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Project Name: Healthy Start Initiative-Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities (H49)
Applicant Title: DALLAS COUNTY TEXAS
Abstract Text: Address: 2377 N Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 Project Director Name: Katy Womble Contact Phone Numbers: xxx-xxx-xxxx Email Address: xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx Website Address: DCHHS | Home (dallascounty.org) List of grant program funds requested in the application: DCHHS is requesting $1,100,000 in grant funds in this application, including $760,810 in salaries and benefits, $50,000 in mileage reimbursement for staff funded under this grant, $115,000 in transportation assistance for program participants, $100,000 for incentives (car seats and diapers) for program participants, $49,190 for educational materials, and $25,000 for the Community Consortium Coordinator. Project Summary: Black mothers in Dallas County have notably higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, low infant birth weight, and other pregnancy related complications. DCHHS aims to address the disparity through targeted interventions in the three (3) zip codes in Dallas County that have the highest rates of Low Birth Weight: 75149, 75150, and 75217. From 2019 to 2022, there were 9,260 births with 21% (1,965) of them attributed to Black mothers. The low birth weight for Black mothers in these zip codes is alarmingly high --17.08% in 75149, 16.12% in 75150, and 16.76% in 75217. These low-birth-weight rates are much higher than other races and ethnicities in the same area; for example, 75150 has a low-birth-weight rate of 6.92% for White women and 6.52% for Hispanic women compared to the 16.12% for Black women. DCHHS will use this funding opportunity to hire three (3) Community Health Workers (CHW), three (3) Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), one (1) Health Educator, and one (1) Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) to help execute grant activities. The CHW and LVNs will conduct home visits to new mothers living within the target zip codes. These visits will consist of a general check-up and education by the LVN followed by any recommendations and referrals. The CHWs will be able to assist new mothers with enrollment in SNAP, WIC, Medicare, and referrals to needed wrap around services, such as housing, food, and transportation assistance, childcare programs, and parental support groups. DCHHS will also hire a BHS who can conduct a mental health screening assessment and make referrals to mental health services. These visits are designed to address critical stages in maternal and infant health, with the first scheduled between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, followed by subsequent visits at 32-34 weeks, 38-40 weeks, 1-3 weeks postpartum, 3 months postpartum, and the final visit at 6 months postpartum. For referrals into the program, DCHHS will partner with Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Parkland Hospital System, Los Barrios, Healing Hands Ministry, Jubilee and others who have an established footing within the three zip codes we are targeting. DCHHS will also provide in person and virtual group-based parenting education in Spanish and English. The curriculum that will be offered will mirror that of the Centering Pregnancy model, which consists of health educator-led group meetings designed to address all aspects of wellness during pregnancy, not just their physical health. Topics and activities will include dealing with pregnancy side effects and discomforts, preparing for giving birth, eating well, safe sleep, exercising for pregnancy, stress management, breastfeeding, and postpartum contraception. Lack of transportation is one of the primary barriers to accessing maternal healthcare services in Dallas County. DCHHS will address this barrier by contracting with a transportation vendor that will provide rides to and from appointments for expecting and new mothers and their children. Finally, DCHHS will also convene a community consortium dedicated to increasing maternal health care services and decreasing low infant birth weight rates in Dallas County.