Our work shaping and reporting on national mental health policy is made possible through a 2023-2024 capacity grant from the Perigee Fund.
In January 2024, the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act was introduced in Congress. The Act would establish a pilot program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute newborn supply kits through community-based organizations and hospitals.
This program seeks to relieve the financial stress associated with the $15,000+ (on average) it takes to support a newborn in the first year of life by providing items like diapers, blankets, and wipes. It also provides resources for the mother, including postpartum pads, information about postpartum supports, and information on the maternal mental health hotline. The pilot program will focus on rural areas and care deserts in diverse parts of the U.S. As the Policy Center’s risk and resources map affirms, individuals who live in rural areas and maternal (mental) healthcare deserts are often at an increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.
Addressing the financial stress may have a positive effect on all members of the family, including improving the future mental health of the newborn. Financial and economic stress is associated with increased risk of maternal morbidity.
The legislation was championed by The Shades of Blue Project, a community-based organization in Houston, TX, and a national Black-led maternal mental health advocacy organization.
