Past Projects
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, formerly 2020 Mom, was proud to host the following projects, which have now sunset or transitioned to partner organizations.
National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health (NCMMH)
2020 Mom founded the NCMMH in 2014 to convene national organizations working in MMH to SEA: Share with each other, Engage other national stakeholder groups, advocate for policy change, and raise awareness together. The Coalition was paused in 2017 after two of the four other founding non-profit organizations, Postpartum Progress and MotherWoman either shut their doors or lost leadership.
Championing California Legislation
2020 Mom served as the backbone organization which championed the formation of the California Task Force for Maternal Mental Health, which released a paper and strategic plan in 2017 which ultimately lead to the introduction and passage of four state laws in 2018. Much of this legislation has become the basis for the model legislation developed and introduced in other states. The processes and policies are being trained in the organization's state policy fellows programs.
Championing Federal Legislation
During our first 10 years 2020 Mom championed federal legislation, including leading significant advocacy efforts. This culminated with the passage of the TRIUMPH for New Moms Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in 2022. The Act called for the formation of an interagency task force to improve coordination and use of resources, the development of a national strategic plan, and the issuance of recommendations to states and governors. Beginning in 2023, we pivoted to informing policy change as a Think Tank vs. serving as an advocacy organization.
TheBlueDotProject
In 2017 2020 Mom became the host of the brand, website and social media community TheBlueDotProject. Our aim was to grow awareness and community to combat the stigmas of maternal mental health disorders and promote the universal symbol of maternal mental health, the light blue dot. In early 2023 this project was handed over to the Postpartum Support International to promote in concert with other efforts, such as the promotion of the U.S. maternal mental health hotline.
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Social Media Awareness Campaign
2020 Mom launched the U.S. Maternal Mental Health Awareness week social media campaign in 2014 after several organizations voiced interest in raising awareness on social media. The campaign was run the first week of May each year. It was first launched through the National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health and, in 2017, through TheBlueDotProject. The campaign was turned over to Postpartum Support International along with TheBlueDotProject to lead along with their world maternal mental health day and to promote the U.S. maternal mental health hotline, which PSI held the Health and Human Services Agency contract.
Maternal Suicide Social Media Awareness Week Campaign and Remembrance Vigil
The Maternal Suicide Remembrance vigil and Maternal Suicide Awareness week were founded by 2020 Mom in 2019. The vigil was hosted from 2019-2022 along with a weekly social media awareness campaign. Maternal Suicide Awareness Week is still recognized each year and organizations are encouraged to share infographics created by 2020 Mom or others. The maternal suicide remembrance wall is still maintained to honor mothers lost, and they are honored through a moment of silence during the organization’s September congressional briefings.
Walk for Maternal Mental Health
2020 Mom hosted various walk-based fundraisers via two brands, through its network of advocates beginning in 2017. These walks were sunset in 2021 as the organization adopted its new strategic plan, and became recognized as a field catalyst, and worked to secure additional funding through philanthropic investors.
The Ambassador Program
2020 Mom launched an Ambassador program in 2014 to empower individual advocates who wanted to roll up their sleeves to close gaps in maternal mental health. The program was sunset in 2021 after the organization adopted its latest strategic plan and as it pivoted to empowering and supporting community-based organizations and state advocacy organizations in a deeper way.
Innovation Awards
The Maternal Mental Health Innovation Awards program was funded by the ZOMA Foundation and ran from 2017-2019. The aim was to identify and lift up promising community-based or public health projects, advocacy efforts, and clinical programs. Nine winners and nine honorable mentions were selected by a panel of judges each year, and the winner’s programs were presented at the MONA and Postpartum Support International conferences as well as shared with the 2020 Mom network via annual webinars.