Community and Faith-Based Infant and Maternal Health Support Services

The State of Ohio Department of Children and Youth has issued a Request for Grant Applications under RFGA Number DCY-G-2627-0355R for the Community and Faith-Based Infant and Maternal Health Support Services program. This opportunity is designed to strengthen the capacity of local community and faith-based organizations to provide maternal and infant health support services in ten targeted Ohio counties. The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) leads statewide efforts to reduce infant mortality, improve early childhood outcomes, and ensure safe family environments. In alignment with these goals, the program is funded for State Fiscal Years 2026–2027 with a total allocation of up to $9.6 million. Each awardee will act as the lead entity in their county, administering subawards to local organizations to expand access to prenatal healthcare, education, family supports, and community connection initiatives. The grant specifically addresses Ohio’s high infant mortality rate, which in 2022 was 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the state goal of reducing that figure to 4.4 or fewer per 1,000. In addition, the state reports that an average of 23 women die annually from pregnancy-related causes, many of which are preventable according to Ohio’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The program seeks to address these challenges by funding evidence-based, community-driven approaches. Services provided under subawards may include physical supports such as equipment, crisis assistance, and incentives for participation, as well as social supports such as parenting education, stress reduction activities, and leadership-building opportunities for residents. Funding is restricted in specific ways. At least 70 percent of each award must be distributed as subawards to community and faith-based organizations that directly provide maternal and infant health services. No more than 30 percent of an award may be used for administrative, programmatic, and direct service activities by the lead grantee. In addition, expenditures already supported by other state funds (such as cribs and car seats), Medicaid-reimbursable clinical costs, capital improvements, or equipment purchases are not allowable. Awards are county-specific, with maximum amounts allocated based on population and need. For example, Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton counties may receive up to $1.8 million each, while Lorain and Mahoning counties may receive up to $480,000 each. Eligible entities are strictly limited to designated organizations per county. For example, in Franklin County, Columbus Public Health and CelebrateOne are eligible, while in Hamilton County eligibility is restricted to Hamilton County Public Health and Cradle Cincinnati. Other eligible entities include local health districts, hospitals, and designated health collaboratives as identified by DCY. Only one award will be made per county, and no more than ten total awards will be granted. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to administer subawards, engage stakeholders in a collaborative planning process, and report programmatic and fiscal outcomes bimonthly. Applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format, along with a line item budget form, no later than October 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The inquiry period for applicant questions runs from August 18, 2025, through September 25, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. A virtual pre-application conference will be held on September 4, 2025, from 9:00–10:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. All questions must be directed by email to Procurement_Inquiries@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov with the subject line referencing the RFGA number. Communication with DCY staff outside of this process is prohibited. Applications will be evaluated in multiple phases including initial review, mandatory requirements evaluation, scoring of grant activities and applicant qualifications, and a review of line item budgets. Mandatory criteria include the allocation of at least 70 percent of funding to subawards. Evaluation metrics emphasize an applicant’s prior experience, organizational structure, subaward management plan, alignment with county needs, and capacity to report outcomes. Successful grantees will be required to deliver quarterly reports, a final comprehensive report, and a subaward summary report to DCY. The grant period will run through June 30, 2027, with the possibility of a one-month discretionary renewal at the State’s option. The primary contact for this grant is Hilary Stoll, Public Health Consultant at the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. All official communications and submissions must be directed through the Office of Contracts and Monitoring at Procurement_Inquiries@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov. This funding opportunity offers community-level organizations the chance to strengthen maternal and infant health outcomes across Ohio’s highest-need counties by leveraging the trusted role of local health partners and faith-based entities.

Applicants must not contact agency staff outside inquiry process and should monitor Ohio Grants Portal for amendments.