Improving the Health of Mothers and Babies
The Better Health Foundation (BHF) has awarded a $350,000 Solutions at Scale grant to Community Health Care (CHC), a regional nonprofit health center that offers medical, dental and behavioral health care services.
Better Health Foundation established the Solutions at Scale grant, offered every other year beginning in 2025, to allow nonprofit organizations to replicate and scale successful programs and innovations and to achieve greater impact across the region.
Last spring, the BHF Board of Directors invited qualified nonprofit organizations to apply for the inaugural Solutions at Scale grant and to partner with the foundation to achieve the following maternal and child health goals:
· Improve pregnant women’s adherence to the recommended schedule of prenatal care
· Mitigate the effects of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in pregnancy
· Reduce adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight
“We know from our research that birth outcomes improve when women receive regular prenatal checkups beginning in their first trimester and continuing throughout their pregnancy. With early, consistent care problems can be prevented and prompt treatment provided,” said Dr. Bill Langley, retired family physician and president of the BHF Board of Directors. “Unfortunately, the percentage of women delaying prenatal care is rising.”
According to CDC, the percentage of mothers receiving prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy declined 1% from 2022 to 2023, while the percentage of mothers with no prenatal care increased 5%. (NCHS Data Brief, August 2024)
CHC will use its Solutions at Scale grant funding in Clinton, Scott and Rock Island counties to expand prenatal care access for expectant mothers, ensure healthier pregnancies for program participants, and improve birth outcomes.
Closing Care Gaps for Moms in the Quad Cities Area
Community Health Care, Inc. is leading an innovative effort to close maternal care gaps for moms in the Quad Cities area, expanding access to equitable, patient-centered prenatal services through the Closing Care Gaps for Moms initiative. This project will scale a community-based model that integrates Physicians with Certified Nurse Midwives, Community Health Workers, Doulas, and behavioral health teams across clinics in Clinton, Muscatine, Rock Island, and Scott Counties.
“Improving maternal health isn’t something any one organization can do alone,” said Tom Bowman, CEO of Community Health Care, Inc. “Through partnerships with local hospitals, doulas, and community organizations, we’re building a network of care that strengthens families and connects moms to the support they need for healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.”
The program focuses on helping more women begin prenatal care early, reducing racial and socioeconomic disparities, and improving birth outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Through trusted partnerships with MercyOne Genesis, the Iowa Black Doula Collective, Augustana College and AKWAABA QC, outreach teams will connect with expectant mothers in high-need neighborhoods, providing culturally grounded support, education, and care navigation. By 2027, this initiative aims to ensure that participating women enter care in the first trimester, strengthening family health and fostering a more connected, resilient Quad Cities community.
Every mom deserves care that listens, supports, and uplifts. Find or refer prenatal services through Community Health Care, Inc.’s Closing Care Gaps for Moms initiative.
Foundation Achieves Milestone
Following the Solutions at Scale grant distribution to CHC, the Better Health Foundation exceeded its ambitious goal of awarding grants totaling $4 million within its first 2 years of operation.
“We surpassed our initial grantmaking goal by distributing more than $5.3 million since launching the foundation in 2023. I credit BHF board members for reviewing proposals and for establishing and deepening relationships with area nonprofit organizations.” said Dr. Langley. “I am excited to see what the future holds for the foundation and the impact we can have on our region’s health in concert with our grantee partners.”