LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 08, 2026) — Aubrey Jones, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), received a four-year federal cooperative agreement expected to provide nearly $3.8 million to expand access to maternal mental and behavioral health care across Kentucky, with a particular focus on rural and Appalachian communities.
Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Kentucky Rural MOMS Network will strengthen the number of professionals who can recognize and respond to mental health concerns during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The initiative will combine workforce development, clinical coordination, telehealth and community education to help connect families with informed, timely care.
Depression, anxiety and psychosis are serious concerns during and after pregnancy. Postpartum depression can affect a mother’s health, relationships and ability to connect with and care for her child. A 2003 study published in the British Medical Bulletin identified suicide as one of the leading causes of maternal mortality during the perinatal period.
Yet many people, particularly those living in rural communities, encounter limited provider availability, long travel distances and other barriers when seeking specialized support.
“Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring significant physical, emotional and practical changes. Too many women must navigate those changes without access to professionals who understand the nuance and risk in maternal mental health,” Jones said. “Through Kentucky Rural MOMS, we have an opportunity to build the workforce, partnerships and systems needed to make knowledgeable, responsive care more accessible throughout our communities.”
The project will provide scholarships for eligible professionals to pursue specialized certification through Postpartum Support International. Social workers, nurses, doulas, lactation consultants and other professionals committed to serving rural communities will be among those eligible for training.
The initiative will also build the future maternal mental health workforce by developing a Maternal Mental Health Certificate and specialized field education opportunities for Master of Social Work (MSW) students. Practicum placements in medically underserved communities will allow students to develop experience in perinatal behavioral health while helping establish a stronger pipeline of professionals prepared to work in areas with limited access to care.
Newly trained providers will be connected with telehealth platforms, professional supervision and other support intended to help them pursue licensure and remain in Kentucky’s maternal mental health workforce.
Kentucky Rural MOMS will also pilot an obstetric care coordinator model within rural clinics. Care coordinators will help assess patients’ needs, support mental health screening and referrals and follow up with families at critical points during the postpartum period. The model is intended to create greater continuity between obstetric, behavioral health and community-based services.
Community education will be developed alongside doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants and other professionals who regularly support pregnant and postpartum families. Through accessible education and outreach, the network will work to reduce stigma, increase awareness of maternal mental health concerns and help families recognize when and where to seek assistance.
Federally qualified health centers, mental health agencies, Area Health Education Centers and other partners will support training, care coordination, data sharing and service delivery throughout the project.
“Aubrey’s work reflects an extraordinary level of persistence and commitment to Kentucky’s families,” said Jay Miller, Ph.D., dean of the CoSW. “She continues to pursue every possible avenue to strengthen the systems that support parents, children and families. The Kentucky Rural MOMS initiative is yet another example of her determination to translate research into lasting access to care.”
The award represents a significant expansion of Jones’ research, which has consistently examined how health and behavioral health systems can better support women and families before, during and after pregnancy.
Her study, “Creating, Connecting, and Communicating: A Look at Social Support for Postpartum Women,” co-authored with Diana Frankenburger, MSN, examined the development and use of the Fourth Trimester Support Group, a weekly virtual gathering for mothers within three months postpartum. The research explored how digital communities can help new mothers form relationships, share their birth experiences and find support during a period when existing relationships and personal priorities may be changing.
Jones also co-leads the Gestational Diabetes Aftercare and Postpartum Screening Study, an interdisciplinary project supported by a UL1 Pilot Award. Conducted in collaboration with the UK College of Medicine and the University of Utah, the study examines postpartum screening, health care use and barriers to follow-up care among women who experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Her research and community engagement have been supported through UK’s Research Scholars Program and Community Engaged Research Fellowship. She was also nominated for the Community Action Council’s 2025 Unapologetically Woman series, which recognizes women whose leadership and service strengthen communities across Kentucky.
Jones was promoted to associate professor with tenure in July 2026 in recognition of her contributions to research, teaching, mentorship and service. Since joining UK in 2021, she has built a growing interdisciplinary research portfolio addressing maternal and postpartum health, behavioral health systems, substance use, rural health disparities and access to care.
The Kentucky Rural MOMS Network will extend that work across the Commonwealth, creating a coordinated system designed to prepare providers, strengthen rural partnerships and help more Kentucky families receive effective maternal mental health support close to home.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this project. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $897,158. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.