Health New England Awards $100,000 in Grants for DEIB in Maternal/Infant Health – 18 Local Non-profit Organizations Benefit
Posted on October 5, 2022
SPRINGFIELD, MA – (September 19, 2022) – Health New England has awarded $100,000 in grants to non-profit organizations that address inequities to improve maternal and infant health. The company’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Grants went to 18 organizations in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties.
The company’s DEIB grants were designed to fund local non-profit organizations that focus on health equity and engaging around at least one social determinant of health (SDOH). SDOHs are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age that affect health, quality of life and life expectancy. These may include socioeconomic status, food insecurity, education, access to health care, safe housing, discrimination, violence, and trauma, etc.
The winners of Health New England’s DEIB grants and the projects the grants are funding are:
Berkshire County:
- Berkshire Family YMCA, Tumbling Tots Playground
- Berkshire Health System/Operation Better Start, Healthy Eating Matters
- Hilltown Village Inc, DBA It Takes a Village, The Village Closet
- Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires, Gathering for Health
Hampden County
- Christina’s House, Healthy Living Program
- Douglas Thom Clinic, Thom Infant and Toddler Services
- Educare Springfield, Healthcare access and healthy lifestyle education including visits from an Early Child Educator, nurse services, and nutritious food
- Holyoke Health Center, Community-Based Lactation Counseling
- The Care Center, Bard Microcollege Holyoke
- Indian Orchard Citizens Council, HEAP – IO Healthcare Equity and Access Program
- Valley Opportunity Council, Early Education and Care
Hampshire County
- Early Childhood Center at the Northampton Public Schools, Early Childhood Center
Franklin County
- Franklin County Community Meals Program, Building Food Security in Franklin County
Worcester County
- North Star Family Services, North Star – family homeless shelter
Multiple Counties
- Pioneer Valley Waldorf Association – The Hartsbrook School (Hampden and Hampshire counties), Dig In!
- Empty Arms Bereavement Support (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties), Understanding the Infant Loss Experience Among Marginalized
- International Language Institute of MA, (Berkshire Franklin Hampshire Hampden Counties), Free English Program for Immigrants and Refugees
- Just Roots, (Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire counties), Food Access and Equity Program
Health New England focused the grants on maternal and infant health after its Community Health Needs Assessment showed that Black women in Berkshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties are more likely to receive inadequate prenatal care compared to White women. The same holds for Latinas in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.
“Health New England is committed and proud to partner with local organizations working to advance the full spectrum of maternal and infant health. We value the work being done locally and community partners who are invested and care in the health and longevity the families in our community,” said Katie Bruno, Health New England’s Public Health and Wellness Program Manager.
Health New England, a Baystate Health-owned not-for-profit health plan, continues to invest in the health and well-being of the people in the communities it serves. Over the last five years, Health New England’s grants have provided more than $1.9 million in funding to nonprofits in Western and Central Massachusetts.
About Health New England
Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, Health New England is a not-for-profit health plan serving members in Massachusetts and Connecticut. A wholly owned subsidiary of Baystate Health, Health New England offers a range of health care plans in the commercial, Medicaid and Medicare markets. For more information, visit healthnewengland.org.
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