State Maternal Health Innovation Program

This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the State Maternal Health Innovation (State MHI) Program. The State MHI Program is being established to assist states in collaborating with maternal health experts, and optimizing resources to implement state-specific actions that address disparities in maternal health and improve maternal health outcomes, including the prevention and reduction of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (SMM).1 Specifically, award recipients will: 1) Establish a state-focused Maternal Health Task Force to create and implement a strategic plan that incorporates activities outlined in the state’s most recent State Title V Needs Assessment; 2) Improve the collection, analysis, and application of state-level data on maternal mortality and SMM; and, 3) Promote and execute innovation in maternal health service delivery, such as improving access to maternal care services, identifying and addressing workforce needs, and/or supporting postpartum and interconception care services, among others. The State MHI program seeks to fund nine state-focused demonstration projects tasked with translating recommendations on addressing maternal mortality and SMM from ideas to action. Each funded project will operate through the establishment of a Maternal Health Task Force, to drive collaboration from both traditional and non-traditional partners, to include tribes/tribal organizations, if applicable, working to eliminate preventable maternal deaths. The Maternal Health Task Forces will be comprised of multidisciplinary stakeholders to engage all necessary parties in shifting the paradigm of adverse maternal health outcomes.

Eligible applicants include any domestic public or private entity. Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations, tribes, and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply. For the purpose of this funding opportunity, applicants should propose projects that involve collaboration with a state or group of states to strengthen state-level capacity in achieving program aims. A letter of support and planned participation to evidence this relationship should be included as Attachment 4.

Kimberly Sherman, MPH, MPP

(301)443-0543