Rep. Doggett Helps Deliver Over $1 Million for Maternal Health Care in Central Texas

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"These funds to address maternal health are especially needed here, since Texas has one of the worst infant mortality and maternal mortality rates in the country, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Investing in comprehensive, culturally competent care with strengthened community resources can respond to this preventable public health crisis, largely the result of Abbott Administration indifference," said Rep. Doggett. "This investment encourages Black Mamas ATX to continue its important work to end disparities and decrease mortality rates by ensuring every family has the support system needed during their first year postpartum. We seek an environment where Black mothers and their babies can thrive."

"We are excited to learn that we have received the HRSA Healthy Start Initiative grant. Black Mamas ATX is a group of everyday women dedicated to an extraordinary movement to save the lives of Black mothers," said Black Mamas ATX Executive Director Kelenne Blake. "We will use this grant to continue our collaborative work with Healing Hands Community Doula Project and the Maternal Health Equity Collaborative to support mothers and birthing folx from the Black and Brown communities we collectively serve so we can all survive and thrive before, during and after childbirth. Through this grant, we will provide perinatal support services before, during and after pregnancy and combine community-based, supportive services from doulas and perinatal community health workers (PCHWs) into a streamlined and comprehensive model, while also increasing access to some of the necessary but less addressed areas of clinical care like mental health support and lactation support."

Findings in a 2023 provisional report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that Texas had the highest number of infant mortalities in 2022 with more than 2,200 deaths-an increase from the year prior. Nationally, Black women are also three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women and more than twice as likely to die in Texas.

For more information and a complete list of services Black Mamas ATX provides, click here.

For a complete list of Fiscal Year 2024 Healthy Start grant recipients, click here.