Florida Blue Foundation launches Maternal Health Grant Program

• Application due date: Thursday, September 12, 2024, by 3:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) • All applicants will be notified of their status: Between December 2024 – January 2025 • Required grantee orientation: Between December 2024 – January 2025 

Description of the 2024 Maternal Health Grant Program 

Goal: Ensure every mother and baby will receive quality care throughout each stage of pregnancy and beyond.  

Background 

The Foundation seeks to fund programs that support innovative and actionable solutions to improve maternal health outcomes, bridge health disparities, and secure equitable access to quality maternal health care services across Florida. The aim is to transform Florida into a state where maternal health is safer and under-resourced or marginalized communities are supported, embodying a commitment to the health and well-being of all mothers and babies. 

In Florida, the maternal health landscape is marked by significant challenges. Notably, 19.4% of Florida's counties are classified as maternity care deserts compared to the national average of 32.6%. Rural areas of the state are particularly disadvantaged, with 100% of women residing more than 30 minutes from a birthing hospital—a stark contrast to the 10.7% in urban areas. The implications of this are profound: increased travel distances elevate the risk of maternal morbidity and adverse neonatal outcomes, including stillbirths and NICU admissions. Financial constraints and heightened stress exacerbate these challenges, further intensified by the nationwide trend of birthing hospital closures. 

Compounding these issues is the limited availability of family services in Florida, where only 3.3 family services are available per 100,000 women—compared to the national average of 5.3 per 100,000 women. Such scarcity heightens the vulnerability of women to adverse maternal health outcomes. The Maternal Vulnerability Index (MVI) reveals that 22.4% of the state's counties are at high risk, with inadequate prenatal care being a particularly acute issue in regions with elevated environmental vulnerability, affecting black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) communities disproportionately. Additionally, Hispanic women residing in areas with high environmental vulnerability are 1.3 times more likely to receive inadequate prenatal care compared to their counterparts in regions with lower environmental vulnerability. 

Women who do not have access to quality maternal health services may face higher rates of medical interventions, longer and more complicated labors, lower breastfeeding success rates, and potentially unsatisfactory childbirth experiences. This is especially crucial in under-resourced or marginalized communities, 

Maternal Health 

Where quality maternal health services help bridge health disparities and ensure accessible, culturally competent care. Additionally, women might not receive the same level of personalized care and support in navigating the challenges of the perinatal and postpartum period, which can impact both their physical and mental well-being. By providing comprehensive mental health support, women can navigate the emotional and psychological changes that come with the perinatal and postpartum period, ultimately promoting healthier outcomes for both mother and baby. However, it's important to acknowledge that every woman's experience is unique, and these outcomes can vary based on individual circumstances and the quality of care received. 

Florida Blue Foundation will provide three-and four-year grants to nonprofit organizations that have documented  expertise and experience in creating more equitable maternal health outcomes. Programs should provide women with equitable access to quality maternal health services and support throughout each stage of pregnancy and beyond. 

2024 Maternal Health Funding Priorities  

Florida Blue Foundation aims to address various racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic barriers that women face in accessing affordable, high-quality maternal healthcare services and support in Florida.  

Priority 1: Improving Access to Quality Maternal Health Care Services  

Women who do not have access to quality maternal health services may face higher rates of medical interventions, longer and more complicated labors, lower breastfeeding success rates, and potentially unsatisfactory childbirth experiences. Increasing access and programming to physicians, community professionals, birth workers, lactation consultants, doulas, midwives, community health workers, and/or other social support services are pivotal in enhancing health, contributing significantly to positive experiences. It not only improves clinical outcomes but also empowers women with knowledge and support and fosters confidence, autonomy, and satisfaction in their journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood.  

