| In an effort to improve the health of mothers and babies, the March of Dimes recently awarded $116,204 in grants to seven local organizations.
Programs supported through these grants address special maternal and infant health needs specific to Oregon and Southwest Washington. The 2006 grantees include:
Samaritan Health Services, $22,500: Funding to support maternity care coordination for Spanish-speaking pregnant women in Linn and Benton Counties. Includes outreach, assessment and referrals to intervention and maternity services.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, $23,750: Grant to provide oral health education and oral health care to low-income Hispanic pregnant women with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a risk factor for premature birth.
Salem Hospital Foundation, $19,400: Grant to support the Family Birth Center Clinic, providing prenatal care services and education to underserved pregnant women in Marion County.
Healthy Start Prenatal Services, $10,000: Funding to improve rates of early detection of existing or gestational diabetes, and education and support to decrease adverse pregnancy outcomes for Hispanic women in Deschutes County.
Coos County Health Department, $10,000: Grant to increase maternity case management services through Healthy Beginnings, prenatal vitamins and folic acid.
Clackamas County Community Health Clinic, $21,000: Funds to support "COMADRES", a group prenatal care program for Hispanic families in Clackamas County.
Children's Home Society of Washington, $9,554: Grant to support outreach efforts in enrolling pregnant women and children in Medicaid and SCHIP programs in Southwest Washington.
The March of Dimes is also funding several national research grants in the chapter area. Nearly $1 million is currently being awarded to researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Oregon. Funding for these grants is made possible through special events, corporate giving and individual donations. For more information, contact the March of Dimes at 503-222-9434. |
