Maternal Health Community Program RFGA

Maternal Health Community Program RFGA

There has been an update to the amount per year for this opportunity.

The Maternal Health Community Program, led by DCY, supports community-based, evidence-informed strategies to improve maternal health across Ohio. The program focuses on addressing disparities in outcomes related to maternal mortality and severe complications from pregnancy or childbirth by increasing access to quality care and strengthening community involvement.

On average, 23 women in Ohio die each year due to complications related to pregnancy. More than half of these deaths are considered preventable, based on findings from Ohio’s Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (PAMR). The PAMR committee reviews deaths within one year of pregnancy to identify contributing factors and recommend ways to improve care and save lives. Non-Hispanic Black women in Ohio are nearly twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as non-Hispanic White women. Leading causes include infections, heart conditions, high blood pressure, embolisms, and hemorrhage. These outcomes reflect the combined impact of chronic health conditions, limited access to quality care, and social and economic challenges.

In rural and Appalachian areas, many residents live far from maternity care. Hospital closures and provider shortages make it harder to access care during pregnancy and childbirth. Eight of Ohio’s 13 counties without maternity care are in Appalachia. From 2017 to 2018, the rate of pregnancy-related deaths in Appalachian counties (38.8 per 100,000 births) was significantly higher than the state average (23.7).

A 2022 report found that over six percent of women in Ohio had no birthing hospital within 30 minutes of where they live. In rural areas, nearly one in four women lived this far from care. Meanwhile, fewer maternity care providers work in rural areas, despite the greater need.

Women enrolled in Medicaid are also more likely to experience serious health outcomes during or after pregnancy. Contributing factors may include unstable housing, limited transportation, food insecurity, and other daily stressors.

This RFGA invites applications for grants to implement programs aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in Ohio communities. Funded efforts must be:

1. Evidence-based and community-led;
2. Tailored to meet the specific needs of local populations; and
3. Designed to improve connections to clinical and social needs.

Examples of eligible activities include:
1. Connecting target populations to community resources;
2. Promoting health education.
3. Improving access to quality healthcare; and
4. Building the capacity of local leaders to advocate for maternal health improvements.

Applicants must submit a clear work plan with measurable objectives, a timeline, and budget. Grantees will provide monthly updates, spending reports, and a final evaluation outlining results and sustainability plans.

Details

• Agency: Department of Children and Youth
• Opportunity #: DCY- G-2627-0109R
• Estimated Funding: $348,873