Priority 2: Perinatal and Postpartum Maternal Mental Health Support  

Perinatal and postpartum maternal mental health support is critical for the well-being of women during and after pregnancy. This specialized care focuses on addressing issues such as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, toxic stress, postpartum depression, and other mental health challenges that women may face. It encompasses a range of services and interventions, including counseling, support groups,  education programs, screening tools, and referral programs tailored to address the unique mental health needs of perinatal and postpartum women. These services aim to prevent and manage conditions, ensuring women at risk receive the access and support for optimal health outcomes. 

Maternal Health 

For both Funding Priorities, we encourage organizations to collaborate with local healthcare providers, health professionals, and community stakeholders to ensure a holistic and comprehensive approach to supporting maternal health. 

Special Note 

Applicants may apply for one or both Funding Priorities. Organizations applying for both must complete a separate application for each Funding Priority. 

When completing the online application, please remember that Florida Blue Foundation is looking for nonprofit charitable organizations to propose proven services that will be implemented to serve primarily underserved,  underinsured, and low-income individuals in Florida.  

Special consideration will be given to organizations that provide services in the following ZIP codes: 32206, 32805,  33612/33613, 33142, and 33311, plus Florida’s rural counties – reference the Florida Department of Health map of rural counties attached to the grant application. Providing services to these specific ZIP codes and Florida’s rural counties is not a requirement to apply for this grant program. 

Completing the Application 

The Program Milestone Document is available to be downloaded. The completed Program Milestone Document is to be uploaded to the application as an attachment. Basic information – name of organization, program title,  amount requested, etc. – will be requested within the application. Program objectives, tasks, expected outcomes/results, and other details will be captured within the Program Milestone Document. The information within the Program Milestone Document will be the basis for all reporting for the programs selected for funding. 

Funding 

• Florida Blue Foundation has approximately $3 million for the funding of this program. • The Foundation will fund three- and four-year grants. The total amount requested for the life of the grant  should range between $270,000 to $400,000 (the approximate amount per year is between $90,000 to  $100,000).  

Eligible Applicants 

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, public agencies, universities, colleges, training centers, community  centers, schools, healthcare-related facilities, faith-based institutions, and others that:

1. Are incorporated in Florida 
2. Have the capacity, expertise, resources, knowledge in the field, and time needed to carry out the intent of  the program 
3. Have expertise in delivering educational and awareness programs on targeted topics to targeted  populations described in this application 
4. Have expertise in developing and managing programs, and 
5. Have the capability to reach target populations described under this application.

Maternal Health 

What We Do Support 

1. Salaries, including benefits 
2. Employee training 
3. Rental fees for program/meeting costs 
4. Webinar or other types of media/technology 
5. Program materials/equipment 
6. Required travel related to this grant (e.g., attend Florida Blue Foundation’s Annual Community Health  Symposium, Sapphire Awards, and other potential annual program meetings, etc.)  7. Training/educational materials 
7. Printing and dissemination 
8. Indirect costs – an amount up to but not to exceed 10% of the total grant amount. (Indirect costs represent the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a particular  grant project function or activity but are necessary for the general operation of the organization and the  conduct of activities it performs.) 

What We Do Not Support 

1. Organizations that discriminate in their provision of goods and services based on race, color, religion,  national origin, disability, sex, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or  marital status 
2. Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) 
3. Research and development 
4. Individuals 
5. Capital campaigns 
6. New start-ups 
7. Profit making enterprises as applicants 

Grantee Requirements 

• Please be aware that should your program be selected for funding, Florida Blue Foundation will disburse payments via ACH transactions, and you will be required to provide the requested banking information.
• Successful applicants should be prepared to attend a mandatory grantee orientation that is tentatively scheduled to take place between December 2024 and January 2025. Specific date and time will be provided  once confirmed. 
• Successful applicants must attend the Florida Blue Foundation’s annual Community Health Symposium and Sapphire Awards each year for the life of the grant. Once they are confirmed, dates and locations will be provided. 
• When developing your budget, please include funds for each year of the grant to cover potential annual program meetings and attendance at Florida Bluenual Community Health Symposium and Sapphire Awards. The estimated cost is $800 per person/per year.