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More than $2 million awarded to 12 organizations

CHICAGO — More than 90% of pregnancy-related deaths in Illinois are preventable with reasonable intervention. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ Special Beginnings^® grants aim to lower maternal and infant death rates by contributing to organizations committed to improving health outcomes for mothers and babies statewide. Providing $2 million in grants, the program focuses on expanding access to quality care, reducing health disparities and addressing social factors that influence a mother and baby’s well-being.

“We look forward to supporting families at every stage of life and that starts with maternal care,” said Dr. Alvia Siddiqi, BCBSIL Chief Medical Officer. “BCBSIL is committed to driving positive change for maternal and infant health and championing its advancement every step of the way.”

The Special Beginnings program provides grants to organizations dedicated to:

• Implementing quality-based maternal health programs that reduce the number of preterm and low-birth-weight babies, as well as obstetric and postpartum emergencies.
• Expanding access to comprehensive health services, including behavioral health care during preconception, prenatal and postpartum periods.
• Increasing awareness and community engagement to reduce maternal deaths and health disparities.

These efforts include investment in maternal health workforce development such as doulas and midwives to reduce perinatal disparities. Since beginning a year ago, the program has trained more than 660 doulas and provided care to nearly 45,000 mothers and babies. 

The 2026-27 Special Beginnings grantees include:

BECOME works to reduce infant mortality on Chicago's South Side by offering social support, education and resource access. 

Community Health Care provides prenatal access to mothers who encounter health care barriers based on socio-economic factors. 

Delfina Care provides a platform to deliver doula support, telehealth services and at-home monitoring.

Edgar County Public Health Department offers prenatal education classes, risk screenings, new baby and lactation support groups and breastfeeding education classes. 

Endeavor Health provides a 24/7 hotline and comprehensive screening services for perinatal mental health across Illinois. The grant will help improve maternal mental health outcomes, reduce perinatal mental health concerns and support the well-being of families.

InovCares offers a mobile app providing access to providers, health assessments and tracking and prescription delivery.

Mother and Child Alliance provides a safety net during and after pregnancy for moms, babies and their providers to prevent HIV and other pediatric infections in newborns.

Share Our Spare provides postpartum women with items, including diapers, clothing, nursing supplies and safety gear.

Shawnee Health provides doula care, nutrition counseling and prenatal pediatric visits.

Sinai Health System intends to certify every nurse in fetal monitoring, expand lactation counselor training and implement standardized triage protocols, reducing adverse events and improving outcomes. 

The Little Resource Center supports increased visibility and expanded access to doula services, ensuring families receive support during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.

University of Illinois Chicago provides outpatient lactation support for postpartum Chicagoland women.

Visit BCBSIL's newsroom and 2024 Impact Report for information about its care access initiatives and support.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving nine million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at bcbsil.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Tricia Ament
media@bcbsil.com