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About PPCL

Research findings show that mental health consultation can be successful for women with children under age 1, and may be particularly helpful in addressing the mental health needs of women and children of color. Research also shows that mental health consultation can increase a provider's ability to identify mental health needs, properly use screening tools, and identify trauma and adversity.

Louisiana has long been recognized for its innovations in piloting mental health consultation approaches that build the capacity of health care and other professional providers to address the mental health needs of children, youth, and families. See the timeline below to learn about these efforts.

• 1990’s: In partnership with Tulane University, mental health consultation was integrated into the Bureau of Family Health’s (BFH) Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. 
• 2013: With funding from SAMHSA, BFH implemented Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) and provided early childhood mental health consultation to primary care, early intervention, and childcare providers. 
• 2018: BFH received a five-year grant from HRSA to develop and implement the Louisiana Mental Health Perinatal Partnership (LAMHPP), a program that builds the capacity of healthcare providers to address the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum persons through the provision of mental health consultation, training, and resource and referral support services.
• 2021: BFH received another five-year grant from HRSA to implement a similar program for pediatric primary care providers which led to the development and launch of the Provider-to-Provider Consultation Line.
• 2023: BFH combined both the perinatal and pediatric programs under the umbrella of the Provider-to-Provider Consultation Line, creating one program and consultation line that serves both perinatal and pediatric providers.

The vision for PPCL is for all pregnant people, postpartum people, and children (ages 0-21) in Louisiana, especially those in rural and underserved areas, to have equitable access to comprehensive, integrated behavioral health services.

The goal of PPCL is to increase the capacity among primary care providers to screen, diagnose, treat, and refer pediatric patients (ages 0-21) and perinatal patients presenting with mental health concerns.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The Bureau of Family Health knows that there are laws, policies, and practices (systems) in the Us that make it harder for some people to live, learn, work, and play. We realize this means that not everyone has a fair chance at meeting their basic needs and achieving their dreams. Even if not intentional, these systems make it harder for people of color, people with disabilities, non-U.S. citizens, and people of a certain age, gender, income, education, religion, and sexual orientation to live their lives and reach their potential.

In the Bureau of Family Health, we are committed to understanding and changing unfair and unjust systems. We are also committed to understanding our similarities and differences so that we can better connect through our shared humanity. In doing so, we believe we can bring about change that will better the health of all. Louisiana can become a state where every person is valued and can reach their full potential.

Contact Info

To access the consultation line, please call (833) 721-2881, or request a consult here. If you have any questions about the PPCL program, email ppcl@la.gov.

Funding

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of awards totaling $1,892,378 with 8% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Meet the PPCL Team

		PPCL Program Manager  Jody West, LCSW-BACS is the Program Manager with PPCL. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University in 2000. Jody’s years of social work practice have focused on working with children and their families in multiple systems and settings, including schools and home-based services.
		PPCL Mental Health Consultant  Laina Raggette, LCSW-BACS is a Mental Health Consultant with PPCL. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Social Work from Louisiana  State University in 2008. Laina’s years of social work practice have focused on working with adults, children, and their families in multiple systems and settings, including schools and community-based services, both stateside and abroad.
		PPCL Mental Health Consultant  Sianna Nacoste-Caldwell, LCSW-BACS is a Mental Health Consultant with PPCL. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University in 2013.  In her career, she has had the opportunity to work with various systems impacting youth—including corrections, juvenile justice, primary care, and education.
		Resource Specialist Jen Bordelon, LCSW, LAC, PMH-C obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University in 2015. Their years of social work practice have included working with individuals and families in Acadiana as well as across the state. She has nurtured a special interest in substance use disorders and attained status as a Licensed Addictions Counselor in 2015. Jen has also obtained their certification in Perinatal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International and is now working to apply accumulated clinical expertise in areas where these populations overlap.
		PPCL Psychiatrist Daniel Waldman, MD is board certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He previously served as the Training Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program at LSU Health in New Orleans. While on faculty, Dr. Waldman led the consult-liaison service at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. He also worked at multiple high schools and provided direct patient care and consultation for school-based professionals. He is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
		PPCL Psychiatrist Julianna Finelli, MD is board certified in general psychiatry and in child and adolescent psychiatry. Her academic and clinical interests focus on infant and early childhood mental health and perinatal psychiatry. She serves as medical director for the Louisiana Mental Health Perinatal Partnership (LAMHPP) and supervises residents, fellows, and medical students at the Tulane Infant Mental Health Services (TIMHS) at Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD).
		PPCL Psychiatrist Maegen S. Vincent, MD is board certified in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Tulane University. She has completed several advanced trainings in Perinatal Mental Health and has had direct clinical experience in Perinatal Psychiatry since 2019. In addition to serving as a psychiatric consultant for the Louisiana Mental Health Perinatal Partnership (LAMHPP), Dr. Vincent provides psychiatric care at the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority (SCLHSA) and in her own private practice.