IO26 Integration of Oral Health into Prenatal Care Program Solicitation

The Integration of Oral Health into Prenatal Care Program (IO26) is a continuation funding opportunity managed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), specifically under the Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health’s Oral Health Program. The program is designed to integrate oral health services into prenatal care settings across Ohio, improving maternal and child health outcomes through accessible, coordinated care. Funding is federally sourced through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. This continuation opportunity is limited to agencies that were previously funded under the IO25 initiative. Eligible applicants include Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Third Street Family Health Services. The grant supports a funding period from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, which falls within a broader project timeline extending from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2027. A total of up to $150,000 is available, with a maximum of $50,000 per agency. The minimum request must be at least $30,000. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Grants Management Information System Portal (GMISP) by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025. Faxed, hand-delivered, or mailed submissions are not accepted. The application consists of three parts: program updates, budget and budget narrative, and required attachments. These must adhere to specific formatting requirements, including 12-point Calibri font, 1.5 line spacing, and one-inch margins. Program narratives must explain any changes in scope, personnel, or partnerships. Agencies must report on deliverables, including monthly and quarterly data related to oral health assessments, education during prenatal visits, and dental referrals categorized by urgency. A final program report summarizing achievements and challenges is also required. Funding must be used exclusively for deliverable-based objectives such as implementation reporting and program evaluation. Deliverable 1 focuses on reporting and has a cap of $45,000, while Deliverable 2, which addresses evaluation and outreach strategies to improve dental referral completions, is capped at $5,000. Funds cannot be used for prohibited expenses such as lobbying, inpatient services, or providing direct clinical services. Applicants must comply with ODH and federal guidelines, including the Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200), and submit documentation such as audit reports, civil rights questionnaires, and FFATA forms. The program emphasizes health disparity reduction and encourages targeting at-risk populations, including victims of human trafficking. Ongoing reporting is required throughout the funding period, with monthly and quarterly deadlines for both program and expenditure reports. For assistance, applicants can contact Star Sawicki, the Oral Health Integration Program Coordinator, at (614) 644-8496 or via email at Star.Sawicki@odh.ohio.gov. Additionally, a reimbursement type form must be submitted by April 30, 2025, to Geoff Grove at Geoff.Grove@odh.ohio.gov.