The recipient entity's physical address:
           915 Olive Street
Shreveport, Louisiana 71104

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           915 Olive Street
Shreveport, Louisiana 71104

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Alicia Mingo

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  0098

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $65,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Alicia Mingo - 915 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA 71104
Hollie O'Neal
Jessica G. Smith
Lashonndia Boyd

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Birth Well Shreveport’s mission is to provide comprehensive, culturally competent support to mothers particularly underserved mothers in Shreveport with the goal of improving perinatal outcomes, reducing postpartum depression, decreasing infant mortality, and supporting mothers with substance-use histories.
With a request of $65,000, we will expand key services: perinatal support groups, home visits, transportation assistance, job-readiness and respite care for mothers, and referral processes for substance-use and other support.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $30,000
          Professional Services. . . $15,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $20,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Birth Well Shreveport exists to address significant maternal and infant health disparities in Shreveport, Louisiana especially among underserved birthing people by providing culturally responsive, community-based support. Through state-funded activities, we will:
Provide perinatal support groups, home visits, and wrap-around services that promote positive birth and postpartum outcomes.

Reduce the incidence of postpartum depression and support mothers with substance-use histories by offering timely referrals, peer support, and care coordination.

Improve infant health and reduce infant mortality by ensuring mothers have access to resources such as transportation, respite care, job readiness, and integrated referrals to health and social services.

Strengthen community and system-level capacity by collaborating with hospitals, health systems, and local service providers to integrate trained doulas into maternity care teams — thereby improving care equity, trust, and outcomes.

The sought-after state monies will directly further this public purpose by funding essential salaries, professional services, and operating services required to implement and sustain these supports, thereby improving maternal health, infant health, and family well-being in the region.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Goal 1: Improve maternal and infant health outcomes among underserved birthing people in Shreveport

Objective 1.1: By the end of Year 1, enroll 60 pregnant or early-postpartum participants in the program and provide at least 2 home visits per participant.
Objective 1.2 : Within 12 months, reduce the rate of preterm births among enrolled participants by 10% relative to the Louisiana state average (which is ~13.4% in 2023) ([marchofdimes.org][1]).
Objective 1.3: Within 12 months, improve infant outcomes so that no more than 10% of infants born to program participants are low birthweight (compared with the Louisiana average of ~11.3% in 2023) (march of dimes).
Objective 1.4: By month 12, reduce the prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms among participants to = 12%, compared to the Louisiana baseline of ~15.9% reported in 2018 by CDC.

Goal 2: Provide holistic wrap-around support addressing social determinants of health

Objective 2.1: Within the first 6 months, launch a transportation voucher initiative and ensure at least 75% of enrolled participants attend = 1 prenatal or postpartum support group session.Objective 2.2 : By the end of Year 1,deliver 4 job-readiness workshops (resume building, interview prep) and enroll at least 30 mothers in individualized coaching.
Objective 2.3: By month 9, offer respite care support for childcare to 20 mothers so they may participate in program activities (support groups, training).
Objective 2.4: Within 12 months, establish formal referral relationships with 5 local substance-use treatment or behavioral health providers and refer at least 15 participants with substance use history to appropriate services.

Goal 3: Strengthen integration of culturally responsive doula support into the local maternity care system

Objective 3.1: By the end of Year 1, train and deploy 4 prenatal community health workers/home-visitor team members skilled in trauma-informed, culturally responsive care and substance-use aware perinatal support.
Objective 3.2: Within 12 months, collaborate with at least 2 local hospitals/health systems (e.g., the partner health system) and a network of community partners to formalize referral pathways for high-risk mothers.
Objective 3.3 : By month 12, collect and monitor key program metrics (number of home visits, support group attendance, appointment adherence, participant satisfaction) and create a baseline outcomes dashboard.
Objective 3.4: By the end of Year 1, produce a sustainability plan that includes at least 2 additional funding sources or partner commitments to continue services beyond the initial grant period.

Goal 4: Build trust and engagement with historically marginalized communities

Objective 4.1: Within the first 6 months, host 3 community outreach sessions in neighborhoods with high infant-mortality or maternal-health disparity rates to raise awareness about the program and recruit participants.
Objective 4.2: By end of Year 1, ensure at least 80% of enrolled participants identify as Black, Indigenous, or other historically underserved groups, reflecting equity and inclusion.
Objective 4.3: By month 12, conduct 2 focus groups or qualitative interviews with participants to gather feedback on cultural relevance, trust, and satisfaction; use results to refine program protocols.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           1 year

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 Does not apply.
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 Does not apply.

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 Does not apply.

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  Does not apply.

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               Does not apply.

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               Does not apply.

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                Does not apply.

          What is the nature of the relationship?  Does not apply.

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 None

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               None


Contact Information
name:  Alicia Mingo 
                                       address:  915 Olive Street
Shreveport, Louisiana 71104
                                       phone:  3182196640
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  admin@birthwellshreveport.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Founder