion of our community partners."

"I am so pleased that New Haven MOMS has been awarded this grant. With these additional resources, this invaluable partnership can continue to expand and refine its efforts to help mothers suffering from mental illness in Greater New Haven. The unique and innovative work being done by MOMS has been recognized by the Office on Women's Health as a model for the nation with this grant—and it is a testament to the valuable work mothers, doctors, and public health advocates are doing here," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "I am so proud to see it happening right here in our hometown. I look forward to seeing the wonderful work being done here continue, and for our local mothers and families to receive the mental health care they need."

The New Haven MOMS Partnership consists of the Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic, New Haven Healthy Start, New Haven Health Department, All Our Kin, The Diaper Bank, The State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and the Housing Authority of New Haven. The MOMS Partnership also has an advisory committee of over 40 state and local leaders.