WILMINGTON — Community Care of the Lower Cape Fear has received a $350,000, two-year-and-four-month grant from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health-Women’s Health Branch to improve (reduce) maternal morbidity and mortality rates in Perinatal Care Region V.
Funding supports the Perinatal Nurse Champion program, focusing on maternal health initiatives to identify evidence-based guidelines and educate providers in the state’s birthing hospitals, community health centers, health departments and physician practices.
North Carolina has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, ranking 41st of 51 among all states and the District of Columbia. This accounts for 587 North Carolina babies that died in the first year of their life in 2018, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services – State Center for Health Statistics.
Promoting the development of collaborative systems and educating nursing staff and other allied health professionals in PCR V is a critically important aspect of providing high-quality healthcare in North Carolina and a top priority for CCLCF. The Perinatal Nurse Champion Program initiative builds on CCLCF’s experience and expertise managing the Pregnancy Medical Home program for high-risk, pregnant Medicaid women in our region.
CCLCF was one of three organizations that received grant funding across North Carolina and will support New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, Robeson, Sampson, Cumberland, Harnett, Moore, Hoke, Montgomery, Bladen, Pender, Richmond, and Scotland counties beginning June 1, 2020.
