Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder recently launched a new program that aims to improve the health and early childhood outcomes of high-risk mothers and their babies.
The program, Michigan Partners for Success, is predicated on a partnership between the state government, service providers, and investors from the philanthropic and private sectors who will fund new solutions to community health problems.
“Everyone benefits when mothers and families get the assistance they need to get children off to the best start possible,” Snyder said. “It’s important for parents to get support to keep mothers and their babies healthy. This new program will help find innovative approaches to provide this vital care.”
The program’s priorities are to improve health and early childhood development for high-risk mothers and babies through home visitations, community programs and more coordinated care from pregnancy to the child’s second birthday.
The program calls for private and philanthropic investors to provide upfront funding to expand or duplicate programs with a track record of success. The government will then recoup program costs if goals are successfully met.
A formal request for proposals is being issued by the state this month, and a public meeting and bidder’s conference will be held in September. Bids will be accepted through October with final interviews to be held in November.