2026
SWMPQIC “Small Projects” Grant
SWMPQIC had unallocated funds and wanted to ensure they were being utilized to improve health outcomes in the region. Therefore they opened a small project grant proposal in March allowing people to write for up to $10,000. We received an unexpectedly high amount of proposals but were able to award 10 agencies across the region. Anyone based in Region 8, working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, was welcome and encouraged to apply.
YWCA-Wish Program
YWCA will support WISH program participants with hypertension disorders to overcome barriers when caring for their condition like transportation barriers to attend urgent follow-up appointments, heart-healthy foods to support blood pressure management, and other preventative basic needs that prevent timely intervention.
Corewell Health-Center for Wellness
Corewell Center for Wellness will provide care bags to birthing people and their support person who participate in their Family-Centered Childbirth and Lactation classes. Care bags include essential postpartum and newborn care and safety supplies and educational materials.
Burma Center
The Burma Center will train and equip staff to support the mental health of Burmese and immigrant families in multiple dialects while creating a culturally and linguistically responsive facilitation toolkit.
Help Me Grow-Calhoun ISD
Help Me Grow Calhoun ISD will support the navigator to connect rural families to needed resources and “new parent toolkits” provide educational materials.
Kaybee Ventures
KAYBEE Ventures will provide housing that can support 10 perinatal families, educational workshops for 50 families on homeownership, health and financial literacy and advocacy paired with resource toolboxes that include food resources, health education materials, stress management, grounding tools, self-regulation techniques, budgeting information and wellness referrals.
Bronson Methodist Hospital
Bronson Methodist Hospital will develop and distribute Preterm Delivery Stabilization Kits and staff education to 9 regional Emergency Departments without NICUs. The kits will ensure emergency teams have rapid access to appropriately sized neonatal equipment during unexpected preterm deliveries to stabilize prior to transport to a hospital with a NICU.
Branch County CAPA
CAPA Branch County will connect families to resources and educational materials at their community baby shower. The event is brining in many community health programs and doulas to connect directly with families.
Milk Like Mine
Milk Like Mine will host three events in August in recognition of National Breastfeeding Month to educate, engage, and empower parents and caregivers to support breastfeeding.
Van Buren Great Start Collaborative
Van Buren Great Start Collaborative will address unmet or under met needs of families through education materials and infant safety or essential items. Items will support their Early On, Parents as Teachers, and partnering community programs.
Van Buren-Cass Health Department
Van Buren Cass Health Dept. will increase awareness, education and access to maternal and infant immunizations through outreach, provider partnerships, and community events. The project will create educational materials that will be utilized in provider offices and at two community baby showers.