HCA's new provider toolkit supporting perinatal mental wellness
The Health Care Authority (HCA) is launching a new toolkit, titled "Navigating the Perinatal Journey: Mental Wellness Tools for Every Step," which is designed to support providers and families throughout the perinatal period.
Developed in collaboration with the Department of Health, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, University of Washington’s Perinatal Psychiatry Consultation Line (PCL) and PERC Center, and the Washington State Perinatal Collaborative, this comprehensive toolkit helps front-line providers identify and respond to perinatal behavioral health concerns with compassion and confidence. Designed for flexibility, this toolkit can be used as a complete collection or as individual sections organized by topic. Each section stands alone to support focused learning and practice change while contributing to the broader goal of improving perinatal mental wellness statewide.
The toolkit features practical screening tools, treatment algorithms, and evidence-based guidance on:
- Perinatal anxiety
- ADHD during pregnancy and postpartum
- Maternal suicide and risk assessment
- Maternal sleep
- Behavioral health integration in primary care
This new guide emphasizes early intervention, culturally responsive care, and coordination across systems to ensure families receive the right care at the right time. By improving awareness and access to mental health support, HCA believes that this new toolkit will help strengthen the health and resilience of parents and infants across Washington State.