From Vision to Village: Creating Perinatal Support in Your Community

About Session

Session Description: 

This session explores the critical connection between community organizing and perinatal mental health through the Roots Birth Story. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are deeply influenced by social isolation, access to resources, and the presence—or absence—of supportive networks. Roots Family Collaborative emerged as a grassroots response to these gaps, built by parents, providers, and advocates who recognized the need for accessible, relationship-centered support during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood.

Participants will learn how Roots translated lived experience and community-identified needs into sustainable programs that reduce isolation, normalize perinatal mental health challenges, and improve outcomes for parents and caregivers. The session will highlight strategies for building trust, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and centering parent voices in program design and decision-making. Attendees will also explore how community organizing can serve as a protective factor for perinatal mental health by strengthening connection, increasing access to care, and creating responsive systems of support.

The session will include a hands-on component designed to help participants connect with others in their region, reflect on local opportunities and challenges, and identify potential next steps to strengthen perinatal support systems where they live and work. This session is designed to inspire providers, organizers, and advocates to leverage collective action and community-driven solutions to support perinatal mental health in their own communities.

Learn more about Roots by visiting their website: https://www.rootsfamilycollaborative.com/

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

1. Understand the role of community organizing in supporting perinatal mental health.
2. Identify key elements of building sustainable, community-based perinatal support systems.
3. Explore programs and initiatives that resonate within participants’ own communities through hearing the Roots Birth Story.
4. Gain practical strategies for fostering collaboration among providers and community partners, with time to connect in person and identify next action steps.
5. Identify next action steps for strengthening perinatal support in their own communities.