Presenter: Dr. Chris Derauf

Our first session in the LINK ECHO Series set the stage by introducing key recommendations from the Task Force on Pregnancy Health and Substance Use. This foundational session explored emerging best practices, identified systemic challenges, and highlighted strategies for improving care coordination and outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the current landscape and the collaborative efforts needed to drive impactful change across Minnesota.

Session Objectives

• Describe how current Minnesota laws criminalize prenatal substance use and the negative impact on maternal and child health outcomes.
• Identify key legal reforms recommended by the MDH Task Force to shift toward supportive, trauma-informed care models.
• Understand how punitive laws disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other families of color, and explore advocacy strategies for legislative change.

Presenter: Dr. Adrienne Richardson & Hannah Burton

This session focused on the importance of universal screening for substance use using validated tools, emphasizing consistency and accuracy in identifying patient needs. It also explored best practices for conducting toxicology testing only when medically indicated, highlighting ethical considerations and patient-centered approaches. Participants gained practical insights from subject matter experts on implementing these practices within their healthcare settings.

Session Objectives

• Differentiate between screening and testing for substance use in pregnancy, and explain why universal screening with validated tools is recommended.
• Review commonly used validated screening tools (e.g., 5Ps, CRAFFT, NIDA Quick Screen) and how to implement them equitably in perinatal care.
• Explore how evidence-based screening, not testing, promotes better outcomes, reduces stigma, and connects individuals to appropriate care.

Presenter: Dr. Frances Prekker

This session provided a broad overview of toxicology screening with a deeper focus on Child Protective Services (CPS) reporting processes and related considerations. Designed for a statewide audience engaged in perinatal mental health and substance use disorder care, participants explored best practices and challenges related to CPS reporting, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and shared learning.

Session Objectives

• Explain the medical and legal complexities of perinatal toxicology testing, including limitations of various testing methods and implications for CPS reporting.
• Analyze ethical considerations and clinical decision-making related to substance use disclosure, testing, and family impact.
• Apply best practices to ensure toxicology testing is used equitably, transparently, and only when medically necessary, while aligning with evolving state laws.

Presenter: Mothers First (Tracy Jones, Luna Wright, Kourtney Eichten) and Project Child (Rebekah Butz and Makela Roberts-Virden)

This panel-style session highlighted community insights on the role of child welfare in family preservation and recovery. Featuring representatives from two different Minnesota counties, the discussion explored variation in local processes, approaches to collaboration with perinatal and behavioral health systems, and strategies to support families affected by substance use. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how child welfare intersects with recovery efforts and heard examples of innovative practices across the state.

Session Objectives

• Increase understanding of voluntary harm-reduction approaches to supporting pregnant and parenting individuals with a history of substance use/substance use exposure.
• Highlight innovative county-led models (Project CHILD and Mothers First) that prioritize family preservation and culturally responsive care.
• Identify strategies for proactive collaboration with child protection services and community partners to reduce unnecessary and punitive system involvement while promoting trust.

Presenter: Dr. Leslie Carranza

This session explored the role of person-centered communication in supporting pregnant and parenting individuals during childbirth and unexpected events. Participants discussed strategies to foster trust, shared decision-making, and effective communication across care settings, while examining how these approaches can shape engagement, patient experience, and recovery outcomes. Designed for a multidisciplinary audience, the session offered practical insights to strengthen communication and care coordination.

Session Objectives

• Define key principles of person-centered communication and their role in supporting pregnant and parenting individuals during childbirth and during unexpected events.
• Identify strategies to foster trust, shared decision-making, and effective communication during clinical encounters and care transitions.
• Examine how communication approaches can influence engagement, care experiences, and recovery outcomes for patients and families.

Presenter: JuTone Lajoie BSW, MSW, LICSW

This session highlighted local-level strategies for developing and implementing Plans of Safe Care to support pregnant and parenting people affected by substance use. A featured Minnesota county representative shared their approach to creating effective, family-centered plans that promote coordination across healthcare, child welfare, and community support systems. Participants learned about practical tools, collaborative workflows, and lessons learned that can help improve outcomes for families and ensure compliance with federal requirements. This session was ideal for teams working to build or strengthen cross-sector approaches to supporting families impacted by substance use.

Session Objectives

• Describe current challenges and strategies in coordinating care for pregnant and postpartum individuals with substance use disorders.
• Identify key roles and responsibilities across disciplines that contribute to effective care planning and family-centered support.
• Discuss real-world examples of care coordination models that improve outcomes for both birthing people and infants.

Presenter: Tolu Odebunmi, MBBS, MPH

This session provided a comprehensive review of current recommendations on when to screen for perinatal mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health conditions during pregnancy and postpartum. Participants gained an understanding of the optimal timing for screenings- such as during prenatal visits, postpartum check-ins, and pediatric follow-ups- and how these touchpoints align with national guidelines and best practices. The session explored practical strategies for integrating screening into existing workflows, ensuring consistency across providers, and reducing missed opportunities for early identification and intervention. This discussion was valuable for teams seeking to refine their screening protocols and enhance continuity of care for birthing people and families.

Session Objectives

• Identify recommended time points for perinatal mental health screening during pregnancy and postpartum, based on national guidelines and best practices.
• Describe strategies for integrating mental health screening into routine care workflows to ensure timely identification and follow-up.
• Apply lessons learned to refine or enhance existing screening protocols within participants’ own clinical or community settings.

Presenter: Sogand Ghassemi, MD, Lisa Cross, LMFT, PMH-C, and Jackie Fobanjong, MS

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are among the most common complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period, yet they often go unrecognized and untreated. In this session, experts from PrairieCare will explore the impact of PMADs on mothers, infants, and families, and discuss system-level approaches to improving identification, reducing stigma, and strengthening support pathways. Participants will gain practical strategies to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and build more responsive, supportive care environments.

Session Objectives

• Explain the prevalence and contributing risk factors for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders among women.
• Describe the short- and long-term impacts of untreated PMADs on mothers, infants, and families.
• Apply best practices for screening, supporting, and referring individuals experiencing PMADs within their healthcare or community setting.