Disparities in Perinatal Health Border, Alaska and Hawaii | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Disparities in Perinatal Health Border, Alaska and Hawaii funding opportunity (HRSA-09-131)?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the Healthy Start Initiative (CFDA 93.926). It is identified as HRSA-09-131 and is focused on reducing serious and persistent disparities in perinatal health outcomes that contribute to infant mortality.

What is the main purpose of this program?

The purpose is to reduce harmful gaps in perinatal health outcomes that contribute to infant mortality, particularly where the burden falls disproportionately on one or more subpopulations. The program targets places with clear, damaging disparities in indicators such as inadequate prenatal care, anemia, and other factors linked to poor birth outcomes and higher infant death rates.

Which geographic areas are eligible or targeted?

The program has a specific geographic focus on (1) communities located within 62 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, or (2) communities in Alaska, or (3) communities in Hawaii.

What types of health issues or indicators does HRSA consider relevant for demonstrating need?

The announcement emphasizes significant disparities in perinatal health indicators contributing to high infant mortality. Examples referenced include inadequate prenatal care and anemia, along with other factors associated with poor birth outcomes and elevated infant death rates, especially when concentrated in particular subpopulations.

What makes this opportunity different from programs that only cover pregnancy or immediate postpartum care?

A defining feature is that funded projects must address both the pregnancy period and the interconceptional period (the time between pregnancies). Projects are expected to support women and infants continuously for two years following delivery, not only during pregnancy and immediately after birth.

What is the interconceptional period, as described in the opportunity?

The interconceptional period is the time between pregnancies. In this program, HRSA emphasizes supporting families beyond delivery to promote healthier spacing between pregnancies and to reduce the likelihood of returning to unhealthy risk behaviors over time.

How long must services continue after delivery under this program?

The program description indicates that applicants are expected to provide continuous support for two years following delivery.

What are the main eligibility expectations HRSA highlighted for applicants?

HRSA emphasized three main elements applicants should be able to demonstrate: (1) the target area shows significant disparities in perinatal indicators contributing to high infant mortality rates in one or more subpopulations; (2) the applicant has a planned or existing active consortium of stakeholders engaged in a perinatal disparity reduction initiative; and (3) the application presents a feasible plan to reduce barriers to care, strengthen or improve the local perinatal system of care, and make measurable progress toward eliminating disparities.

What does HRSA mean by an "active consortium" in this context?

The opportunity highlights that HRSA is looking for community-based collaboration rather than isolated services. An active consortium refers to a multi-stakeholder group that is planned or already operating and engaged in a perinatal disparity reduction initiative, with partners working across health care, public health, and social support systems.

What kinds of strategies are required under the Healthy Start model for this opportunity?

Funded sites must implement or adapt core Healthy Start strategies, specifically: consortium building, case management, and outreach.

Are there expectations about cultural or language responsiveness?

Yes. Projects are expected to deliver consortium building, case management, and outreach in culturally and linguistically sensitive ways, reflecting the realities of the communities served (including language access, cultural practices, and local trust dynamics).

Does the opportunity require collaboration with other programs and systems?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate existing or planned collaborations with key state and local service and resource systems. The program description signals an expectation of strong coordination so families experience a more connected and navigable perinatal system of care.

What are examples of systems or partners HRSA expects applicants to coordinate with?

The announcement references coordination with programs and systems that touch maternal and infant health, such as Medicaid and public insurance pathways, WIC and nutrition supports, behavioral health services, home visiting resources, substance use treatment (where relevant), and local clinical providers and hospitals.

Is the focus primarily on direct services, or does HRSA expect system-level improvement?

HRSA’s stated expectations emphasize readiness and a credible strategy for system-level improvement. Applicants are expected to reduce barriers to care, strengthen or improve the local perinatal system of care, and demonstrate measurable progress toward eliminating disparities, not just provide stand-alone direct services.

How many awards were expected under this announcement?

HRSA anticipated making three awards under this funding opportunity.

What was the estimated total funding amount for the program?

The estimated total program funding amount was $2,425,000.

What was the expected funding range per award?

Individual awards were expected to range from $750,000 (award floor) to $925,000 (award ceiling).

Was cost sharing or a match required?

No. The announcement states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What was the posting date and application deadline for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on October 20, 2008, and had a closing date of December 5, 2008.

Is this funding opportunity still active?

The opportunity was later archived on February 9, 2009. Based on the provided information, it is an older, archived competition rather than an active open solicitation.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The program is listed under CFDA 93.926 as part of the Healthy Start Initiative.

Who was eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," with clarification referenced in the full announcement. This typically indicates HRSA may allow a range of organization types depending on the detailed eligibility language in the complete solicitation.

What kinds of applicants were likely to be most competitive, based on the description?

Based on the summary, the most competitive applicants would generally be those that can clearly document local perinatal health disparities tied to infant mortality, demonstrate an active and credible multi-stakeholder consortium, and present an operational plan combining outreach and case management with system coordination to support mothers and infants through pregnancy and the two-year postpartum period.

What should applicants be prepared to show about measurable progress?

HRSA expects a feasible plan that makes measurable progress toward eliminating disparities in perinatal health. The summary does not specify exact measures, but it emphasizes the expectation of measurable improvement tied to disparity reduction and strengthened systems of care.

Where could applicants get help or ask questions about the announcement?

HRSA directed applicants to the HRSA Call Center at CallCenter@HRSA.GOV and provided phone contact options in the announcement materials, along with an external link to the full solicitation for complete requirements and instructions.

Where are the complete requirements and instructions found?

The summary notes that HRSA listed an external link to the full solicitation. The full announcement would contain complete eligibility rules, requirements, and instructions.