TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any subsequent amendments, with the March of Dimes California Chapter, to continue the Destined for Greatness Program and accept grant funding in an amount not to exceed $26,492, for the period of March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On January 6, 2015, the City Council authorized an agreement with the March of Dimes California Chapter (March of Dimes) to accept funding in the amount of $42,239 to implement the Destined for Greatness Program (Program), specifically developed for African-American women who are at high-risk of depression, chronic disease, and premature or low birth weight deliveries. On November 17, 2015, the March of Dimes provided an additional $41,699, to support year two of the Program.
Rates of premature deliveries in African-American women are nearly 30 percent higher than that of the general population. The statistics are similar for low birth weight babies. Both of these conditions greatly increase the risk of developmental disabilities, health problems, and premature death. Stress is thought to be a significant contributor to poor birth outcomes in this population. This Program offers a series of four, six-week stress reduction/relaxation classes designed for participants in the Black Infant Health (BIH) Program, as well as other African-American women who are not BIH-eligible but who are at risk of poor birth outcomes due to extreme stressors in their lives, such as homelessness, depression, domestic violence, and race-related stressors (stereotyping, discrimination, racism).
The March of Dimes has now awarded the City $26,492 for the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) to continue the Program for a third year. The Program is aimed at decreasing depression and increasing positive coping skills, such as physical activity, to positively impact mental health, chronic disease prevention, and healt...
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