Reducing Infant Mortality in Communities
Forecasted
Reducing Infant Mortality in Communities supports North Carolina health departments and districts in providing evidence-based services to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality and disparities.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Optional Notice of Intent) | October 2027 (Application)
Funding Amounts: $150,000–$200,000 per state fiscal year for three years; 8–10 awards
Summary: Supports local health departments and districts implementing evidence-based strategies to improve birth outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and eliminate health disparities.
Key Information: Applicants must select two of four strategies with community input and establish a community partnership for each.
Description
Reducing Infant Mortality in Communities (RIMC) awards competitive grants to North Carolina local health departments and districts to implement evidence-based approaches addressing pregnancy intendedness, preterm birth, and infant mortality. The program is administered by NCDHHS’s Division of Public Health, Women, Infant and Community Wellness Section, Infant and Community Health Branch.
Eliminating perinatal health disparities is a central priority, including reducing disparities between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic African American infant mortality. Applicants select two strategies from breastfeeding support, doula services, group prenatal care, and infant safe sleep services. Community members must participate in strategy selection and service development, with services reaching people beyond existing health department patients. Funding comes from HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.
