March of Dimes Awards More than $250,000 to Grantees across the State
February 25, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes has awarded more than $250,000 in eight community grants for projects focused on improving the health of mothers and babies in South Carolina.
SC Chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is receiving $20,000 to fund “South Carolina Stork’s Nest”. “Storks Nest” provides statewide prenatal education and incentives program for low-income pregnant women.
The South Carolina Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is receiving $10,000 to implement “African American Prematurity Awareness, Outreach and Education Project”. This program focuses on reducing the disparity of premature births in African Americans by providing education to males around the state.
The South Carolina Perinatal Association (SCPA) is receiving $10,000 to support the “SCPA Education Committee,” which reaches health care professionals statewide through webinars, conferences, and local seminars aimed at improving perinatal care.
PASOs is receiving $43,500 to improve the health of Latina mothers between pregnancies.
Greenville Health System Obstetric Care Center is receiving $125,000 to facilitate the statewide expansion of the “Centering Pregnancy” program, which implements an evidenced-based group model of prenatal care. This enhanced prenatal care curriculum has been shown to lower rates of preterm births, increase adequacy of prenatal care and increase patient satisfaction.
The Children’s Council in Lancaster County is receiving $14,523 to implement the Baby Basics program, a prenatal education curriculum designed to improve birth outcomes.
The Palmetto Health Foundation Perinatal Services is receiving $5,000 to host a conference for health professionals working with mothers and infants.
BirthMatters, serving Spartanburg County, is receiving $31,951 to implement a community-based doula program. The services of BirthMatters targets areas with the greatest disparities in birth outcomes.
Premature birth touches 7,500 babies and their families every year in South Carolina. The March of Dimes is funding vital research and programs to find ways to prevent preterm birth. In South Carolina, Select Health of South Carolina, Inc. is the Premier partner of the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign.
Each year the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes invests in mission initiatives statewide, including research grants and local community programs. Through these programs, the March of Dimes continues working to prevent birth defects and infant death, to reduce South Carolina’s premature birth rate, and to increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies.
For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. Find out how you can help raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org/southcarolina
