DSHS funded community-level interventions in the 10 counties of the state with the large proportion of Medicaid-paid births, highest rates of prematurity, more than 1000 births per year and large populations of African American families, understanding that African American families are disproportionately impacted by infant mortality and preterm birth. This page is intended to provide local coalitions and others with data and resources to make a difference in their communities. On the Texas Data page, you will find the Perinatal Period of Risk Analysis that coalitions used to analyze their county’s need and develop appropriate interventions. The analyses are being updated by DSHS and newer data will be added to that page when they are available.
Anyone is welcome to use the resources on these pages.
The Healthy Texas Babies Local Coalition Funding Opportunity awardees include:
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock Perinatal Coalition expands program activities, includes more participants and improves data collection on the March of Dimes Stork’s Nest program. The program encourages women and teens to seek prenatal care early and provides educational sessions on perinatal health topics by providing material incentives for participation which are gathered through public awareness-raising “baby showers.” For more information, contact Belinda Gallegos.
- The Tarrant County Infant Health Network is implementing the Young Dads program, an evidence-based program that targets teen fathers on high school campuses to encourage competent and responsible fathering. Program components include mentoring involving healthy relationships, vocation planning, and financial literacy. For more information, contact Ann Salyer-Caldwell.
- Dallas Healthy Start through Parkland Hospital is developing a Feto-Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) board to review cases of infant mortality and do outreach work in the community to sensitize the public to the prevention of infant mortality. For more information, contact Eulalia Gillum-Roberson.
- Harris County IMPACT Collaborative “Women with IMPACT” supports pre- and inter-conceptual African American women with interactive workshops on pregnancy and conception, stress, physical activity and other modifiable risk factors for preterm birth and poor birth outcomes. For more information, contact Debbie Boswell.
- Galveston County Healthy Babies Coalition is implementing a county-wide effort to encourage Mother-Friendly Worksite Development. Mother-Friendly worksites have been established at ten employers in Galveston who have made accommodations for their breastfeeding employees and customers. For more information, contact Dana Beckham.
- Waco-McLennan County Public Health District will expand the March of Dimes Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait® campaign to McLennan County. Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait® is organized around the 5 Ps: Partnerships and collaborations; Provider initiatives; Patient support; Public engagement; and Measuring progress. For more information, contact Tiffani Johnson.
- Healthy Family Network of San Antonio and Bexar County “HOPES Project” is a nurse and social-worker case management model for women who delivered an infant with a poor outcome such as low birth weight. HOPES stands for Healthy Outcomes through Perinatal Education and Support. For more information, contact Kelly Bellinger.
- The Nueces County Preconception & Inter-conception Health Program screens Hispanic women of childbearing age who are 17 and older and who have diabetic conditions at preconception and refers them to care. For more information, contact Annette Rodriguez.
- City of Laredo Health Department is conducting a series of community workshops on perinatal health, fatherhood and motherhood supported by a robust media campaign in English and Spanish. For more information, contact Waldo Lopez.
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso is implementing a high-risk prenatal clinic for women with a previous preterm birth and modifiable risk factors. They are supporting this effort with a public awareness campaign so women with this medical history can seek care earlier and possibly avert negative outcomes. For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Cardwell
External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services.