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Maternal Mental Health Roundtable a Success

On Maternal Health Awareness Day, Thriving PA, along with our partners from the Maternity Care Coalition, March of Dimes and the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN), hosted a roundtable conversation on the state of maternal mental health. Gisele Fetterman delivered an inspirational keynote address, while experts, key stakeholders and individuals with lived experiences discussed the state of maternal mental health in Pennsylvania and explored solutions to improve access to promote better outcomes for moms and birthing people. The roundtable was an excellent starting conversation to better understand how Thriving PA can support advancing policy solutions to improve maternal mental health in Pennsylvania.  

Thriving PA and PHAN are conducting a statewide survey and convening focus groups to gather input from moms and birthing people on their experiences seeking different types of care following the birth of a baby. Birthing people who had a baby within the last 6 years are encouraged to take the brief survey. The deadline is March 1st. Results from the survey will be shared during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week in May to inform maternal mental health policies for Thriving PA. 

Kati Brillhart Named to Pennsylvania Government Relations Power 100 List  

Government Affairs Director Kati Brillhart has made City and State PA's Government Relations Power 100 list. Kati started with us in 2019 and has worked tirelessly advocating in the areas of children’s health care, home visiting, K-12 education, and early care and education. Her constant presence in the Capitol and vast knowledge of the legislative process has led to historic budget wins and legislative victories like the Childhood Blood Lead Testing Act, Act 118 of 2022 (a law expanding efforts to find supportive families and caregivers for teens in foster care), federal MIECHV reauthorization and more.  

Kati has been doing this work for years, coming to us after working for five years in the health care industry as a policy analyst for AmeriHealth Caritas. She focused on Pennsylvania health policy and legislation impacting the Commonwealth’s Medical Assistance and Managed Long Term Services & Supports programs. Prior to her work in health care, Kati worked as a reporter and editor for Pennsylvania Legislative Services. 

We're grateful for the incredible work Kati has done for kids and families in the Capitol, and we look forward to seeing what she can accomplish next. Join us in congratulating Kati on this well-deserved honor.  

Data Did You Know?

In Case You Missed It...

• The Biden Administration announced the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) is May 11th. With the impact of the Medicaid redetermination process looming, check out a recent blog from our friends at the Georgetown Center for Children and Families and what this could mean for kids. 
• A recent blog post from the Annie E. Casey Foundation featuring PPC Policy Director Rachael Miller highlights our advocacy efforts to enact Act 118 of 2022, which increases permanency and successful adult transition for older foster youth. 
• While uncertainty prevails in the state House, the Republican Caucus recently named committee chairs. Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford) was named Republican Chair of the Education Committee and Rep. Lynda Culver (R-Northumberland) is Republican chair of the Children and Youth Committee. However, Culver is running for a vacant Senate seat in a special election being held today, so her time as chair will likely be cut short. Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford) are again chairing the Health Committiee and the Insurance Committee, respectfully. House Democrats have yet to list committee chairs. 
• Following a drawn-out process to elect Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the U.S. House, majority chairs for congressional committees have been named. Committee chairs set the policy agenda for their respective committees and wield legislative power by determining which bills can be debated and brought up for a vote. Pennsylvania Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson was chosen to lead the House Agriculture Committee, which will take the spotlight this year as they craft the massive 5-year farm bill that includes important provisions related to nutrition such as the WIC program. 
• The Omnibus year-end spending package includes $6 billion in funding for the WIC program, as well as an extension of the enhanced fruit and vegetable benefits through the end of the fiscal year. In addition, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service is updating the current WIC food package with science-based recommendations to enhance access to healthier options, such as fruits, vegetables, seafood, and whole grains, and by boosting benefit levels and providing more choice. Stakeholders can comment on the the proposed changes until February 21st, through the National WIC Association’s comment platform.