Peer-reviewed Publications

Casey, E. N., Fitzgerald, E., Rackers, H. S., Bates, D., Fox, K., & Bygd, M. (2025). Descriptive analysis of interpreter service mode costs & usage in Northwestern Wisconsin pre and peri COVID-19. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 98.

Wilkinson, A., Rackers, H. S., & Harmon, T. M. (2023). Developmental implications of prenatal opioid exposure among school-aged children: a mixed methods and community-initiated analysis. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 1815. 

Murray, D.W., Rackers H., Meyer, A., McKenzie, K.J, Malm, K., Sepulveda, K., & Heath, C. (2023). Co-regulation as a support for older youth in the context of foster care: A scoping Review of the Literature. Prevention science.

Long, E.S., Penalver Bernabe, B., Xia, K., Azcarate-Peril, M.A., Carroll, I.M., Rackers, H.S., Grewen, K.M., Meltzer-Brody, S., & Kimmel, M.C. (2023). The microbiota-gut-brain axis and perceived stress in the perinatal period. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 1-8.

Kimmel M, Jin W, Xia K, Lun K, Azcarate-Peril A, Plantinga A, Wu M, Ataei S, Rackers H, Carroll I, Meltzer-Brody S (2022). Metabolite trajectories across the perinatal period and mental health: A preliminary study of tryptophan-related metabolites, bile acids and microbial composition. Behavioural brain research, 418, 113635.

Kimmel M, Thippeswamy H, Kamperman A, Madhuri HN, Putnam K, Schiller C, Weinel K, Rackers H, Gilden J, Bergink V, Meltzer-Brody S. (2022). Cross-continental collaboration for understanding postpartum major depression with psychotic features. Frontiers in global women's health, 3.

Ridenour, T. A., Murray, D. W., Hinde, J., Glasheen, C., Wilkinson, A., Rackers, H., & Coyne-Beasley, T. (2022). Addressing barriers to primary care screening and referral to prevention for youth risky health behaviors: evidence regarding potential cost-savings and provider concerns. Prevention science, 23(2), 212-223.

Krohn H, Guintivano J, Frische R, Steed J, Rackers, H., & Meltzer-Brody S. (2022). App-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment to Enhance Clinical Care for Postpartum Depression: Pilot Acceptability Study. JMIR Form Res 2022;6(3):e28081. doi: 10.2196/28081

Kimmel, M., Jin, W., Xia, K., Lun, K., Azcarate-Peril, A., Plantinga, A., Wu, M. Ataei, S., Rackers, H., Carroll, I. Meltzer-Brody, S., Fransson, E., & Knickmeyer, R. (2022). Metabolite trajectories across the perinatal period and mental health: A preliminary study of tryptophan-related metabolites, bile acids and microbial composition. Behavioural Brain Research, 418, 113635.

Bernabé, B. P., Tussing-Humphreys, L., Rackers, H. S., Welke, L., Mantha, A., & Kimmel, M. C. (2019). Improving mental health for the mother-infant dyad by nutrition and the maternal gut microbiome. Gastroenterology Clinics, 48(3), 433-445.

Sanders, A., Rackers, H.S., & Kimmel, M.C. (2019). A role for the microbiome in mother–infant interaction and perinatal depression. International Review of Psychiatry, 1-15. doi:10.1080/095-40261.2018.1548431

Redpath, N., Rackers, H.S., & Kimmel, M.C. (2019) The relationship between perinatal mental health and stress: A review of the microbiome. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(3):18. doi:10.1007/s11920-019-0998-z

Rackers, H.S., Thomas, S., Williamson, K., Posey, R., &  Kimmel, M.C. (2018). Emerging literature in the Microbiota-Brain Axis and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 86-96. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.05.020

Technical Reports, White Papers, & Briefs

Abdi, F.M., Jeffers, O., Rackers, H., Chandler, T. E., Pliskin, E. & St. John, V. (2025). Resilience in reentry: An implementation and impact evaluation of PREPARE in New York City. Rockville, MD: Child Trends. 

