What is Shelane's Fund?
Shelane’s Fund provides grants up to $500 to help new mothers and families overcome postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Funding can be used to cover expenses such as appointments with a therapist or psychiatrist or other birth / postpartum professional.
This fund was created in honor of Shelane Gaydos, a mother of three girls who tragically ended her life while in the grips of severe postpartum depression.
In 2022 PSVa awarded 50 microgrants in the amount of $18,250.00. This year – in just six months, we have already awarded 65 grants — totaling almost $16,000!
Shelane’s Fund is dangerously low, and we need your support today to continue to provide lifesaving financial assistance for mental health care.
Please support Shelane’s Fund today by donating or registering for Shelane’s Run:
FAQs for Providers
Shelane’s Fund was created in memory of Shelane Gaydos, a mother of three who tragically died by suicide while struggling with severe postpartum depression. Shelane’s Funds are raised by the Shelane’s Run annually in October. The fund was created to help remove barriers to care by making perinatal mental health care more accessible. This microgrant is available to PSVa Care Coordination clients who need financial assistance to cover mental health support services.
The Shelane’s Fund microgrant can be used to cover the cost of therapy or psychiatry services, including copayments or the full session fee. It may also be applied towards the services of a Doula or other birth/postpartum professional who is partnered with PSVa.
It can cover up to $300 toward mental health counseling or doula services, and up to $500 for psychiatric care.
To submit an invoice, please complete the “Shelane’s Fund Provider Form,” which will be provided to you by your client or their PSVa care coordinator.
PSVa prefers that invoices be submitted for full payment per client whenever possible, to help streamline processing. This is typically done at the end of each month or when the client has exhausted their microgrant funds.
Payments for Shelane’s Funds are processed on a monthly basis.
We offer payments via ACH (Direct Deposit) and through a secure portal/direct link. You can specify your preferred method on the Shelane’s Fund Provider Form.
PSVa does not require providers to reduce their rates for Shelane’s Fund clients. However, if your current rate exceeds our coverage limit, we may not be able to utilize Shelane’s Fund. That said, many of our providers generously offer a reduced rate for fund recipients, which allows them to receive care for a longer period than would otherwise be possible.
Clients are responsible for covering any fees associated with missed appointments or outstanding balances.
The client can work with their care coordinator to seek funding through other avenues or until transfer of care is more appropriate.
For any inquiries regarding invoice payments, please reach out to Lauren Robson at Lrobson@postpartumva.org.
