Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program - Wellstar Health System (Wellstar), one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in Georgia and a Top 5 provider of charity care in the U.S., proposes the Rural Healthcare Access Partnership Program (RHAP) to address the profound disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes affecting historically underserved and rural populations in East Georgia. The program will serve at least 300 participants annually (150 mothers and their newborns) across a nine-county service area including Jefferson, Burke, Emanuel, Washington, Glascock, Warren, McDuffie, Jenkins, and Johnson counties, which are federally designated as rural, medically underserved (MUA/MUP), and within a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). At least 50% of participants will come from the target population of Black mothers and their newborns who experience disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, preterm births, low birthweight, and other adverse perinatal outcomes due to systemic inequities and social determinants of health (SDOH). RHAP’s overarching goals are to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, improve access to perinatal care, and positively impact maternal health outcomes related to social determinants of health (SDOH). Specific objectives include: (i) expanding access to local certified nurse midwifery services at the Jefferson County Prenatal Center two days per week to provide critical perinatal care; (ii) implementing obstetrical care via telehealth and ongoing virtual education to overcome transportation and childcare challenges; (iii) offering access to doula services to provide culturally competent, personalized support throughout pregnancy, labor, and 12 months postpartum; and (iv) providing care coordination services to address upstream barriers such as food insecurity, housing, and insurance enrollment. These objectives align with evidence-based and evidence-informed models including health education and childbirth classes, doula services, telehealth, and care coordination. The expected outcomes of RHAP include a measurable reduction in preterm birth and low birthweight rates, improved maternal and infant health outcomes, increased access to and utilization of perinatal services earlier in pregnancy and postpartum, and strengthened community collaborations to address rural and racial health disparities. RHAP will build and maintain ongoing community partnerships to drive sustainable improvements in the healthcare infrastructure of the service area, ensuring continued access to maternal health services beyond the funding period. Wellstar brings extensive experience in serving rural and underserved populations, including the recent implementation of a Healthy Start program in West Georgia. Wellstar’s Center for Health Equity has a demonstrated history of forming and maintaining collaborative partnerships to address SDOH and improve health outcomes. RHAP will leverage this expertise to establish a Rural Community Consortium (RCC) comprised of healthcare providers, public health departments, academic institutions, and community-based organizations, ensuring shared decision-making and robust community engagement. This RHAP program qualifies for the Special Track of Maternal Health and Health Professional Shortage and Medically Underserved preference as it will directly benefit rural underserved populations that experience significant health disparities. Supporting documentation is provided in Attachment 11.
