Perinatal Providers

What is the Michigan Child Care Collaborative (MC3) for Moms Program?

The MC3 for Moms program offers free psychiatry support to perinatal providers in Michigan who are caring for women who are contemplating pregnancy, pregnant, or postpartum (up to one year). One in seven women cared for by perinatal providers suffer from depression or anxiety, and this number is even higher in some communities.

Perinatal psychiatrists are available for same-day phone consultations to offer guidance on:

• diagnostic questions
• safe medications in pregnancy and while breastfeeding
• appropriate psychotherapy

Your local MC3 for Moms behavioral health consultant is also available to provide recommendations for local mental health resources.

How Does It Work?

Only one phone call is necessary to get the process started. Here are the simple steps:

1)      The treating perinatal provider or clinic designee initiates a call to the Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC), a master’s-level mental health professional based locally.

2)      The BHC triages the referral, responds to any questions that are within the scope of his/her expertise, and forwards appropriate cases to the MC3 for Moms psychiatrist for same-day phone consultation. In cases that are deemed urgent, the BHC will suggest local resources for referral. 

3)      Upon completion of the consultation between the psychiatrist and treating provider, a written summary of the consultation is sent to the provider along with local resources. In select regions, telepsychiatry evaluations may be available as an additional resource.

Phone availability for MC3 for Moms psychiatrists and local BHCs is Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Extended evening hours on Mondays until 7:00 pm.

Who Can Participate?

Perinatal providers across the state are eligible to participate in the free MC3 for Moms program. As part of their participation, they will be asked to sign a Provider Agreement that outlines program services and respective responsibilities. As an additional educational resource, participating perinatal providers will be able to use the MC3 website to access recommended practices for treatment of common behavioral health issues through live webinars and pre-recorded educational videos. These online learning opportunities typically offer CMEs to the physician.

What is NOT Included

MC3 for Moms is not an emergency service. Emergency consultations over the phone or in person are not provided. If a perinatal provider calls about a case requiring an urgent intervention, the behavioral health consultant can offer appropriate resource recommendations. 

The U of M psychiatrists do not prescribe medication or provide ongoing treatment, but rather support perinatal providers as they provide care. For those cases that require more complex care, the behavioral health consultant and psychiatrist will offer referrals to local or regional clinicians.

For more information, visit mc3.depressioncenter.org, email the program at [email protected], or phone us at 734-474-0078.