The Infant Mortality Prevention Network (IMPN) is a funding opportunity offered by Public Health–Seattle & King County (PHSKC) for community-based organizations working to reduce infant mortality in high-risk communities. The program seeks to eliminate systemic racism’s effects on infant mortality, particularly among African American, Native American, and Pacific Islander populations in King County. The RFA aims to support organizations that provide direct services, community education, and other resources to these vulnerable groups. Applications must be submitted by November 8, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

The funding for this program totals at least $473,000, with contributions from the Best Starts for Kids Levy, Public Health Seattle & King County, and the City of Seattle. Selected organizations will receive grants to enhance their existing infant mortality prevention efforts from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, with options for annual renewals through 2027. Organizations that serve King County and Seattle residents will be eligible for different funding streams depending on their geographic focus.

The RFA emphasizes the importance of aligning with King County’s Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) initiative and the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI). Organizations must demonstrate their commitment to addressing racial disparities and promoting equitable health outcomes. Applicants should be deeply connected to their communities and have experience working with high-risk populations. Collaboration among awarded organizations will be encouraged, including participation in monthly network meetings and shared educational efforts.

Applicants are required to describe how their programs serve at-risk populations, including their strategies for improving birth outcomes and reducing infant mortality. They must also provide a clear plan for utilizing the funding to enhance services, increase community engagement, and support healthy pregnancies and infant health. Awardees will be expected to attend at least nine monthly meetings, track their services through a PHSKC database, and provide quarterly reports and surveys to monitor program effectiveness.

Eligible organizations must demonstrate a clear understanding of the target communities’ needs and present a compelling case for how they will address these needs with additional funding. The evaluation criteria focus on the alignment of services with community needs, organizational capacity, and the ability to effectively use the funding to achieve measurable outcomes.

The selection process includes a review by a panel of evaluators, and interviews may be conducted with top applicants. Awards will be based on both written application scores and deliberations by the review panel, with the goal of creating a diverse network of funded agencies to meet community needs.

Applicants must submit their applications via email, including all required documents, by the deadline. For additional information and support, a pre-application conference will be held on October 21, 2024.