Every Step

Every Step focuses on reducing the infant mortality rate in Alabama. This project utilizes the SBIRT Model to reduce substance use, depression, and domestic violence among individuals who are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant. VitAL works with the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Alabama Department of Public Health to provide SBIRT implementation support to OB/GYNs, ACHN, and other groups and initiatives that provide services to women across the state in an effort to identify and address substance use and mental health needs among pregnant individuals. Every Step also provides education and resources in order to promote positive health outcomes for moms and babies in Alabama.

Helping Alabama Moms at Every Step

Every Step equips providers with screening, education, and resources to reduce harm, address substance use and behavioral health concerns, and improve outcomes for Alabama mothers and babies.

View the Every Step Education Bundle

More than 20% of women will be diagnosed with a mental illness each year.

Co-occurring disorder (any mental illness + substance use disorder) rates are highest between the ages of 26-49.

In pregnancy, the earlier the identification, the better the outcomes are likely to be for mom and baby.

SBIRT consistently provides an evidence-based pathway for early identification, referral, and treatment—increasing outcomes for mom & baby.

Less than one in five women were screened for perinatal depression in 2024.

Routine, consistent screening for substance use and mental health issues happen in fewer than one-fifth of all prenatal visits.