Iowa grants

• We partner with local organizations that share our mission.
• We award grants to address the needs of moms, babies and families.
• Our funding supports programs in communities throughout the state.

The March of Dimes Iowa Chapter and our partner organizations are helping moms have healthier pregnancies and babies begin healthier lives. Below are some programs where our 2011 grants and awards are making a difference.

Healthy Birth Day-Count the Kicks Program

The Count the Kicks public healthy campaign aims to reduce the number of preventable stillbirths in Iowa by teaching excpectant partens the importance of, and method for, self-monitoring and tracking their babiy's daily movements during the third trimeseter. Funding will be used to develop educational material in English and Spanish, training guides for providers and social media outreach efforts.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics-Centering Pregnancy

This education and support program combines essential components of prenatal care: health assessments, education and group support. Our program graduates and participants make us proud: The evidence-based approach to prenatal support has been shown to reduce c-sections, premature births and low-birthweight babies. The grant from the Iowa Chapter is used to implement this program at local community medical centers.

Dr. Jeffrey Murray Grant

Dr. Jeffrey Murray at the University of Iowa was awarded a Prematurity Research Initiative Grant co-sponsored by the March of Dimes Iowa Chapter and the March of Dimes National Foundation. Dr. Murray is conducting worldwide research to identify genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to spontaneous premature birth.

Project Alpha

March of Dimes is proudly providing financial support to Project Alpha in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. Project Alpha is designed to provide education, motivation and skill-building on issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and STDs for young African American males, ages 12 to 15 years.