The mission of the Minnesota Department of Human Services is to improve public health and promote the well-being of all Minnesotans by implementing comprehensive and responsive service programs aimed at vulnerable and underserved populations, including initiatives designed to target health disparities and improve the quality of life.
The grant program focuses on providing integrated, culturally supportive perinatal care specifically tailored for American Indian communities at high risk for low birth weight and preterm births. It aims to leverage the expertise and creativity of organizations in creating partnerships that enhance the delivery of services to individuals facing adverse birth outcomes due to prematurity and low birth weight. The grant outlines specific goals which include: facilitating early identification and support for pregnant individuals at risk, increasing the effectiveness of interventions to mitigate psychosocial and behavioral risks associated with low-birth-weight births, enhancing the utilization of paraprofessionals in providing support and connecting clients to services, and improving the retention of maternal custody.