Upcoming Funding and Advocacy Opportunities in Maternal Mental Health
Several funding and advocacy opportunities have come across our desk at MMHLA. Peruse and take action!
Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunity | Health Resources & Services Administration
The Health Resources and Services Administration has posted two forecasts of Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) related to maternal health. Both forecasts indicate the NOFOs will be released on May 1 with a June 1 due date for applications. Please note the short turnaround!
NOFO: Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Program (MMH-SUD).
The MMH-SUD Program helps improve maternal mental health and substance use disorder outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women by providing obstetric, primary care, and other maternal health providers with timely access to teleconsultation, training, and care coordination support including resources and referrals. The NOFO includes information about funding for two additional programs. Eligible applicants include state governments (including state agencies and state-supported public medical schools) and Native American tribal organizations and governments.
Click here to learn more about this funding opportunity.
NOFO: Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3).
The Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3) will provide grants to develop and implement community-based produce prescription programs and related nutrition education for maternal populations at risk of poor health outcomes due to nutrition insecurity and other health-related factors. The NOFO includes information for 13 grants of $500,000 each. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, small businesses, institutions of higher learning, and city, town, county, and state governments.
Click here to learn more about this funding opportunity.
TAKE ACTION: Check out the forecasts to learn when the NOFOs are released on or around May 1.
Funding Opportunity | Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health
The Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health is offering an opportunity for those who need mental health care during pregnancy or postpartum to apply for funding.
The Georgia Fund offers fully funded therapy to anyone who lives in Georgia and is pregnant or up to one year postpartum, or who has experienced a perinatal loss in the past year. Priority is given to those who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid.
Click here to learn more about this funding opportunity.
TAKE ACTION: Proposals can be submitted starting May 1, 2026 at 12pm EST.
Funding Opportunity | California Community Innovation Pilot Awards (CIPA) Program
The University of California, San Francisco Center for Health Equity (UCSF-CHE), in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), is excited to announce the launch of the Community Innovation Pilot Awards (CIPA) Program.
These awards will support innovative, community-based models across California that aim to improve Black maternal and infant health by reducing chronic stress, addressing neighborhood conditions, and expanding access to high-quality, respectful care.
During the initial two-year funding cycle, the CIPA program will support 4 to 5 community-based organizations (CBOs) in California that are addressing maternal and infant health disparities through culturally congruent, community-centered perinatal programs and services for pregnant and postpartum Black women, other Black birthing people, and their families. Awards will range from $160,000–$200,000 per year (not to exceed $200,000 annually, including indirect costs).
Click here to learn more about this funding opportunity.
TAKE ACTION: Deadline to submit proposals is May 29, 2026 at 12pm PST.
Advocacy Opportunities
Event | Maternal Child Health Appropriations Alliance (MCHAA) Advocacy
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) launched the Maternal and Child Health Appropriations Alliance (MCHAA, pronounced "matcha") in 2025 to bring together organizations focused on ensuring robust and sustained federal investment in maternal-child health.
Events:
Meeting on Federal FY27 Budget Intel and Strategy:
May 6 | 10am - 2pm EST
This extended retreat-style meeting will include a guest speaker or two to help inform FY27 appropriations strategy. In addition, there will be a sharing of federal updates and intel and discussion of FY27 beyond strategy.
Hill Meetings:
May 7
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
TAKE ACTION: Email Sherie Lou Santos, AMCHP Chief of Policy, Government Affairs, and Communications for more information at: ssantos@amchp.org.
Event | Chamber of Mothers Power Breakfast
Chamber of Mothers' annual Power Breakfast convenes a high-impact audience of decision-makers and influential voices, including leaders from the public and private sectors, Members of Congress, and national and local media.
Event Details:
May 13 | 8:30am – 10am EST
Library of Congress, The Member’s Room, 10 1st Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
TAKE ACTION: RSVP by May 1 to rsvp@chamberofmothers.com.
Event | Listening to Mothers Survey
Join the National Partnership for Women & Families, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, and MomsRising for a first look at the results from the fourth national Listening to Mothers Survey — the largest and most comprehensive survey of the views and lived experience of mothers.
This in-person event marks the start of a national rollout, with additional findings, regional events, and opportunities for engagement to follow in the months ahead.
Event Details:
June 9 | 10am – 12pm EST
Kaiser Family Foundation’s Barbara Jordan Conference Center, 1330 G Street NW, Washington, D.C.
TAKE ACTION: Register HERE by June 1.
Event | National Perinatal Network Hill Day
Join the NICU Parent Network, parent leaders, and advocates for their annual Hill Day. Meet with policymakers to champion critical issues impacting NICU families — from parental presence and mental health resources to donor milk, NICU leave, and stillbirth research.
Event Details:
June 10-11
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
TAKE ACTION: Register HERE. Use code: MMHLAFriend for $10 off the early bird ticket price.
Comment | Extension for the TRICARE Military Childbirth & Breastfeeding Support Demonstration Project
Share your thoughts about a program that covers doulas and lactation support for TRICARE beneficiaries.
The TRICARE Military Childbirth & Breastfeeding Support Demonstration Project provides access to childbirth and breastfeeding support professionals — including doulas, lactation consultants, and other trained providers — for our nation’s military families.
Access to these professionals has a well-documented impact on reducing interventions, increasing breastfeeding success, and improving overall satisfaction with the birthing experience.
For military families, who often face unique stressors such as relocation, deployment, and limited support networks, these services are not simply beneficial — they are critical.
Click here to learn more about this advocacy opportunity.
TAKE ACTION: Submit your public comment by May 11, 2026 to show support for extending the Demonstration Project through 2031.
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