Chapter 12C. Perinatal Mental Health Task Force.

§ 7–1234.01. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) "Certified midwife" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 3-1201.01(1B-i).

(2) "Certified nurse-midwife" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 3-1201.01(1C).

(3) "Certified professional midwife" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 3-1201.01(1D).

(4) "Culturally congruent" means care or maternity care that is in agreement with the preferred cultural values, beliefs, worldview, language, and practices of the health care consumer and other stakeholders.

(5) "Doula" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 3-1201.01(6C).

(6) "Home visiting program" means an entity that:

(A) Supports expectant parents and parents or legal guardians with infants, toddlers, and children between 3 and 5 years of age; and

(B) Provides access to health, social, and educational services through weekly or monthly home visits to promote positive child health and development outcomes, including healthy home environments, healthy birth outcomes, and a reduction in adverse childhood experiences.

(7) "Perinatal period" means the period of pregnancy and one year thereafter during which time perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are typically diagnosed.

(8) "Postpartum recovery" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 2-1515.51(5).

(9) "Task Force" means the Perinatal Mental Health Task Force established by § 7-1234.02.

(10) "Vulnerable populations" means populations at risk of or living with undiagnosed, underserved, untreated, or undertreated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

§ 7–1234.02. Perinatal Mental Health Task Force.

(a) There is established a Perinatal Mental Health Task Force to provide comprehensive policy recommendations for the improvement of perinatal mental health in the District. The Task Force shall study and make recommendations regarding:

(1) Vulnerable populations and risk factors for perinatal mental health disorders that may occur during the perinatal period;

(2) Evidence-based and promising practices for those with or at risk of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including related clinical and nonclinical care such as peer support and community health workers through the public and private sectors that promotes access to care, including screening, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, recovery, and prevention services;

(3) Barriers to access to care during the perinatal period for birthing people and their partners and identifying evidence-based and promising practices for care coordination, systems navigation, and case management services that address and eliminate barriers to accessing care and care utilization for birthing people and their partners;

(4) Evidence-informed practices that are culturally congruent and accessible to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities that exist in addressing prevention, screening, diagnosis, intervention and treatment, and recovery from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders;

(5) National and global models that successfully promote access to care, including screening, diagnosis, intervention, treatment, recovery, and prevention services for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in the pregnant or postpartum person and non-birthing partner;

(6) Community-based or multigenerational practices that support individuals and families affected by a maternal mental health condition;

(7) Successful initiatives regarding workforce development encompassing the hiring, training, and retention of a behavioral health care workforce as it relates to perinatal mental health, including maximizing non-traditional behavioral health supports such as peer support and community health workers;

(8) Models for private and public funding of perinatal mental health initiatives; and

(9) A landscape analysis of available perinatal mental health programs, treatments, and services, and notable innovations and gaps in care provision and coordination, encompassing the ability to serve the diversity of perinatal experiences of unique populations, including Black birthing people, Hispanic birthing people, pregnant and postpartum people of color, perinatal immigrant populations, adolescents who are pregnant and parenting, LGBTQIA+ birthing people, child welfare involved birthing people, disabled, justice involved, incarcerated, and homeless birthing people, and their non-birthing partners.

(b) By October 1, 2023, the Task Force shall submit to the Mayor and the Council a comprehensive report setting forth its findings and providing recommendations regarding legislation, policy initiatives, and the funding requirements of initiatives to address perinatal mental health needs in the District.

(1) The Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services or his or her designee;

(2) The Director of the Department of Behavioral Health or his or her designee;

(3) The Director of the Department of Health or his or her designee;

(4) The Director of the Department of Health Care Finance or his or her designee;

(5) The Chairperson of the Council's Committee on Health or his or her designee; and

(6) The Chairperson of the Council's Committee on Human Services or his or her designee; and

(7) The following members appointed by the Director of the Department of Health Care Finance:

(A) At least 4 members that are members of the community or advocates and meet at least one of the following standards:

(i) An individual with current or past perinatal mood and anxiety disorders;

(ii) A caregiver or partner to those with current or past perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; or

(iii) An advocate informed about perinatal mental health in the District, who is also a beneficiary of perinatal mood or anxiety disorder treatment;

(B) At least one representative from a managed care organization contracted in the District;

(D) A registered nurse experienced in providing perinatal mental health services in the District;

(E) A licensed pediatrician experienced in providing perinatal mental health services in the District;

(F) An obstetrician experienced in providing perinatal mental health services in the District;

(G) A licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist with experience providing perinatal mental health services in the District;

(H) A doula;

(I) One of the following:

(i) A certified midwife practicing in the District;

(ii) A certified nurse-midwife practicing in the District; or

(iii) A certified professional midwife practicing in the District; and

(J) A representative of a home visiting program operating in the District.

(d) In constituting the Task Force, the Mayor should consider geographic and socioeconomic representation.

(e) The Mayor shall designate 2 co-chairs of the Task Force, one each from the government and non-government sectors.

(f) Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment to the position that became vacant.

(g) The Department of Health Care Finance shall publish on its website a public listing of Task Force members, meeting notices, and meeting minutes.

(h) The Task Force shall dissolve after submitting the report required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.