Connecting the Dots Is a Collaborative Effort:

CONNECTING THE DOTS

A Training Series on The Intersection of Perinatal Mental Health & Substance Use

What is Perinatal Substance Use?

“Perinatal substance use” refers to substance use during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Many mothers and birthing people who struggle with substance use/misuse during the perinatal period find themselves alone, lost, and without support.

About Connecting the Dots

It is imperative that we allocate time and resources to support providers across disciplines in increasing their competencies related to perinatal substance use. As rates of perinatal substance use continue to climb, we have a responsibility to train professionals so that they can adequately meet the needs of the birthing people, caregivers, and the families we serve.

To fill this need, a group of partners including The Graduate School for Professional Psychology at the University of Denver, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), Tough as a Mother, and the Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project (CO PMHP) came together in a collaborative effort to form Connecting the Dots: A Training Series on the Intersection of Perinatal Mental Health & Substance Use. These trainings are intended for professionals who work directly with the pregnant and newly parenting population.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Connecting the Dots: Understanding the Intersection Between Perinatal Mental Health and Substance Use

September 10, 2026 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

CDPHE Campus, Glendale, Colorado

CE Credits Available (pending approval)

Perinatal substance use is far more common than many of us realize—and too often, providers feel underprepared to respond with confidence and compassion. This training is designed to bridge that gap.

Together, we will explore:

A foundational understanding of perinatal substance use and its connection to attachment, regulation, and the transition to parenthood
Common myths and stigmatizing narratives—and how to actively challenge them
The critical role of relationships and community in recovery
Systems-level considerations, including structural barriers and child welfare involvement This interactive training will provide practical tools to support individuals, parent–child dyads, and families with skill, sensitivity, and evidence-informed care.

This interactive training will provide practical tools to support individuals, parent–child dyads, and families with skill, sensitivity, and evidence-informed care.

Host a Training

Do you have an organization or group that would benefit from a Connecting the Dots Training? We design custom trainings that meet your unique needs. Get in touch with us to explore a partnership.

Request a Training

Meet the Trainers

Jennifer Yuen, PsyD

Jennnifer Yuen, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist serving families and young children. She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology and completed her predoctoral internship at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center on the Early Childhood team. Dr. Yuen is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles through the Combined Early Childhood and Pediatric Psychology program. Her research interests include the development of mental health programs for BIPOC communities, caregiver-child relationships, the intersection of early childhood trauma and development, and perinatal substance use. She remains passionate about working with multidisciplinary teams, decolonizing healthcare systems, and increasing access to services.

Kaylin Klie, MD

Kaylin Klie, MD is a family medicine and addiction medicine physician at the University of Colorado, where she is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry. Her clinical focus is perinatal addiction which includes the care of pregnant people and families impacted by substance use. Dr Klie enjoys teaching students, residents, fellows, and the community about caring for people with substance use conditions. She is the program director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the Clinical Medical Director at CeDAR, the University of Colorado’s inpatient and outpatient treatment facility. She serves on various local, regional, and national committees and projects dedicated to serving and improving care for people with substance use.

Tracy Moran Vozar, PhD, IMH (IV-R), PMH-C

Tracy E. Moran Vozar, Ph.D., IMH (IV-R), PMH-C, is a perinatal, infant, and early childhood (Perinatal - 5) focused clinical psychologist. She currently works for Endeavor Health as Director of the Perinatal Depression Program. Dr. Moran Vozar oversees the clinical program, which includes perinatal mental health screening and the MOMSline providing support and resources to birthing people across Illinois. Dr. Moran Vozar also participates in clinical trials and research projects. Dr. Moran Vozar is licensed in Illinois, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, and across participating Psypact states. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Iowa, concentrating in perinatal psychology and she completed her post-graduate training in infancy and early childhood mental health at Tulane University Health Sciences Center. She was awarded her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, where she also minored in Business Administration. She previously served as Clinical Director for the DC Mother Baby Wellness program at the Developing Brain Institute of Children's National Hospital, and as Director of the Perinatal Through Five program, Director of the Caring for You and Baby clinic and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology, all at the University of Denver. Dr. Moran Vozar was also previously on the faculty at Tulane University in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science in New Orleans, at the University of Chicago’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and at Erikson Institute in the Department of Infant Studies in Chicago. Her clinical and research interests involve the intersections between perinatal, infant and early childhood mental health. Dr. Moran Vozar studies constructs central to these areas including parenting self-efficacy, perinatal depression, anxiety, PTSD, complex trauma, and substance use, as well as cultural and community adaptations to evidence-based clinical approaches. She is passionate about supporting all caregivers and particularly BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ families.

Jacqueline Jacobs Tynan, PsyD

Jacqueline Jacobs Tynan, PsyD., is a clinical psychologist serving families and their young children in the Denver metro and surrounding areas. She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Denver consortium on the Right Start for Infant Mental Health team and is currently completing her postdoctoral fellowship at CU Anschutz through the Harris Fellowship in Infant Mental Health and Early Childhood. Her research interests include intergenerational transmission of trauma, parent-child relationships, early-childhood adversity, and perinatal substance use. She is passionate about workforce development, training, and increasing access to resources and support for families in need.

Emely Matus, MA, BSN, RN

Emily Matus, MA, BSN, RN is a doctoral student in psychology at the University of Denver. She is currently a trainee in Healthy Expectations and the Parent Infant Program for Emotional Resilience (PIPER) at the CU School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. Her doctoral training focuses on interventions with women, caregivers, and children, building upon her previous work as home visitor in her nursing career. Her approach emphasizes evidence-based methods to empower parents and caregivers, particularly those navigating challenging circumstances or intergenerational trauma. Her research interests include perinatal mental health and the evaluation of dyadic treatment interventions at the intensive outpatient level of care. She is committed to supporting diverse families through the perinatal period and reducing barriers to care.

Past Trainings

Organizations we’ve partnered with on trainings in the past include:

Postpartum Support International (PSI)
University of Denver
Nurse Family Partnership (NFP)
South Carolina Infant Mental Health Association (SCHIMHA)
Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC)
SpeakUp ReachOut

Training Feedback

training participant from March, 2023

“I loved all of the modules and appreciated how each built on the one before."

training participant from June, 2023

“Excellent and extremely informative!”

training participant from February, 2024

“One of the best webinars I’ve experienced in my work this far”

training participant from February, 2024

“Amazing. A great balance of information sharing, discussion, and practical examples.”

training participant from August, 2024

“I love all of it; super helpful and applicable to practice!”

training participant from August, 2024

“That was the most beneficial training I have attended in a long time!”

Perinatal Substance Use Resources

Explore statewide resources in Colorado including stigma reduction, support groups, peer support, screening tools, helplines, and more.

Explore Resources

Get in Touch

Want to learn more? Contact us at connectingthedots.colorado@gmail.com and we’ll be in touch within a few days.