Centering Louisiana Strong Start: Improving Maternal Health Outcomes & Reducing Preterm Births in Louisiana
Louisiana was awarded $1,554,609.63 in federal Strong Start funds on February 15, 2013 to implement Centering Pregnancy in six site locations throughout Louisiana. This four year program was convened by Amerigroup Public Policy Institute and administered by Southeast Louisiana as 3rd Party Administrator.
Louisiana ranks among the highest for preterm birth and infant mortality rates. This program will improve Louisiana maternal health outcomes by implementing the CenteringPregnancy model defined by the Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) in four Louisiana hospitals (6 site locations) that serve high-risk populations in metropolitan areas with the support of community-based organizations and Bayou health plans. Funds made possible by the Strong Start Initiative will fund providers with seed money to facilitate extended group prenatal care visits, provide increased health education including a specialized Text4baby component, and foster peer support relationships to enhance the care provided to Louisiana women on Medicaid with high-risk pregnancies.
Contact Gayla Strahan @ 985-345-1119 or email gayla.strahan@selahec.com for participating Bayou CenteringPregnancy Program sites.
“The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS-1D1-12-001 from the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation.”