The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is offering a grant to a single organization with the capability to enhance healthy pregnancies through pregnancy loss prevention and provide bereavement support. This initiative aims to address stillbirths and infant deaths in Minnesota, aligning with MDH's mission to promote public health and well-being. The grant specifically seeks to connect families to mental and physical health support referrals and directly offer statewide bereavement support to grieving parents or caregivers. The funding ranges from $100,000 to $500,000, with an estimated $130,000 per year for a three-year duration, starting January 2, 2025, and ending December 31, 2027.
The program's primary beneficiaries are parents, legal guardians, foster parents, and extended family members who provided immediate care to a deceased infant, or parents who have experienced a stillbirth in Minnesota. The overarching impact goal is to reduce pregnancy loss and ensure that families experiencing such a loss receive comprehensive grief and loss support. The selected organization must be prepared to offer statewide services immediately upon contract signing, coordinating resources and related activities as appropriate.
The core priorities of this grant are two-fold: providing grief and loss support and promoting pregnancy loss prevention strategies. Eligible activities include consultations, referrals to local public health nursing agencies, assisting families in navigating bereavement-related resources, and educating healthcare providers. The grant also supports the development and maintenance of a website for information and resources, as well as the evaluation of services through participant feedback. MDH may also provide data on fetal and infant deaths to support the grantee's approved workplan.
Expected outcomes include improved access to grief and loss support services for families across Minnesota, increased awareness and adoption of pregnancy loss prevention strategies, and enhanced coordination of resources and services for grieving families. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of families served, the types of referrals made, the reach of outreach strategies, and participant feedback on the effectiveness of the support services. The strategic priority is to build a robust support system for families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and emotional well-being for Minnesotan families.
