Addie Weaver, PhD, Receives MIP Scholars Award for Innovative Work Implementing Postpartum Depression Screening and Referral in Rural Michigan WIC Clinics

Congratulations to Addie Weaver, PhD, MSW, MPA, an assistant professor in the U-M School of Social Work, who is the 2019 recipient of the Michigan Mental Health Integration Partnership (MIP) Scholars Award! The MIP Scholars Award supports U-M faculty implementing and evaluating mental health services that promote integrated care and seek to improve access to evidence-based practices for lower income and Medicaid eligible populations with behavioral health care needs in Michigan. The $50,000 award was provided by the U-M Depression Center Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Collaborative Innovations Fund and is now in the process of being matched 1:1 with Michigan Medicaid funds.

Dr. Weaver’s project titled, “Implementing Postpartum Depression Screening and Referral in Rural Women Infant and Children (WIC) Clinics” will start in fall 2019. The project aims to identify and tailor an implementation intervention to initiate postpartum depression (PPD) screening and treatment referrals in rural WIC clinics based upon survey and qualitative interview results, as well as develop a resource and referral directory for WIC staff to disseminate information for women who screen positive for PPD.

About Dr. Addie Weaver: Dr. Addie Weaver, PhD, MSW, MPA is co-director of the Treatment Innovation and Dissemination Lab at the School of Social Work (TIDL; http://tidl.ssw.umich.edu/) and a member of the U-M Depression Center and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Dr. Weaver is a mental health intervention researcher committed to improving access to evidence-based treatment for underserved populations, with specific attention to addressing treatment access disparities experienced by rural Americans. Her work utilizes innovative approaches to increase access to care, including technology-assisted treatment and building capacity to deliver care in community settings that are accessible and acceptable to individuals experiencing mental health needs. Dr. Weaver is currently working on a project, supported by an NIMH Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K01), focused on adapting and testing an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for depression for group-based delivery in rural churches in Michigan.