Bay area program awarded $50,000 to help combat infant and maternal mortality

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Parents as Teachers Plus (PAT+), a program of Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, just received a $50,000 grant to help combat infant and maternal mortality.

The money is considered a Challenge Grant from the Parents As Teachers National Center.

The grant is being used to train and certify 20 community doulas, facilitate mentorship programs for the credentialed doulas and provide trauma informed training for staff therapists.

The goal is to reduce maternal and infant mortality of at risk, substance use disorder affected pregnant people.

“We are truly grateful for the support from Parents As Teachers National Center. This grant will enable us to expand our services, empower our community, and make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of high-risk families in our community. We look forward to the positive outcomes that will result from this initiative,” said Linda Thielmann, MS, Director of PAT+ Pinellas.

According to the Florida Department of Health, in 2021, the infant mortality rate in Hillsborough County was significantly higher than the rest of the state, with Black babies dying at the highest rates.