Funded through a subaward to Roseman University of Health Sciences from The State of Nevada, Division of Public and Behavioral Health. The publication was made possible by the State Pilot Grant for Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women (PPW-PLT) grant #H579TI086447-02 awarded by the State of Nevada DHS DPBH Bureau of Behavioral Health, Wellness and Prevention.
Study Period: April 2025 -
September 2025
Advancing Perinatal Behavioral Healthcare in Nevada
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based approach for identifying and addressing substance use during pregnancy, yet its implementation across hospital and primary care and OB GYN settings remains inconsistent. Variability in screening practices, referral pathways, and provider training has limited the effectiveness of SBIRT in identifying pregnant women at risk for substance use disorders and connecting them to timely, appropriate care. In addition, there is limited synthesis of provider and stakeholder perspectives on current barriers and facilitators to implementation in Nevada.
The Solution
This project was commissioned in order to address the gaps mentioned above by reviewing and synthesizing relevant policy, practice, and data reports related to perinatal behavioral health. The findings will inform actionable policy and practice recommendations that support effective and equitable PBH care and resource coordination in Nevada across clinical and community settings.
The Results
This project examined the intersections between healthcare, behavioral health, child welfare, infant and early childhood systems in Nevada, identifying barriers to care that must be addressed to improve outcomes for perinatal women, their infants, and families. The outcome was a detailed study report of the PBH scope in Nevada, informed by an extensive literature review of policy documents, a geomap of Nevada’s maternal health (perinatal behavioral health) resources and qualitative interviews with national subject matter experts, state agency representatives, healthcare providers, and women with lived experience of perinatal behavioral health conditions. These findings informed the high-level recommendations for outlined in the report.
