We want to improve the clinical services and social supports that affect a woman’s health before, during, and after pregnancy. To do that, we’ve awarded five grants to create and test models of integrated health care.
These models will:
- Connect clinical care, behavioral health care, and social services.
- Consider other factors beyond medical care that affect health outcomesi (for example, stable housing, employment, and community connections).
- Figure out how to overcome challenges across large areas (like states, regions, or multiple counties).
Who are you trying to help?
We focus on those with limited access to basic social and health care services. That includes people on Medicaid or with limited or no health insurance.
Who did you award funds for the project?
We’re awarding about $9 million for the first year of this four year project.
| Grantee Organization | City | State | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | AL | $1,715,550 |
| Charles R. Drew University of Medicine | Los Angeles | CA | $1,800,000 |
| Maryland Department of Health | Baltimore | MD | $1,798,769 |
| Bexar County Hospital District | San Antonio | TX | $1,715,550 |
| Comagine Health* | Seattle | WA | $1,799,845 |
*Comagine is in Seattle, Washington, but they will be serving Las Vegas, Nevada.
- See the closed notice of funding opportunity (HRSA-23-106).
- Read the HHS September 27, 2023, press release featuring this funding.
How will grantees develop and test models?
Each grantee will launch their plan within the first year of funding. The work will happen at the state level or within one or more regions in their state. They must support mothers with the greatest needs in their state.
The grantees will:
- Partner with family leaders and community members who have personal experience.
- Use what they learn from people who have first-hand experience to design and evaluate programs.
- Link health care providers, social service groups, state Medicaid programs, and health departments to each other.
- Report data on key maternal health outcomes, by race and ethnic group.
- Identify at least one successful model to copy, by 2028.
What does integrated care mean?
Care should occur while a person is pregnant and continue into the postpartum period (12 months after they give birth). We want care and services that are:
- Equitable: Services are fair and available to all, no matter their race, class, ability, or location.
- High-quality and complete.
- Patient-centered: Patients know themselves best and partner with health care providers to improve their health.
- Team-based in their approach: Different specialists coordinate their care in outpatient settings.
- Preventive and support overall wellness.
- iHood, C. M., K. P. Gennuso, G. R. Swain, and B. B. Catlin. 2016. County health rankings: Relationships between determinant factors and health outcomes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 50(2):129-135.