Maternal and Infant Health

Where is the funding coming from? Can you give examples of innovation projects in other states?
The funding is from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) Maternal Health Innovation grant funding. Entities are welcome to research other state projects, however the project should be based on Wisconsin’s maternal health needs. Learn more about the HRSA Maternal Health Innovation Program.

Do you know if this could support an existing program? Or is this for new programming?
The Maternal Health Innovation grants are intended to fund new ideas and approaches to improving maternal health. The innovation can be within an existing program or project but should not fund already existing work at the agency or be supplanting funds.

Are health plans eligible? Yes, health plans are eligible for this funding.

Does an awardee have to reapply each year and submit a new budget? No, the funding begins October 1, 2024, and ends September 30, 2028, and awardees do not need to reapply annually. Subsequent contract years will run October 1–September 30, with up to $100,000 available annually, based on performance and funding. Annual funding must be spent within the contract year with no extensions.

Is there opportunity for planning time at the beginning of the grant cycle? Yes, awardees will be allowed to use the first three months of year one to support additional planning, hiring, and other activities prior to implementation. Annual funding must be spent within the contract year with no extensions, so awardees should plan the budget accordingly.

Could this funding be used solely for evaluation costs? No, the funding needs to be used to implement a project, not to solely evaluate an existing activity. If an entity includes evaluation of the project in the budget, that may be allowable.

Is this a reimbursement grant? Yes, this funding is a cost-reimbursement grant.

What are the timeframe agencies are reimbursed after their invoice is approved? Once the invoice is submitted and approved in the DHS system, payments should be received within 30 days.

Define a holistic pregnancy care model. Holistic pregnancy care models focus on addressing the holistic needs of pregnant persons, including, but not limited to, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, social wellbeing, and culturally informed patient centered care.

Are contractors allowable in the budget? Contractors are permissible, but the awardee would need a fair selection and application process for any contractors or community partners. DHS approval may be required regarding the terms and conditions of any further contracts or grants and the further contractor or grantee selected. Approval of any further contracts, grants, contractors, or grantees will be withheld if DHS reasonably believes that the intended further contractor or grantee will not be a responsible contractor or grantee in terms of services provided and costs billed.

Can agencies partner together for a project? Only one entity can be awarded the funding. Partnerships are permissible, but the awardee would need a fair selection and application process for any paid partners. DHS approval may be required regarding the terms and conditions of any further contracts or grants and the further contractor or grantee selected. Approval of any further contracts, grants, contractors, or grantees will be withheld if DHS reasonably believes that the intended further contractor or grantee will not be a responsible contractor or grantee in terms of services provided and costs billed.

What qualifies for project reimbursement? If the budget is reasonable and applicable to the innovation project, it should be allowable. If DHS identifies a cost that is not allowable, the project coordinator will work with the awardee to identify alternative options with the budget.

What data and performance measures qualify? The program coordinator will work with the awardee on a work plan to identify data and performance measure specific to the project.

Does data need to reflect the goal of "reduce maternal mortality or morbidity?” No, the data does not have to directly reflect reduction of maternal mortality or morbidity. The data should reflect the work being done during the innovation project.

Can the funds be used for the development of technology? Yes, the funds can support the development of technology.

Can I use these funds to hire doulas? Yes, the funds can support the hiring of doulas, however the project would need to identify an innovation within the doula workload. As an example, this could include a specific zip code, or a type of service provided.