Healthy Start Initiative

The purpose of the Healthy Start (HS) program is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy, and reduce differences in rates of infant death and adverse perinatal outcomes. The HS program provides grants to high-risk communities w

The purpose of the Healthy Start (HS) program is to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy, and reduce differences in rates of infant death and adverse perinatal outcomes. The HS program provides grants to high-risk communities with infant mortality rates at least 1.5 times the U.S. national average and high rates of other adverse perinatal outcomes (e.g., low birthweight, preterm birth, maternal morbidity and mortality). The legislation requires HS to work to reduce the disparities in health status between the general population and individuals in various sub-groups (e.g., geographic, racial, etc.).

State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), Quasi-public nonprofit institution/organization, Native American Organizations (includes lndian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, associations)

Service area residents, particularly women and infants 0-18 months, in areas with significant perinatal health disparities.

The Healthy Start (HS) program continues to reduce high infant mortality rates and disparities in adverse perinatal outcomes by: 1) implementing community-based, direct and enabling services for pregnant, preconception and interconception women, fathers/partners and children from birth through 18 months; and, 2) developing and implementing plans to improve social determinants of health impacting perinatal health outcomes by leveraging partnerships within their Community Consortia comprised of diverse, multi-sector partners (including individuals with lived experience). HS programs offer culturally competent services for enrolled HS participants that increase access to screening and referrals, case management and care coordination, health and parenting education and linkage to clinical care. Additionally, HS grantees work to improve infant and maternal health outcomes for the entire service area by partnering with other organizations, agencies and families to promote systems integration, coordination, and collaboration to advance community change and increase access to services and supports. HS grantees also coordinate and align with State Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant programs to promote cooperation, integration, and dissemination of information with statewide systems and with other community services funded under Title V.

Funds may not be used to supplant currently funded activities/services.

Refer to the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). Awards are made annually, in accordance with the project period method of awarding grants.

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Evaluation criteria vary based on the grant/cooperative agreement program. Refer to criteria included in the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for each specific program.

All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Based on the recommendations of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions. Notification is made in writing by a Notice of Award.

Final decisions are made 4 to 6 months after receipt of applications

After initial awards, annual noncompetitive awards may be made contingent upon the submission of noncompetitive applications/progress reports and availability of funds and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the federal government.