This study is funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (Grant # K01MD019724). In partnership with a community-based organization in Austin, Texas, El Buen Samaritano, Dr. Petruzzi is conducting a 5-year, community-based participatory research study to develop a perinatal program for Latinas in Central Texas.  

We have an active community advisory board (CAB) with 13 members from 7 perinatal, mental health and community organizations across the Central Texas area. We have met every other month, both in person and virtually, to discuss the planning and implementation of our project. 

This grant has 3 aims, which are:  

1. Conduct a mixed method, community needs assessment to identify the mental health and resource needs of pregnant and postpartum women in Central Texas. As of May 2026, this aim has been completed.  
   • We collected community surveys (n=100) and conducted qualitative focus groups and interviews (n=20) to better understand the needs of pregnant and postpartum women, as well as the assets and strengths of the community.  
2. Develop a perinatal program for Latina women based on two, evidence-based interventions (patient navigation and problem solving therapy). This intervention will include community health workers or promotores and social workers or consejeros. This aim is underway. 
3. Conduct a pilot study with 45 pregnant women to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the adapted, perinatal intervention. This aim is in preparation. 

Project Publications

The first publication associated with this grant is a systematic review about perinatal social work interventions in the United States. It was nominated as the “Editor’s Choice” article for the March/April issue of Women’s Health Issues. This article is open access and available at the link below. 

Citation: Petruzzi, L., Ayala, S., Abraham, A. E., Haiman, M., Vetter, I., Sampson, M., Miller, E., Parra-Medina, D., & Valdez, C. (2026). Social work interventions can improve perinatal mental health: A systematic review. Women’s Health Issues. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2025.12.005

Project Presentations

Dr. Petruzzi organized, moderated and presented a roundtable presentation at the 2026 Society for Social Work and Research Conference on the importance of participatory research methods for perinatal program planning. She presented on the key components of participatory research methods utilized in this project. 

Citation: Petruzzi, L., Palmer Molina, A., Pritt, L., & Paris, R. “The Importance of Participatory Research Methods for Perinatal Program Planning.” Organizer, moderator and presenter of a roundtable at the Society for Social Work and Research Conference. January 2026. 

In person CAB Meeting at El Buen Samaritano, April 2025 
 

In person CAB Meeting at El Buen Samaritano, April 2025 
 

In person CAB Meeting at El Buen Samaritano, April 2025