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Meadowlark program expands prenatal behavioral‑health screening across Montana
Summary
The Montana Healthcare Foundation described Meadowlark, a team‑based program screening pregnant patients for substance use and mental‑health conditions; Meadowlark care now operates at 19 of 24 delivering hospitals, with tribal partnerships in seven of eight reservations and early data showing increased screening and reduced newborn removals where established.
Tracey White of the Montana Healthcare Foundation told the State Tribal Relations Committee the Meadowlark Initiative pairs prenatal providers with behavioral‑health clinicians and care coordinators and screens all pregnant patients for substance use, depression and anxiety. Patients who screen positive are immediately offered evaluation and treatment options and connected to a community care team.
The foundation said Meadowlark is available in 19 of the state’s 24 delivering hospitals and that seven of Montana’s eight tribal nations have access to a Meadowlark site or a near‑by program. Blackfeet and Rocky Boy were highlighted as examples where tribal health departments employ care coordinators and behavioral‑health staff who coordinate with hospital OB providers to bring prenatal care and follow‑up services to tribal families.
White said early evaluation of Meadowlark sites showed higher rates of routine screening (about 80% for depression/anxiety and 71% for substance use in some cohorts) and that sites with established teams reported reductions in newborns removed at birth. The initiative is jointly funded in part by HRSA and the Montana Healthcare Foundation; staff said the next steps include seeking sustainable Medicaid reimbursement for the model and conducting a broader outcome evaluation.
Committee members asked about coordination with Doula programs, Medicaid, rural health transformation funds, and school‑based health services; White recommended follow‑up briefings from OPI and the foundation’s school‑health program officers. No formal action was taken.
