2010 Virginia Chapter Community Grant Awards

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, preterm birth and infant mortality. The Chapter Community Grants Program provides one tool for advancing the mission in community services, public/professional education and Prematurity Campaign areas.

In 2010, the Virginia Chapter has adopted a chapter mission focus initiative of the Centering Pregnancy® model of group prenatal care. For more information, go to www.centeringhealthcare.org.

An organization must be an incorporated not-for-profit 501 © (3) or for-profit organization or a government agency. Individuals are not eligible for Chapter Community Grants. The applicant must provide services in Virginia (excluding the counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, and Price William, and all independent cities within; and including the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans).

The Chapter Community Grants budget for 2010 is approximately $140,000. Each year 5 -8 larger projects are funded. Short Term Education Program (STEP) grants are available for $3,000 or less.

All grantees are required to include folic acid education in relation to the prevention of birth defects, educating on the signs and symptoms of preterm labor, and education on safe sleep under guidelines of the AAP.

Letters of intent are accepted for larger projects and undergo a competitive review process. Measurable outcomes and evaluation are required components. Once approved, a project may request continued funds for up to three years.

For the latest stats on premature birth, visit www.marchofdimes.com/peristats

Grants Awarded in 2010

1.  Family Maternity Center of Northern Neck – Centering Pregnancy - $29,700

Third and final year. This is certified rural health clinic that now has provider numbers which will allow them to become credentialed and bill for services. The project has developed a sliding scale for self-pay patients and additional grant funds will ensure sustainability. New facility is under construction and due for completion in May 2010. FMNN is inline to become an approved CP site this year.

2.  Eastern Virginia Medical School – Centering Pregnancy - $12,826

Third and final year. This project provides care to Portsmouth residents, has shown much improved outcomes in pregnancies and trains interns from the School of Family Medicine.

3.  Southern Dominion Health System – Centering Pregnancy - $3,739

Second year. Staff position was vacant 6 months last year, which delayed implementation. Grantee is using $7,028 from 2009 budget and requests an additional $3,739 to provide services to 120 pregnant women.

4.  Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare – NEW – Centering Pregnancy - $26,200

Private OBGyn practice in Harrisonburg; Completed pilot project with CP and will expand as an op-out service.

5.  Riverside Family Medicine Residency – NEW – Centering Pregnancy - $30,000

Medical school will introduce CP into intern program and provide care to 60 women.

6.  Virginia Commonwealth University – NEW- $29,338

Request for one year staffing to produce data analysis of services provided by project since inception in 2007.

7.  Chesterfield Health District – MADRES - $22,885

Third year. Program provides, in Spanish, preterm labor risk-reduction education and essential dental services to 1000 preconception and maternity clients.

8.  Southwest Virginia Perinatal Council – NEW – Centering Pregnancy - $3,000

Sponsorship of a 1-day exploratory fact session with Centering Healthcare Institute to determine possibility of including CP services with Carilion.

9.  Lexington OBGyn – NEW – Centering Pregnancy Enhancement - $3,000

Private practice asking for funds for staff to train in smoking cessation in order to provide to patients.

10.Community Memorial Healthcare – NEW – Centering Pregnancy Enhancement - $3,000

Private nonprofit hospital requests funds for educational materials and for staff training in smoking cessation.

Grant periods are Feb. 1, 2010 – Feb. 28, 2011. Progress reports are due July 1, 2010, final reports are due March 31, 2011.

Questions?

Please contact our Virginia Chapter Director of Program Services Sara Long

·  E-Mail Address:

·  Phone Number: 804-968-4120

·  Address of Local MOD office: 10128A West Broad Street, Glen Allen, VA 23060

2