TITLE
Title
DHHS-PUBLIC HEALTH: REDUCING INFANT MORTALITY IN COMMUNITIES ADDITIONAL AWARD ($24,299)
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Dr. Iulia Vann
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BACKGROUND
Background
Through funding from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), under The Reducing Infant Mortality in Communities (RIMC) program, Guilford County has initiated a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing community health. This initiative encompasses the launch of a county-wide, community-based Doula program, the integration of preconception and inter-conception health promotion, including a focus on male preconception health and reproductive life planning, and the establishment of a Diabetes Management and Prevention Program within our primary health care clinics in Greensboro and High Point. These efforts are designed to complement, not replace, existing health services and funding, in line with the non-supplanting provision of the state funds.
As part of this initiative, sixty (60) individuals will receive birthing support from a Doula and over 400 individuals will gain education on reproductive life planning, including 200 men receiving education on male preconception health. Additionally, the Diabetes Management and Prevention Program will be introduced to our public health primary care clinics, targeting patients of reproductive age diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
The RIMC Program, a three-year grant that commenced on June 1, 2023, in Guilford County, is dedicated to reducing infant mortality by funding local health departments and districts to implement evidence-based strategies. Guilford County's approach under the RIMC program includes two key strategies: Doula Services and Preconception and Inter-conception Health Services. These strategies are designed to have both an internal and external impact. Externally, the Doula services aim to support birthing individuals participating in one of the county's eleven (11) home visiting programs, with the program employing five (5) contractual and three (3) backup Doulas to assist up to sixty (60) individuals. The Preconception and Inter-conception Health strategy extends its reach externally through community outreach and education, and internally, by offering reproductive life planning education to patients of reproductive age within the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health (GCDHHS, DPH) clinic services. This holistic approach underscores Guilford County's commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of its community members, with a particular focus on reducing infant mortality and improving reproductive health.
The additional funding will be used to provide items to clients participating in an evidence-based strategy to support engagement in program services. Approved items include, but are not limited to: infant car seats, portable pay yards, baby monitors, diapers, baby wipes, diaper bags, manual breast pumps, breastfeeding supplies, weight scales and pedometers.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
General Fund
$24,299 Increase in State/Federal Revenue
$24,299 Increase in Appropriation to Health and Human Services
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
NO COUNTY MATCH REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Amend the adopted FY24 budget ordinance to increase appropriation to the Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $24,299, and increase State/Federal revenues by $24,299 to allocate funding from NCDHHS.
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