Strengthening Maternal and Infant Mental Health



A mother's mental health and a baby's well-being are deeply connected, yet too many families struggle to access the support they need during the earliest years of a child's life and beyond.

Three organizations—Changent, Thrive Center and March of Dimes Innovation Fund—are working to strengthen maternal and infant mental health at every stage. From in-home support for new parents to innovative whole-family care models to emerging mental health solutions, these organizations represent the kind of coordinated, strategic investment that can move this field forward.

By expanding reach, building evidence, catalyzing innovation and investing in new approaches, these organizations help ensure that mothers, children and families can access the care they need not only to navigate difficult moments, but to thrive.

Ranchers Supporting Rural Economies and Ecological Health in Montana

The grasslands of Montana and the Northern Great Plains are among the most unique and threatened ecosystems on earth.

The Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (RSA) and Winnett ACES stand at the forefront of land preservation through collaboration and innovation, working to protect this vital landscape and the livelihoods it supports.

Within the last year, a historic land donation to RSA and the launch of the Montana Ranch Boot Camp have marked significant steps forward for both the land and the next generation of ranchers.

Shepherd Center and the Blank Family Residences: A Community of Care

The Arthur M. Blank Family Residences at Shepherd Center provide more than temporary housing—they offer families a true home away from home while loved ones recover from life-changing injuries.

Opened in 2024, the 16-story facility features 165 fully furnished, accessible apartments and amenities designed to reduce the stress of extended stays for families traveling more than 50 miles to Shepherd Center.

By eliminating concerns about lodging, travel and daily logistics, families can focus on supporting their loved ones throughout recovery. Dana Vanderplank experienced this firsthand after her son, Dave, sustained a severe spinal cord injury in January 2026. While Dave recovered at Shepherd Center, Dana stayed at the Blank Family Residences after traveling from the United Kingdom. She described the atmosphere as one where every patient and family member is treated with compassion and dignity. "You know that you matter," she said. The Blank Family Residences exemplify Shepherd Center's commitment to healing through family-centered care.

Girls Flag Football: Growing Fast, Changing Lives

Ayumi Abraham was a star point guard on her high school basketball team when she heard about a flag football clinic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with current and past Atlanta Falcons players and coaches.

Ayumi is the daughter of John Abraham, a legendary Falcons pass rusher, but it was her idea to attend the clinic and sign up to play for North Atlanta High School’s flag team. “I get things from flag that I don’t get from basketball,” she said. Ayumi is part of a flag football movement that’s exploding nationwide.

Nearly 500,000 girls ages 6-17 now play the sport, with more than 70,000 on official high school teams. And flag football will make its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

With support from the Falcons and the foundation, 19 pilot schools in Georgia launched teams in 2018. Two years later, Georgia sanctioned it as an official high school sport, and now every high school in the state can get a grant from the foundation to support its team or launch a new program. With more than 300 programs statewide, Georgia is helping to replicate its success in Alabama and Montana.