What’s it all about?

This community-based project was a collaborative process between the community (you) and ACET, Inc. on behalf of the MN Department of Human Services (DHS). The project gathered feedback from community members on behavioral health services for pregnant and parenting people. DHS then used that feedback to better expand their women-specific and family-centered behavioral health program services.

We wanted to know:

  • Where and in what ways are pregnant and parenting people accessing behavioral health services in Minnesota?

  • What are pregnant and parenting people’s experiences?

  • What are opportunities to improve engagement in this new model that will help pregnant and parenting people and their families thrive?

Who may participate?

Community members from each of the following groups participated:

  • African-American and Black U.S.-born women

  • East African women

  • Indigenous/Native American women

  • Latina women

  • LGBTQ+ people

  • Southeast Asian women

  • Women in rural areas

What happened next?

Community members registered to participate in a series of three Community Meetings with 6-8 other people from similar backgrounds (the groups listed above). In these meetings, community members shared their experiences and identified ways to improve behavioral health programs for pregnant and parenting people.

Community leaders then summarized and shared this information in two public forums with organizations working to improve behavioral health services. The feedback from the community member meetings and public forums was shared with DHS in a final report written by ACET, Inc. DHS will use this information to change what kinds of services are provided with the goal of improving care for pregnant and parenting people.

Community Group Meeting 1: Welcome and Introductions

(June 13, 2023 - July 6, 2023)

  1. Relationship-building activity

  2. Participants talked about why they joined the meeting and shared their perspectives

  3. Participants shared goals for the project and timeline

  4. Participants were asked: “How has the lack of health services impacted your life?”

Community Group Meeting 2: Deeper Dive

(June 26, 2023 - July 11, 2023)

  1. Participants continued to discuss the problem and its effects on them and their community

  2. Participants were asked:

    • “What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the behavioral health services you have interacted with?”

    • “How have behavioral health services been involved with the care you have received as a pregnant or parenting person?”

  3. Participants discussed how behavioral health services do or do not improve their quality of life.

Public Forum 1: Reflection on Strengths and Weaknesses

July 19, 2023

Note: Community Group members are not required to attend this public forum. 

  1. Community Leaders presented a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of behavioral health services from each Community Group in a large public meeting.

  2. Attendees reflected on the strengths and weaknesses identified by each community, and provided their own thoughts as well.

Community Group Meeting 3: Recommendations

July 22, 2023 - August 29, 2023

  1.  Participants discussed the feedback from the Public Forum on strengths and weaknesses.

  2. Participants identified solutions and opportunities to improve behavioral health services.

Public Forum 2: Reflection on Recommendations

September 20, 2023

Note: Community Group members are not required to attend this public forum. 

  1. Community Leaders presented a summary of the recommendations identified by each Community Group in a large public meeting.

  2. Attendees reflected on the recommendations from each community, and provided their own thoughts as well.

Do I get paid for my time?

Yes! Each Community Group participant will receive:

  • Free meals (if the meeting is in-person).

  • A $37.50 check or gift card for each of the 3 Community Group Meetings.

  • A $30 childcare stipend for each of the 3 Community Group Meetings.

What are my roles and responsibilities as a community group member?

To participate Community Group Meetings you will be asked to:

  • Participate in all 3 meetings

  • Provide feedback on health services and share stories experiences

  • Support a respectful environment where all voices are heard

  • Protect the privacy of other group members

For more information about confidentiality and use of your information, click here.