Download a printer-friendly copy of this RFP here (PDF)
Improving birth outcomes for moms and babies—especially in rural areas and communities with limited access to care—requires more than traditional clinical services. Wraparound care models that integrate medical and community supports help close access gaps and improve outcomes. They connect families to services like doulas, home visiting, behavioral health, transportation, and nutrition, while leveraging community health workers and culturally responsive care. By expanding access through coordinated, locally grounded support systems, these models help ensure healthier pregnancies and stronger starts for mothers and infants.
Centering Pregnancy is an evidence-based model of group prenatal care that integrates clinical assessment, health education, and peer support that can utilize mid-level providers, such as Physicians Assistants, Certified Nurse Midwifes, or Nurse Practitioners along with Community Health Workers or Doulas (etc.) to provide peer health education.
By expanding the care in a group setting, Centering Pregnancy strengthens relationships, increases patient engagement, and allows providers to address both clinical needs and social drivers of health in a more comprehensive way.
Plan:
The Health Fund will support the implementation of Centering Pregnancy at three (3) sites – specifically, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and hospitals with affiliated RHCs.
Each selected site will receive:
- $10,000 in direct funding to support implementation costs, including materials, equipment, and staffing necessary to launch group prenatal care
In addition, the Health Fund will provide support equivalent to $30,000 per site, which will be funded directly to the Centering Healthcare Institute with the intention of supporting each selected site through:
- Required training and on-boarding to become an approved Centering Pregnancy site
- Technical assistance and coaching to ensure fidelity to the model
- Billing and reimbursement guidance to support long-term sustainability
- Access to curriculum, tools, and implementation resources
- Ongoing support and consultation throughout the implementation process
This investment is designed to build internal capacity while ensuring sites have the tools and expertise needed to successfully implement and sustain the model.
Goals and Outcomes:
The primary goal is to expand access to high-quality prenatal care through the adoption of the Centering Pregnancy model within local clinical settings.
Anticipated outcomes for health systems and providers include:
- Increased ability to provide prenatal services locally, reducing the need for patients to travel outside their communities
- More efficient use of provider time through group care models
- Strengthened care delivery through the use of expanded care teams
- Improved coordination and continuity of care between prenatal providers and delivering hospitals
Anticipated outcomes for participants include:
- Improved birth outcomes, including reductions in preterm birth and low birth weight
- Increased engagement in prenatal care
- Enhanced knowledge and confidence related to pregnancy and childbirth
- Strengthened social support networks
- Improved adherence to care plans
Requirements – eligible sites must:
- Be a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Rural Health Clinic (RHC) or a hospital applying on behalf of an affiliated RHC.
- Demonstrate readiness to implement Centering Pregnancy within their existing prenatal care services
- Commit to becoming an approved Centering Pregnancy site, including completion of required training and certification
- Have the ability to collect and report data on key performance and outcome measures
- Establish or maintain partnerships with hospitals and other providers to support continuity of care from prenatal services through delivery
Learning Community and Sustainability:
All participating sites are required to engage in a learning community, meeting at least quarterly (virtually or in person), to:
- Share implementation experiences, challenges, and best practices
- Review data and program outcomes
- Participate in professional development related to group prenatal care and maternal health
A strong emphasis will be placed on sustainability, including:
- Developing billing practices that support reimbursement for group prenatal care services
- Integrating Centering Pregnancy into routine clinical operations
- Strengthening coordination between prenatal providers and delivering hospitals to ensure continuity of care
- Documenting outcomes and patient experiences to demonstrate program value
Evaluation results and shared learning will help build the case for long-term adoption and expansion of Centering Pregnancy across additional sites.
Centering Healthcare Institute Information and Resources:
Testimonial Video: Centering Healthcare Institute
Brochure: Improving Health by Transforming Care in Centering Groups
Flyer: Centering Saves Lives & Money
One-Pager: Centering365 – A Centering Pathway Designed for You
Handout: Considerations for your prospective Centering space
Postcard: What is the Centering License?
Eligible Organizations
Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, or hospitals on behalf of an affiliated RHC are eligible to apply. Applicant organizations must hold tax exemption recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and qualifying as public charities under provisions of Section 509(a)(1) and (2), or be governmental entities of the State of Kansas or local units of government. Other organizations and individuals are not eligible.
Limitations on Funding Uses
- Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or political activity as defined in the Internal Revenue Code related to tax exempt organizations.
- Ongoing operating expenses may not be paid by grant funds.
- Alcoholic beverages may not be purchased with grant funds.
- Grants will not be awarded for contributions to capital campaigns.
Public funds supporting existing projects may not be replaced or supplanted with grant funds.
Application Process
Interested organizations are encouraged to complete an initial interest form. Our staff will follow up regarding next steps and provide assistance as needed with completion of the full application form.
Health Fund staff will review submissions and invite a limited number to complete the Centering Pregnancy Readiness Assessment and interview to determine site selection.
This is a competitive request for proposals. Interested organizations are encouraged to complete an online interest form. Health Fund staff will review submissions and invite a limited number to complete the Centering Pregnancy Readiness Assessment and schedule a call to discuss implementation. A sample of the application form is available here. If desired, the sample may be used to draft your responses for entry into the official online form. See below for the online form and instructions.
Online interest form instructions:
- Click here to fill out the initial interest form.
- When finished, please review for completeness then click the Submit button. You will receive a confirmation email shortly after submitting. If you don’t receive the email, please reach out to us to confirm receipt.
Timeline
Interest forms and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis while funding remains available. Following submission of the initial interest form, Health Fund staff will reach out to offer assistance in completing the full application, and as applicable will facilitate next steps including completion of the Centering Pregnancy Readiness Assessment and interview. Notice of awards will generally be completed within one month of the assessment and interview.
For additional information/RFP questions, please contact:
Katie Schoenhoff
Vice President of Programs
katie@healthfund.org
620.662.8586
For online form questions/help, please contact:
Jeff Gamber
Director of Operations
jeff@healthfund.org