What the mission means to Jennifer
I struggled with untreated severe postpartum depression with my first child and was told it was just baby blues and not to worry. My child and I would have both benefited greatly from a model like HealthySteps and all of the support it offers. My why is making sure that all caregivers moving forward have access to the services they need to focus on their child’s healthy development and experience all the joys of those first three years of life.
Professional Background
Ms. Tracey is the Senior Director of Growth and Sustainability of HealthySteps, a program of ZERO TO THREE. Since 2015, she has led National Office efforts to identify and secure long-term sustainable funding to support expansion of the HealthySteps model as well as efforts to provide funding assistance to existing sites across the country. Ms. Tracey works closely with state Medicaid agencies, Medicaid health plans, health systems, state and federal agencies, and other funders to develop innovative payment methodologies for infant and early childhood mental health services and dyadic services and supports. She also works closely with stakeholders to shape state and federal policies to improve coverage and reimbursement for critical services that support the health and well-being of children and families, including preventative two-generation support and services. In addition, Ms. Tracey serves on the Pathways to Resilience Expert Advisors Board.
Ms. Tracey brings over twenty years of Medicaid experience working with states and insurers on program expansions, health reform, quality improvement, and policy analyses. Prior to joining ZERO TO THREE, Ms. Tracey was the Medicare-Medicaid Federal Policy Director for UnitedHealthcare Community & State where she influenced state and federal health policy related to Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare-Medicaid enrollees, assisted internal business segments with product development, and collaborated with external entities on advancement of care integration and coverage expansions. She also worked closely with state agencies to support overall Medicaid and CHIP program improvements and reform efforts.
Ms. Tracey also worked at the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission where she focused on managed care policy issues and served as the Quality Lead for the Commission’s Medicaid work. Prior to joining the Commission, Ms. Tracey was a Senior Manager with the Lewin Group in the States & Payers Practice where she worked with state Medicaid agencies and health plans on program design and implementation for a variety of populations and programs. Ms. Tracey has a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Health Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Future Vision
Jennifer is inspired by the National Office Policy and Finance Team’s groundbreaking sustainability wins, in partnership with local stakeholders, to open new Medicaid preventive dyadic funding pathways at the state and federal levels to improve access to care for children and families. The team is making critical system level changes and shifting how payers think about investing in prevention services for young children and families. While there is still much work to do, Jennifer is inspired every day by the work of our HealthySteps sites and HealthySteps Specialists and the difference they make for children.
