Maternal Health Community Program RFGA

The Maternal Health Community Program RFGA, issued by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), aims to reduce maternal mortality and severe complications related to pregnancy and childbirth through targeted community-based strategies across Ohio. The program is grounded in findings from Ohio’s Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (PAMR), which revealed that over half of maternal deaths in the state are preventable. Non-Hispanic Black women in Ohio are nearly twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as their White counterparts, with causes including infections, heart conditions, hypertension, embolism, and hemorrhage. These statistics highlight systemic challenges, including chronic health conditions, socioeconomic stressors, and a lack of access to quality care—issues that are even more acute in rural and Appalachian regions, where maternity care options are scarce or nonexistent. This funding opportunity supports evidence-informed, community-led interventions that are designed to improve maternal health outcomes by addressing both clinical and social determinants of health. Eligible interventions may include improving access to healthcare, enhancing health education, connecting populations to community resources, and building local leadership capacity in advocacy and maternal health. Applicants are expected to submit a robust work plan with measurable objectives, stakeholder engagement strategies, and a clear evaluation framework. The program also seeks to ensure that initiatives are tailored to the needs of the most affected populations, particularly Medicaid recipients and rural residents who face transportation and provider access challenges. The grant offers up to $61,818.69 per awardee, with a total estimated funding pool of $348,873.01. No matching funds are required, and indirect and fringe costs are reimbursable under standard federal rules. The program period runs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027, with work plans due by March 31, 2026. Grantees will be required to submit monthly progress and expenditure reports beginning in November 2025, and a final report including a sustainability plan by October 10, 2027. Deliverables also include participation in regular technical assistance meetings and dissemination of project results to stakeholders. Applications must be submitted electronically by September 4, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstance. The application period opened on July 18, 2025. All applicants must include a line-item budget and a range of forms detailing organizational qualifications, past experience, team member credentials, and any redactions or exceptions requested. The evaluation criteria include both the technical quality of the application and the alignment of the proposed project with state priorities to reduce disparities in maternal health. Eligible applicants include a range of entities such as counties, hospitals (including rural and critical access), boards of health, community support networks, juvenile correctional facilities, and home and community-based services. The RFGA prohibits applicants from contacting agency staff during the application period outside of specified procurement communication channels. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Contracts and Monitoring at Procurement_Inquiries@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov. The designated program consultant for the RFGA is Ayan Dahir. All applicants must follow the formatting and documentation rules strictly, including submission of unredacted and redacted versions of the application if confidentiality is asserted. Applications must adhere to specific formatting instructions and include multiple required forms, such as the Applicant Certification Form, Subgrantee Utilization Form, and Candidate Experience Forms. Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in disqualification from the evaluation process.

Ensure all forms are submitted and formatted as instructed; incomplete or late applications will be disqualified.