Massachusetts is proposing $2.25 million to expand postpartum home visits and maternal mental-health screening statewide. The plan would dedicate $2 million to scale the Welcome Family program from about 3,000 to roughly 68,000 births annually and $250,000 to MCPAP for Moms. Officials say earlier screening and follow-up can identify mood and anxiety disorders soon after birth and improve referrals to care.
Massachusetts Proposes Free Postpartum Home Visits for Every New Parent, Expands Early Mental-Health Screening
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Massachusetts officials are proposing a $2.25 million package to strengthen postpartum support across the state by offering free home visits to every new parent and expanding early screening for maternal mental health concerns.
Funding And Program Plans
Governor Maura Healey's administration will seek $2.25 million, with $2 million earmarked to scale the Department of Public Health's Welcome Family program statewide. The program currently serves about 3,000 births annually; the proposal would extend services to roughly 68,000 births each year, making a complimentary postpartum home visit available to all new parents in Massachusetts.
During home visits, trained nurses provide newborn-care guidance, screen parents for mood and anxiety disorders, connect families with community resources, and arrange follow-up support as needed.
The remaining $250,000 would go to the Department of Mental Health's Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms (MCPAP for Moms). If approved, that funding would support statewide tracking of postpartum psychosis data, creation of a clinical education team for mental-health providers, and broader education for families and clinicians on early warning signs and when to seek help.
Why This Matters
Early screening and timely referrals during the postpartum period can substantially improve outcomes for both parents and infants. Welcome Family reported completing 1,620 postpartum depression screenings in 2025; 208 of those screenings were positive, and every person who screened positive was referred to services.
The proposal comes amid increased public attention to postpartum psychosis and gaps in maternal care following a high-profile criminal trial in Massachusetts. Advocates and officials say statewide home visits and expanded screening could help identify serious mental-health issues earlier and connect families with necessary supports before conditions worsen.
Context And Related Measures
The Healey administration has pointed to prior maternal health steps, including 12 months of MassHealth postpartum coverage, expanded access to doula services, and strengthened postpartum mental-health screening requirements. Related research and reporting have also highlighted environmental and clinical factors that affect maternal mental health—for example, studies linking air pollution to postpartum depression risk and hospital efforts to reduce toxic exposures in newborn units.
What’s Next
The proposal must be approved through the state budgeting and legislative process. If funded, the expanded Welcome Family program and MCPAP for Moms enhancements would aim to make postpartum screening and support more consistent and accessible across Massachusetts.
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