2011 - 2012 Request for Proposals and

Application Guidelines forChapter Grants Program

  • Community Based Programs
  • Hospital Based Perinatal Quality Improvement Projects

GRANT SCHEDULE

Community Based Letters of Intent dueAugust 9, 2010

Community Based Full Proposal InvitationsSeptember 10, 2010

Community Based Full Proposals dueOctober 15, 2010

Hospital Based Perinatal Quality Improvement Proposals dueOctober 15, 2010

All Grant Notification of AwardsDecember 6, 2010

Disbursement Awarded December 18, 2010 - June 30,2011 Grant Period January 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012

March of Dimes

Washington Chapter

1904 Third Ave

Seattle, WA 98101

206-624-1373

BACKGROUND

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies.

Launched in 2003, the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign is a multiyear, multimillion-dollar research, awareness and education campaign to help families have healthier babies. The campaign includes: 1.) funding research to find the causes of premature birth, 2.) educating women about risk reduction strategies, including the signs and symptoms of premature labor, 3.) providing support to families affected by prematurity, 4.) expanding access to health care coverage so that more women can get early and adequate prenatal care, 5.) helping health care providers learn ways to help reduce the risk of early delivery, and 6.) advocating for access to insurance to improve maternity care and infant health outcomes.

PURPOSE

As part of this national effort, the Washington Chapter community grants program is designed to invest in priority projects that further the March of Dimes mission, support national campaign objectives, and further our strategic goal of reducing disparities in birth outcomes. Proposals will be accepted from organizations with the capacity, competence and experience to accomplish project goals and objectives.

FUNDING PRIORITY AREAS

All grant proposals must address the March of Dimes mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Projects may focus on consumers and/or health care providers.

The Washington Chapter is accepting grant applications for twospecific funding priority areas:

  1. Community Based Programs

Implementing disparity-related community programs that aim to decrease racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes.

This may include March of Dimes programs or curriculum such as Stork’s Nest ® or Becoming A Mom®

Stork’s Nest ®

Becoming A Mom®: includes appendix to adapt curriculum to meet Hispanic, African –American or American Indian/Alaska Native cultural needs.

  1. Hospital Based Perinatal Quality Improvement

Projects focused on Perinatal Quality Improvement initiatives that address systems that follow professional guidelines regarding elective labor inductions and cesarean sections performed prior to 39 weeks. Hospitals outside the greater metropolitan areas in the State are encouraged to apply.

This may include the use of the March of Dimes California Tool Kit to Transform Maternity Care: Elimination of Non-Medically Indicated Deliveries <39 Weeks Gestational Age QI Tool Kit

This Tool Kit will be available to the public by August 1, 2010. For content preview, please contact Elaine Noonan via email:

Special Consideration will be given to applications that:

a)help reduce disparities in premature birth;

b)utilize existing programs and/or materials; March of Dimes or other reputable organization;

c)utilize social media

d)are evidence based;

e)include measurable outcomes;

*The March of Dimes does not fund billable health care provider services.

FUNDING AVAILABLE

Funds allocated for the 2010 Grant Period will be rolled into the 2011 – 2012 Grant Awards.

The Chapter Grant Program will fund 18 month projects for 2011 – 2012 Grant Period.

It is anticipated that:

  • Three (3) Community Based Programs will be funded at $20,000 each.

Project range is up to 18 months from January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

  • Six (6) Hospital Based Perinatal Quality Improvement Projects will be funded at $5,000 each.

Project range is 18 months from January 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012

Applications for our next funding cycle will be available June 2011 for the 2012 – 2013 Grant Period.

WHO CAN APPLY & ELIGIBILITY

Proposals will be accepted from organizations with the capacity, competence and experience to accomplish project goals and objectives.

In order to be eligible to receive a March of Dimes chapter grant, an organization must be an incorporated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or for profit organization or government agency. The March of Dimes does not award grants to individuals. Applicants must disclose any conflict of interest due to representation by their organization on the chapter’s Program Services Committee or the Chapter or Division Board of Directors.

The applicant must provide services in Washington State. However, SW Washington counties Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, Wahkiakum are funded through the March of Dimes Greater Oregon Chapter. For information on the Greater Oregon Chapter grants program go to

Please Note:

March of Dimes chapter grants do not fund research projects. For information about research grants funded by the March of Dimes national office, please refer to the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com, or email the Office of Research and Grants Administration at .

Grant Overview and Application Instructions for Priority #1

~COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS~

LETTER OF INTENT FORMAT

The first step in the application process is to submit a Letter of Intent. The letter is limited to the cover sheet and an additional two pages that must address the following questions:

  1. Which of the funding priorities is the project addressing?
  2. Who is the target audience? And, why?
  3. How many people will the project reach?
  4. What are the key measurable objectives/activities?
  5. How will project success be evaluated?
  6. What is the amount of funding requested?
  7. What are the major budget categories?

SUBMITTING LETTER OF INTENT

The Letter of Intent must be received by 4 pm on August 9, 2010.