Rackers, H., Jeffers, O., Conway, J., Haas, M., & Crowne, S. (2024). Boston Healthy Start Initiative: Cumulative Final Report. Bethesda, MD: Child Trends.

Rackers, H.S., Sacks, V., Stafford, R., Guerra, G. & Crocket, E. (2024). The 2023 Opportunity Index. Washington, DC: Child Trends for the Forum for Youth Investment.

Rackers, H.S., Stafford, R., & Stratford, B. (2024). Summary memo on best practice scan for supporting high quality implementation of school behavioral health services. Internal report submitted to DC Department of Behavioral Health.

Stratford, B., Sacks, V., Rackers, H.S. & Kelley, C.  (2024). Summary memo on school behavioral health workgroup sessions. Internal report submitted to DC Department of Behavioral Health.

Rackers, H.S., Jones, R., Sacks, V., Redd, Z., & Moore K.A. (2022). The youthCONNECT integrated student supports model shows a relationship between caring adults and students’ academic outcomes. Bethesda, MD: Child Trends. 

Murray, D.W., Rackers, H.S., Sepulveda, K., and Malm, K. (2021). Building Co-Regulation Capacity to Support Positive Development for Youth with Foster Care Experience, OPRE Report #2021-129, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Sacks, V., Jones, R., Rackers, H.S., Redd, Z., & Moore K.A. (2020). Relationships with Caring Adults and Social and Emotional Strengths Are Related to High School Academic Achievement. Bethesda, MD: Child Trends 

Rackers, H.S., Lantos, H., & Villatoro, S. (2020). The 2019 Opportunity Index and 2020 Preview for Selected Indicators. Washington, DC: Child Trends for the Forum for Youth Investment.

Rackers, H.S., Habteselasse, S., Lantos, H., & Redd, Z. (2020). A Review of Tools Measuring Opportunity in the United States. Washington, DC: Child Trends for the Forum for Youth Investment.

Other Publications

Rackers, H.S., Guerra, G., Ulmen, K., Goldberg, J., & Crowne, S.S. (2024). MIECHV Outcomes Dashboard Requirements Document. Internal document submitted to Health Resources and Services Administration,  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Rackers, H., Taylor, L., & Holquist, S. (2023). Trauma-informed practice and youth-adult partnership organizational discussion tool. Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau. 

Rackers, H. (2022). Incorporating and Prioritizing Youth Mental Health in Sexual and Reproductive Health Programming. Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau.

Murray, D.W., Rackers, H., Sepulveda, K., & Malm, K. (2021). Kinship Caregivers Guide: How to Incorporate Co-Regulation with Older Youth in Foster Care.  [OPRE Report #2021-249]. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Murray, D.W., Rackers, H., Sepulveda, K., & Malm, K. (2021). Foster Families Guide: How to Incorporate Co-Regulation with Older Youth in Foster Care. [OPRE Report #2021-248]. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Murray, D.W., Rackers, H., Sepulveda, K., & Malm, K. (2021). Child Welfare Professionals Guide: How to Incorporate Co-Regulation with Older Youth in Foster Care. [OPRE Report #2021-247]. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Murray, D.W., Rackers, H., Sepulveda, K., & Malm, K. (2021). Caring Adults Guide: How to Incorporate Co-Regulation with Older Youth in Foster Care. [OPRE Report #2021-246]. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Presentations

Rackers, H., Tallant, J., Kim, L., Rogers, J., Lloyd, L. & Garrido, M.. (2025). Beyond the “It Factor”: Measuring and strengthening innovation capacity. Oral presentation at Healthy Teen Network Conference.

Arnoux, C., Taylor, M., Rackers, H., & Crowne, S.. (2025). Meal delivery pilot program to improve access to postpartum support for Boston families. Poster presentation at CityMatCH Leadership and MCH Epidemiology Conference.

