The Foundation for Delaware County announced it has received a five-year $5,041,665 Healthy Start grant award, one of just six awarded in Pennsylvania.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $105 million in grant funding to more than 100 community-based organizations across the country working to improve maternal and infant health.

Healthy Start is a HRSA-funded program that focuses on improving the well-being of expecting mothers and those who have just given birth, addressing needs in communities with infant mortality rates that are 1.5 times the national average or greater, and combatting the disparities in outcomes that have resulted in higher mortality rates for Black and Indigenous women and infants of color.

“Having a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth should not depend on where you live or the color of your skin,” said U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon. “For years, The Foundation of Delaware County has made a difference in our community with programs that tackle the unacceptable disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

“With this new Healthy Start grant, I’m pleased that the Foundation will be able to provide a healthy start and bright future to more moms and babies across our region.”

The goal of Healthy Start is to ensure that women experiencing high rates of poverty, limited access to care, and other socioeconomic factors can have healthy pregnancies and raise healthy children.

Funding through The Foundation for Delaware County will support a wide range of services for women, children, fathers, and families. These services include; coordinating access to healthcare, case management, linkage to social services, screening for behavioral health needs, substance-use disorders and intimate partner violence, breastfeeding support, health and parenting education, and building community and support among parents.  

“We are a leader in maternal and child health in our region. Along with our Nurse-Family Partnership and the WIC nutrition program, this grant funds an important component of our services and allows us to continue to serve pregnant and parenting people and their families to ensure healthy pregnancies and improved maternal and birth outcomes.” said Joanne Craig, Chief Impact Officer at The Foundation for Delaware County.

“The program will serve 450 pregnant and postpartum individuals, newborn infants, and fathers or partners in the City of Chester and 8 municipalities around the city.

“Additionally, the project will provide community wellness and health education programming to 250 residents seeking to increase their knowledge of infant safety, parent well-being and health promotion in the perinatal period. We are honored to continue to expand our services for pregnant people, new parents, and children in Delaware County.”

You can learn more about Healthy Start at The Foundation for Delaware County here.