Please email your cover page and Letter of Intent in PDF format to .

Please also send theoriginal and a copy of the cover page and letter of Intent by US mail to:

Elaine Noonan, State Director

March of Dimes Washington Chapter

1904 Third Ave #230

Seattle, WA 98101

206-624-1373

REVIEW AND NOTIFICATION

The Chapter’s multidisciplinary March of Dimes Grant Committee will review the Letters of Intent, and full proposals. Applicants selected to submit a full proposal will be notified by email on September 10, 2010. Full proposals will be due to the Chapter by October 15, 2010. Notification of grant awards will be made by email on December 6, 2010. Please be advised that Letters of Intent and proposals are non-binding.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS for Full Proposals for Community Based Programs

Following the Letter of Intent, selected organizationswill be asked to submit a fullproposal for a $20,000 grant. Funds may be applied to support new or existing programs.

  • Applications must be no longer than 12 double-spaced pages (excluding required forms and letters of collaboration/agreement).
  • Font size must be at least 12 point and margins must be at least 1 inch.
  • All Letter of Intent applications must include a Cover Sheet, Narrative (including Abstract), Budget Form and Objectives and Activities Form. The Narrative section must include the six required components (see Application Format A-F, page 7)
  • Letters of collaboration/agreement from any listed partnering organizations must be included.
  • An original application and one copy must be received by US mail AND one copy by email by the deadline date.
  • Applications may not be faxed.
  • Applications that exceed the maximum page limitation will not be reviewed.

GRANTEE REQUIREMENTS

In order to receive grant funds, all grantees must sign and return the March of Dimes chapter grant agreement by December 18, 2010. The inclusion of this agreement is non-binding, and intended only to highlight for potential grantees the basic terms and conditions under which they will be expected to operate should they be awarded a grant. Responsibilities include submission of two written progress and expenditure reports to theMarch of DimesWashington Chapter office. Grantees must also get written approval for any changes in project design or implementation, variance from the submitted budget or changes in staff overseeing the project.

DISTRIBUTION OF AWARD

The first payment will be distributed once the Chapter has received the signed Grant Agreement and W-9 from the grantee. Following receipt and approval of the Interim Report (due date: September 1, 2011) the remainder of the award will be disbursed.

APPLICATION FORMAT

I.COVER SHEET

Completely fill out attached Cover Sheet

II.PROGRAM NARRATIVE - Not to exceed 12 double-spaced pages total

(Six required components: A-F)

A. Program Abstract - one (1) page

Provide a one-page summary of the program

B. Description - suggested length 3-4 pages

  1. Which of the funding priorities is the program addressing?
  2. What needs or problems (i.e. local statistics) would be addressed through this initiative?
  3. How will the program have an impact on these needs or problems?Who will be the primary beneficiaries of this program?
  4. What is the capacity of the applicant to carry out the program (include experience working with the primary participant group)?
  5. How will the program be announced to the community?
  6. How will the program results be shared?

C. Program Objectives, Activities and Methods - suggested length 3-4 pages, not including form (for guidance, please see Outcomes on next page)

  1. What planning activities will take place before program startup?
  2. How will progress be monitored?
  3. What are the staff responsibilities?
  4. What is the role of collaborating organizations (if applicable)?
  5. Using the enclosed form, list the program’s measurable objective and activities.

D. Evaluation Plan - suggested length 1-2 pages

  1. How will the successes, challenges and impact of the program be evaluated? (include how the program objective will be evaluated and how participant input will be incorporated).
  2. Who will design and carry out the program evaluation?

E. Program Impact - suggested length < 1 page

  1. How will the program make a difference in the lives of participants?Describe the potential for sustainability beyond the funding period through alternate sources of funding or a change in organizational systems or procedures that will sustain the program's impact.

F. Budget

Please complete the attached budget form, and provide written budget justifications to detail each item on the budget form. Please include the calculation(s) used to estimate costs.

Allowable Costs Include:

  • Salary - grant funds may be used to cover salaries for program-related employees, but cannot be used to pay salary costs for employees who are already employed full time. Exceptions may be made in circumstances where a specified position is supported primarily by grant funds and the applicant can demonstrate that the requested funds would replace existing grant funds.
  • Consultant fees
  • Materials and supplies (e.g. office supplies, health-related materials, refreshments)
  • Printing and travel that are reasonable and necessary for program implementation. March of Dimes funds will not pay for first class travel.

Not Allowable Costs Include:

These items should not be included in the grant budget request:

  • Salary costs for staff who are already employed full-time by their organization
  • Construction, alteration, maintenance of buildings or building space
  • Dues for organizational membership in professional societies
  • Tuition, conference fees or awards for individuals (exception may include any professional training related to project)
  • Billable services provided by physicians or other providers
  • Permanent equipment (e.g., computers, video monitors, software printers, furniture) unless essential to project implementation and not available from other sources
  • Justification for developing or purchasing educational materials from non-March of Dimes sources if comparable materials are available.
  • Indirect costs
  • Advertising materials and purchase of media time/space: Budget costs relating to these items may not be allowable depending on project specifics. Please consult with the chapter contact listed in this application regarding whether proposed items are allowable.

