CINCINNATI, OH — Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is proud to announce it has received a $200,000 first‑year investment from the bi3 Fund, to launch a new Maternal Mental Health Initiative across Greater Cincinnati.
This award represents the first phase of a potential three‑year, $500,000 bi3 partnership, with years two and three contingent on successful outcomes and shared learning during the initial “test and learn” year. Best Point Education & Behavioral Health’s new program will connect pregnant or postpartum mothers experiencing depression, anxiety, or other emotional issues to therapy. It will also collaborate with social service and healthcare organizations to establish a referral pathway for mothers who screen positive for concerns but lack other services. Through home-based therapy, telehealth, and office visits, the initiative will provide culturally responsive care that meets mothers where they are and increase the number of women receiving treatment after screening positive for maternal mental health conditions.
This investment supports a multi‑year effort to address long‑standing gaps in maternal mental health services particularly for Black and Hispanic women who report feeling isolated, stigmatized, and unsupported by traditional healthcare pathways. The new initiative will help close the divide between screening and treatment by ensuring mothers can access meaningful, sustained care when they need it most.
With bi3’s support, Best Point Education & Behavioral Health will launch a dedicated perinatal mental health team, including two licensed Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Therapists and a part‑time Care Coordinator focusing on navigation and follow‑through. The program aims to serve 75 mothers per year, improving access, reducing delays to care, and strengthening closed‑loop referral pathways with home visiting programs, healthcare partners, and community organizations.
“Every mom deserves support for her mental health and emotional wellbeing,” Jill Miller, President & CEO of the bi3 Fund, said. “When mothers have access to the care and support they need, it strengthens families and creates healthier communities for all of us.”
The program will offer flexible, hybrid access (in‑person and telehealth) and will focus on reducing delays to treatment, improving engagement and retention, and strengthening maternal functioning and parent–infant bonding. Long‑term sustainability will be supported through workforce development and billable psychotherapy and care coordination services.
“This initiative has the power to change lives,” said John Banchy, President & CEO of Best Point Education & Behavioral Health. “Mothers in our community have been clear about what they need: compassionate support, culturally informed care, and someone to walk alongside them. Thanks to bi3’s partnership, we can build a model that meets mothers where they are and ensures families facing the greatest disparities receive the care they deserve.”
The investment reflects bi3’s commitment to advancing maternal health equity and improving outcomes for women and families disproportionately impacted by systemic barriers and inequitable access to care.
About Best Point Education & Behavioral Health: Best Point Education & Behavioral Health transforms the lives of over 15,989 individuals and their families each year across 176 community locations throughout the Tri-State area. With more than 50 community and campus-based programs, Best Point offers a wide range of services including a state-of-the-art campus for autism and preschool services, comprehensive education and behavioral health programs for individuals and families, pediatric mental health urgent care, and a school-based health center. In 2025, Best Point expanded its impact by welcoming Butler Behavioral Health as a wholly owned subsidiary, further strengthening its continuum of care and extending services to individuals of all ages. www.bestpoint.org