CHAP Joins Colleagues at Healthy Start’s Annual Grantee Meeting

Yesterday, we joined organizations and colleagues from across the country for Healthy Start’s Annual All-Grantee Meeting.

In a conversation moderated by Mia Morrison from HRSA’s Healthy Start Branch, together with Maisha DouyonCover of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Cynthia Dean from Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium, Inc., CHAP Director Wendy McWeeny discussed sustaining the work of Healthy Start grantees at this critical time.

Maisha shared the work CareFirst is doing to support maternal health in the Maryland region; Cynthia talked about how augmenting Healthy Start funds with other grants has allowed her to create a thriving organization in Missouri; and Wendy presented ways grantees can partner with philanthropy to strengthen community-based models of care, including asking for paid staff positions, technical assistance and capacity building funds, and support for billing efforts to maintain programs and positions through Medicaid reimbursement.

For 35 years, Healthy Start has been focused on reducing maternal and infant mortality. We’re grateful to have been part of this year’s conference and to have heard so many stories from organizations on the ground making a difference for women, children, and families.