Univera Healthcare Awards Grants

By Peter Kates

The Rochester-based health plan that includes Univera Healthcare in Western New York announces the recipients of its first round of Member and Community Health Improvement (MACHI) grants to address severe maternal morbidity (SMM), and related health equity issues. Eight nonprofit organizations across upstate New York, including Gerard Place and Jericho Road Community Health Center in Buffalo, will share $1 million in funding over the next three years.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines SMM as “unexpected outcomes of labor and delivery that result in significant short- or long-term consequences to a woman’s health.” As many as 60,000 Americans each year experience maternal morbidity, including 650 to 750 deaths, according to The Commonwealth Fund. They note these numbers are increasing, and many instances of SMM could have been avoided with improved maternal care before, during, and after childbirth. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows the maternal morbidity rate for non-Hispanic blacks is 2.9 times the rate for non-Hispanic whites.

“We have an opportunity and a responsibility to confront the nation’s crisis in maternal health disparities,” says Gina Cuyler, MD, Univera Healthcare vice president of health equity and community investments. “With this first installment of MACHI award funding, community organizations will have greater capabilities to support safe pregnancies and childbirth, eliminate pregnancy-related health disparities, and improve health outcomes for new mothers and babies.”

The eight nonprofit organizations listed below are receiving funding in this first round of grants.

  • Child & Family Resource Center Inc. in Rochester: Healthy Families project offers support services to expectant and new parents
  • Contact Community Services in Syracuse: 24/7 telephonic hospital follow-up for perinatal and postpartum support
  • Gerard Place in Buffalo: Education, advocacy, mentoring, and clinical tracking of low-income moms by nurse educators
  • Integrated Community Alternatives Network in Utica: Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care, transitional housing, and a supportive peer community for young homeless women who are pregnant and/or parenting
  • Jericho Road Community Health Center in Buffalo: Home visiting support services for refugee and low-income, at-risk pregnant women
  • Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica: Centering Pregnancy program to reduce racial disparities in preterm births
  • Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network in Binghamton: Home/virtual visits to support new parents with breastfeeding, safe sleep, medical appointments and transportation, insurance, and food insecurity through the first year of life.
  • Mount Hope Family Center in Rochester: Home-based interventions for teen moms to address maternal mental health, parenting and child development, and trauma.

Earlier this year, Univera Healthcare invited organizations to apply for MACHI grants to fund programs to eliminate racial, health, and geographical disparities. The health plan’s corporate giving follows all applicable laws and regulations, and does not support funding organizations that conflict with its corporate mission, goals, policies, or products.

Peter Kates is Vice President of Communications at Univera Healthcare.