PEMBROKE — The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is among 17 organizations awarded in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina’s $4 million commitment to address and eliminate racial, health and geographical disparities in North Carolina.
Organizations across the state were awarded grants, totaling $3 million, for the company’s “Addressing Maternal and Infant Health Disparities” and “Strengthen NC” programs.
“We know the health of our state depends on the health of all our communities — and this statewide effort helps center the voices of those most directly impacted by systemic issues and inequities” said Cheryl Parquet, director of Community Engagement and Marketing Activation at Blue Cross NC. “We’re proud to support deserving organizations who are on the ground creating culturally-relevant solutions and supporting better and more equitable access to health care.”
UNC Pembroke has been awarded a three-year, $500,000 grant, and was selected as part of Blue Cross NC’s “Addressing Maternal and Infant Health Disparities” initiative.
“I am thankful for this grant opportunity to confront racial disparity outcomes experienced by expectant and parenting mothers in rural communities located in Southeastern NC by facilitating structural racism and implicit bias training for healthcare and education professionals,” said Veronica Hardy, a professor in the Department of Social Work and principal investigator for the grant. “Through an interdisciplinary approach across the Department of Social Work, Department of Kinesiology, and the School of Nursing, a wholistic approach toward trainings will be implemented in addition to delivering a train-the-trainer model for sustainability of these efforts beyond the grant-funded period.”
Organizations awarded will help improve the experiences for birthing people and babies from historically underserved communities and contribute to Blue Cross NC’s goal of reducing racial disparities in maternal and child health in North Carolina by 50% in five years.
The organization will use the Blue Cross NC investment to improve access to quality care for expecting and parenting mothers of diverse ethnic groups by targeting health care and education professionals as systems for change within the southeastern region of North Carolina.
In October, Blue Cross NC began inviting organizations to apply for awards when it announced its three-pronged statewide effort to improve the state’s maternal, infant and behavioral health outcomes and support organizations led by or serving historically underrepresented communities or people of color.
Blue Cross NC is now accepting applications for community-based initiatives that improve access to high-quality, evidence-based treatment for adults and children with behavioral health disorders in rural and underserved communities.
Proposals from organizations and public health entities are being accepted now through March 18, 2022 and must include a plan of sustainability beyond the funding period. This call for proposals stimulates collaboration to address the state’s behavioral health crisis and supports Blue Cross NC’s goal to improve access to behavioral health care in rural and underserved communities in North Carolina by 25% in five years.
More details on eligibility, the application process and informational sessions can be found at bluecrossnc.com.
These funding initiatives are part of Blue Cross NC’s efforts to advance health equity in North Carolina through strategic partnerships and investments.
