FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Best Place for Kids!® Receives $250k Grant to Further Work in Maternal Infant Health in Tarrant County

Local coalition will utilize grant to further work in maternal infant health, supporting health outcomes for families in the Tarrant County region

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, May 12, 2024 – The Best Place for Kids!®, leader of the Tarrant County Maternal & Infant Health Coalition and creator of the free Parent Pass™ app, has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the North Texas Community Foundation’s donors to fund a groundbreaking pilot program. This initiative aims to streamline access to resources for new and expectant mothers, improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Tarrant County, a region facing critical challenges in maternal health.

Through the Tarrant County Maternal & Infant Health Coalition’s pilot program, Best Place for Kids!® will leverage the Parent Pass™ app’s technology and community partnerships to address maternal health disparities. The program integrates the Parent Pass™ app as a central access point for mothers, providing a seamless way to connect to over 600 local resources. Additionally, the app incorporates the Help Me Grow navigator phone line, staffed by trained child specialists who guide mothers through referrals and ensure they receive the services they need. This closed-loop referral system eliminates the burden of navigating resources independently, offering comprehensive support during a crucial time.

The pilot will include local major health networks Baylor Scott & White, Cook Children’s, JPS Health Network, North Texas Area Community Health Centers, and Texas Health Resources. Each will serve as a pilot site, where staff will be trained to use the Parent Pass™ app and assist mothers in accessing the navigator phone line. Hospital partners will also embed Help Me Grow services into their internal protocols to provide on-site navigation support, and JPS will have a trained Help Me Grow perinatal nurse navigator on-site to work with mothers most at-risk for postpartum complications.

The initiative also includes a partnership with the TCU Burnett School of Medicine to deepen research and enhance maternal health interventions. Medical students, supported by TCU faculty, will work directly within hospital locations to provide additional hands-on support and conduct research on critical maternal health issues, such as early treatment of hypertension to reduce traumatic births.

This pilot is especially significant for Tarrant County, which is part of a Texas region with the second-highest maternal mortality rate among Black women. By aligning and connecting existing resources through Parent Pass™ and local navigators, the pilot seeks to put mothers at the center of the maternal and infant health experience, creating a comprehensive continuum of care.

“We are grateful to partner alongside North Texas Community Foundation to provide resources and support to improve outcomes in maternal health. We are committed to empowering families and ensuring healthier futures for mothers and babies in our community,” said Sadie Funk, Director of The Best Place for Kids! “This pilot program is a critical step toward ensuring every mother in Tarrant County has access to the care and support she needs.”

“We are proud to support the Best Place for Kids!® team and our Maternal & Infant Health Coalition partners in launching this transformative pilot program addressing critical maternal health challenges in Tarrant County,” said Rose Bradshaw, President and CEO of the North Texas Community Foundation. “By leveraging technology, community partnerships, and significant investments in our community, this initiative has the potential to save lives and create a lasting impact for mothers and families in our region.”

With the support of this grant, the Tarrant County Maternal & Infant Health Coalition is poised to launch this innovative pilot program that has the potential to significantly improve maternal health outcomes for families across the region.

For more information about Best Place for Kids!® and the Parent Pass™ app’s mission to connect families to the resources they need, visit: https://parentpass.app/.

About Parent Pass: The Parent Pass app is a free, first-of-its-kind app designed by parents, for parents, to provide them with all of the information and resources they need as a parent in Tarrant County in one location. It enables parents to connect with others in the area, access educational opportunities, and find key resources for families and children from birth through high school. Featuring a child care finder, a calendar of local events, mental health resources, child learning activities, and more, this app is a valuable tool. Founded by The Best Place for Kids!®, a public-private partnership that is rooted in the belief that education is about developing the whole child. Explore more at https://bestplace4kids.com and download the app for free at parentpass.app

About North Texas Community Foundation:

North Texas Community Foundation drives meaningful change through charitable investment. The Foundation helps donors meet the needs of our community by providing tax-efficient strategies to support the causes they care about most. At the core of everything we do is a network of generous individuals, families and corporations intent on shaping the future of North Texas for good, forever. Learn more at northtexascf.org.