For this initiative, mental health intervention researchers from the University of Michigan School of Social Work are partnering with the Adrian Public Schools Head Start Early Childhood Programs, located in Lenawee County, MI. Head Start has placed increasing emphasis on identifying unmet mental health needs among the families they serve and conduct depression screening as part of their standard practice. Head Start staff have consistently found high rates of depression among the mothers of young children and pregnant women they serve. Adrian Public Schools Head Start Early Childhood Programs currently serves 178 families. The program has the capacity to serve 246 families and anticipates increasing their numbers as the COVID-19 pandemic improves. Recent research suggests that about 20% of mothers of young children in the U.S. screen positive for depression, and as many as one-third of mothers of young children living in rural areas screen positive for depression. Therefore, we expect to serve or impact approximately 70 women through this initiative.