Rackers, H., Vazzano, A., & Rogers, J.. (2024). Developmental Evaluation: How we learned to stop worrying and embrace uncertainty. Oral presentation at Healthy Teen Network Conference.

Hull, K. J., Rackers, H., Yamane, C. Y. E. W., & Mangum, L. E. (2024, July 10). Approaching youth mental health holistically (No. 2) [Audio podcast episode]. In Elevate Youth Programming. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF); Family and Youth Service Bureau (FYSB). 

Offiong, A. & Rackers, H. (2024). Bridging the gap: Connecting shared principles of substance use prevention and sexual and reproductive health education. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF); Family and Youth Service Bureau (FYSB). https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/resources/bridging-gap-connecting-shared-principles-substance-use-prevention-and-sexual-and  

Rackers, H. & Holquist, S.E. (2023). Integrating youth-adult partnerships to delivery trauma-informed programming in the context of community violence and societal tragedies. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF); Family and Youth Service Bureau (FYSB). https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/resources/ integrating-youth-adult-partnerships-deliver-trauma-informed-programming-context 

Casey, E., Bygd, M., Bates, D., Fox, K., Fitzgerald, E., & Rackers, H. S. (2022). Descriptive analysis of interpreter service mode usage and costs at the Mayo Clinic Health System-Northwest Wisconsin pre and peri Covid-19. In APHA 2022 Annual Meeting and Expo. APHA.

Arnoux, C., Rackers, H., Taylor, M., & Jeffers, O. (2022). Black Women in Motherhood Support Group Pilot Program. Poster presentation at CityMatCH Leadership and MCH Epidemiology Conference.

Murray, D.W., Sepulveda, K., & Rackers, H.  (2021). Building Co-Regulation Capacity to Support Positive Development for Youth with Foster Care Experience: Convening Summary. OPRE Report #2021-235. Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Lantos, H. & Rackers, H.S. (2020). 2020 Opportunity Index. Oral Presentation at New York State Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health Policy Forum.

Penalver, B., Rackers, H., Dowty, S., Tussing-Humphreys, L., Pezley, L., Meltzer-Brody, S., Knickmeyer, R., Carroll, I., Maki, P., Gilbert, J., & Kimmel, M. (2020). Host Immunity, the Microbiome, and Perinatal Anxiety. In Biological Psychiatry (Vol. 87, Issue 9, pp. S36–S37). Elsevier BV. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.115

Kimmel, M., Xia, K., Lu, K., Rackers, H., Meltzer-Brody, S., & Knickmeyer, R. (2019). Microbial Metabolites: Tryptophan, Kynurenine, and Serotonin at the Intersection of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. In Neuropsychopharmacology (Vol. 44, No. Suppl 1, pp. 243-244). 

Kimmel M, & Rackers H. (2019). Maternal-Child (and Family) Mental Health MATTERS. NCIOM task force on perinatal system of health. Retrieved from http://nciom.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/KimmelRackers_NCIOMTF_NCMATTERS_06-05-2019.pdf

Park, H.Y., Hayashi, S., Straus, J.H., Broaddus, M., Rackers, H., & Rosa, K. (2019). PMHCA and MDRBD: Strategies for Collecting Required Reporting Data for Program Evaluation. [Webinar]. Health Resource and Services Administration. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNVE-eEpTl8. 

Kimmel, M., Plantinga, A., Rackers, H., Wu, M., Carroll, I., Azcarate-Peril, A., Meltzer-Brody, S., Barry, M., & Santelli, R. (2019). S115. The Perinatal Gut Microbiome as Possible Biomarker for Psychiatric History. In Biological Psychiatry (Vol. 85, Issue 10, p. S342). Elsevier BV. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.866

Rackers, H.S. & Kimmel, M.C. (2017). Length of stay and transitions of care from inpatient perinatal psychiatry to outpatient care. Oral Presentation at the Perinatal Mental Health Society 3rd Biennial Perinatal Mental Health Conference; Chicago, IL.