Kentucky grants

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies.

Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk of lifelong disabilities. In 2003, the Prematurity Campaign was launched to address the crisis and help families have healthy, full-term babies.  The campaign funds research to find the causes of premature birth, and to identify and test promising interventions; educates health care providers and women about risk-reduction strategies; advocates to expand access to health care coverage to improve maternity care and infant health outcomes; provides information and emotional support to families affected by prematurity; and generates concern and action around the problem.

As part of this effort, the Greater Kentucky Chapter community grants program is designed to invest in priority projects that further the March of Dimes mission, support campaign objectives, and further our strategic goal of promoting equity in birth outcomes.

FUNDING PRIORITY AREAS

Proposals will be accepted from organizations with the capacity, competence and experience to accomplish project goals and objectives.  Priority will be given to projects that meet one or more of the following criteria: a) are evidence-based; b) include measurable outcomes; c) promote equity in birth outcomes.  Projects may focus on consumers and/or health care providers.  The March of Dimes does not fund billable health care provider services.

1. Providing or enhancing premature birth risk reduction education and/or services.  Risk reduction projects include, but are not limited to:
   
   • Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait Project (HBWW), a preterm birth prevention initiative with a focus on “preventable” late preterm birth. Through partnerships and collaborations between hospitals, health departments and community organizations, HBWW provides education for pregnant patients, health care providers and the greater community to understand the problem of preterm birth and what measures can be taken to reduce the risks of it occurring.
   • Providing smoking cessation education and/or services to pregnant women.  Preference should be given to prenatal health education and information/referral services that utilize the "5 A's" counseling approach.  For more information, go to: www.acog.org/from_home/departments/smoking/smokingslides.ppt
   • Increasing health education and information/referral services available to pregnant women who use alcohol or other drugs.
   •  Focusing on premature birth recurrence prevention such as education about “17P” (17α hydroxyprogesterone caproate) treatment for women who have had a previous singleton premature birth.
   • Implementing community programs that aim to promote equity in birth outcomes.  This may include March of Dimes programs like Stork’s Nest®, Project Alpha and Becoming a Mom/Comenzando bien®.
   • Increasing pregnant women’s participation in state or local maternal child health programs (e.g. Medicaid, CHIP, WIC) through enhanced outreach, education and public awareness.
   • Enhancing services for pregnant women with chronic diseases that increase the risk of premature birth such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.
2. Providing or enhancing preconception health education and/or services.  For more information, see the National Preconception Curriculum and Resources Guide for Clinicians at www.beforeandbeyond.org.
3. Enhancing care through the CenteringPregnancy® model of group prenatal care.  For more information, go to www.centeringhealthcare.org  
4. Initiating a quality improvement program related to premature birth prevention with the goal of catalyzing systems change.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

The applicant must provide services in the Greater Kentucky Chapter's geographic boundaries.  It is anticipated that 2 – 4 projects will be funded, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 each.  

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to receive a March of Dimes chapter grant, an organization must be an incorporated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or for profit organization or government agency.  The March of Dimes does not award grants to individuals.  Applicants must disclose any conflict of interest due to representation by their organization on the chapter’s Program Services Committee or the Chapter or Division Board of Directors.

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