Please see the March of Dimes Policy on Child Care at marchofdimes.com/washington for recommendations regarding the provision of child care services for participants at trainings and/or workshops funded by chapter community grants.

OUTCOMES

Reporting outcomes for your grant funded project does not have to be complicated. Outcomes are benefits to clients from participation in the program. Outcomes for March of Dimes projects are usually in terms of changes in knowledge, behavior or birth outcomes. Outcomes are often mistaken with program outputs or units of services such as the number of clients who went through a program. To measure outcomes, baseline data is needed for comparison with data collected during and after project implementation. Proposals are expected to include at least one objective that seeks to change knowledge, behavior or birth outcomes. Proposals that meet this expectation will score higher in the review process.

Information found on this website may help you identify an outcome objective for your project: Here are some sample objectives to give you ideas for content and wording. Please notice the references to baseline data.

  • Intent to Change Behavior - By December 2011, 80% of participants will agree to make at least one positive behavior change as a result of attending the prenatal classes as measured by client interviews. (Baseline will come from intake interviews.)
  • Behavior Change– By December 2011, at least 50% of participants enrolled in the program will have improved eating habits by reporting increased intake of fruits/vegetables and water consumption as measured by client surveys. (Baseline will come from intake interviews.)
  • Behavior Change - By December 2011, the number of women accessing adequate perinatal care (at least 13 prenatal visits beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy) at XYZ Health Center will increase from 125/year (baseline) to 150/year through the services of a Patient Navigator as measured by a review of client records.
  • Change in Birth Outcome - By December 2011, decrease the percentage of preterm births among women enrolled in the project from 18% (baseline) to 16.5% as measured medical records review.
  • Behavior Change - By December 2011, increase the percentage of pregnant women enrolled in the project who have a prenatal visit in the first trimester of pregnancy from 40% (baseline) to 50% as measured by medical records review.
  • Behavior Change - By December 2011, 50% of program participants will demonstrate a decrease in stress as measured by pre/post-tests. (Baseline will come from pre-test results.)
  • Knowledge Change - By December 2011, 60% of program participants will demonstrate an increase in the perinatal knowledge test as measured by pre/post-tests. (Baseline will come from pre-test results.)

APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Please refer to the following checklist to ensure that your application submission is complete.

Application is not longer than 12 double-spaced pages (excluding forms and attachments).

Font size is at least 12 point and margins are at least 1 inch.

Project narrative (including one page abstract) includes all required components and addresses all questions.

Priority area is clearly marked on the Cover Sheet and program objective and activities are tightly focused on the selected priority area.

Grant amount requested falls within the allowable range, and requested line items fall within allowable cost items.

Budget totals have been checked for accuracy.

Application includes all required attachments

  • Completed and signed Cover Sheet (indicate one primary priority area)
  • Include (2) project contact names and information
  • Completed and signed Budget Form
  • Completed Objectives and Methods/Activities Form
  • Letters of Collaboration from partnering organizations
  • Application includes optional attachments as deemed relevant to the application.
  • Submission includes original and one copy sent by US mail and one copy via email.

Applications must be received by 4:00PM on October 15, 2010

Late applications will not be accepted. Proposals should be sent to:

Elaine Noonan, State Director

March of Dimes Washington Chapter

1904 Third Ave #230

Seattle, WA 98101

If you have questions regarding the March of Dimes Washington Chapter community grants application please contact Elaine Noonan at

206-624-1373 or 1-800-291-DIME or

Grant Overview and Application Instructions for Priority #2

~HOSPITAL BASED PERINATAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (QI) PROJECT:

ELIMINATE ELECTIVE DELIVERIES >39 WEEKS~

March of Dimes Quality Improvement Initiative:

In April of 2010, The Joint Commission will be including elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks as a core performance measure.The March of Dimes Washington Chapter, in partnership with the Washington State Perinatal Collaborative, is driving an initiative to eliminate all elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks. The initiative will be implemented through the immediate rollout of the following change models:

  • Public Strategy: To inform women, the general public, business and healthcare community about the importance of getting to 39 weeks.
  • Perinatal QI Project: To support hospitals in defining policies and procedures to eliminate all elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks.

Tool Kit:

The March of Dimes California Chapter, in partnership with California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) and State of California MCH, has developed a Elimination of Non-Medically Indicated Deliveries <39 Weeks Gestational Age QI Tool Kit that will support hospitals in establishing policies and procedures to eliminate elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks.

The Tool Kit manual will contain the following:

• MD & Staff Training Powerpoint Presentation

• Patient Informed Consent Form

• Implementation Guide

• MD and Patient Education materials

• Workflow Analysis

• Cesarean Delivery / Induction Scheduling Form

• Quality Improvement Tools

• Data Collection Tools

Applicants are strongly encouraged but not required to utilize the Tool Kit.

This Tool Kit will be available to the public by August 1, 2010.

For content preview, please contact Elaine Noonan via email: