1. Healthy Birth Day – Count the Kicks Program -  $12,780

The Count the Kicks public health campaign aims to reduce the number of preventable stillbirths in Iowa by teaching expectant parents the importance of, and method for, self-monitoring and tracking their baby’s daily movements during the third trimester.  This grant proposal requests funding assistance to bolster outreach and change behavior by recruiting Iowa maternal healthcare providers to educate expectant parents about the importance of Count the Kicks.

2. Mercy Medical Center-Clinton – Decrease Preterm Delivery/Labor in Teenagers - $7,420

The ultimate goal of this grant application is to reduce preterm labor/delivery in pregnant teens in the Clinton, IA area.  To accomplish this goal, we will have two major initiatives.  First being, education of the nursing professionals that are involved in the care of pregnant teens, and secondly, develop a teen program utilizing a variety of educational resources/methods to improve the health and well-being of pregnant and parenting teens and their babies.

3. Marion County Public Health Department – Teen Pilot Project - $8,000

The Teen Pilot Project will aim to decrease the number of teen pregnancies in a rural high school and help pregnant teens in accessing support services that available in the county. This project will be piloted in a high school life skills class where a nurse, public health worker, and social worker will partner to teach students about the importance of preconception health, prenatal care, STI’s, parenting/baby care and readiness for sex.  These three professionals will also work individually with teens that are pregnant to link them to other community resources and teach them about the importance of healthy behaviors during pregnancy, as well as the importance of preventing future unintended pregnancies.

4. Young Parents Network – Healthy Beginnings - $12,000

Young Parents Network will provide biweekly home visits and/or group services to high risk pregnant young women in Linn County using a comprehensive, time sensitive and medically accurate curriculum.  Women will be encouraged and supported to make healthy behavior choices that help ensure the birth of a healthy baby. 

For more information on our Community Grant process or about these programs, please contact Jessica Phillips, Director of Program Services, at 319.247.5643 or JPhillips@marchofdimes.com.  Thank you for your interest in our programs!