MARCH OF DIMES OFFERING PROJECT ABSTRACT GRANTS

The March of Dimes is offering grants to agencies interested in helping improve the health of babies in Southeast Missouri.

Matt Hopkins, March of Dimes southeast division director, said his organization is offering one-year grant funding through Project Abstract. Grants are available to agency programs that target one of three March of Dimes areas of emphasis.

The southeast division encompasses 19 counties, including St. Francis, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington to the north; all of Southeast Missouri; and Ripley and Carter counties in the southwest. All programs funded will promote healthy habits and prenatal care to pregnant women. Grants may range from $500 to $18,000.

Programs will be given priority for funding that: focus on successful smoking prevention targeted at young women; positively affect access to prenatal care for women with limited access; or promote positive birth outcomes through nutrition education for women at-risk.

"In this region of the state we do have the highest infant mortality rate in the state," said Hopkins. "It's twice the national average, which is in round figures about eight deaths per 1,000 births."

Hopkins said the southeast division has participated in the grant funding for three years but this is the first year it will follow the formal application process. In the past, he said, the organization has funded a health department program that provided needy mothers with transportation for prenatal care as well as a resource and education program that educated mothers on sudden infant death syndrome.

"Across the country (prenatal care and education is) a very important part of what the March of Dimes does," he said. "We could eliminate one half of all birth defects with the proper education."

Agencies interested in applying for funding should submit a project proposal abstract of less than 500 words by July 30. The abstract should include the estimated amount of the request. For more information, call the March of Dimes at (573) 651-6033.