Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation granted Indiana University Health Foundation $277,805 to support the Cradle Indy: Community Doula Program, a collaborative effort aimed at reducing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes across Marion County.
The one-year grant will fund competitive wages and program support for community-based doulas who provide culturally responsive care to expectant mothers. According to the foundation, doulas will help participants address social barriers to health such as economic stability, safe housing and access to healthy food. The program’s primary goal is to reduce the county’s pre-term birth rate from 12.1 percent to 9 percent or lower.
“This generous support from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation allows us to deepen our commitment to maternal health,” said Cassandra Tice, director of grants at IU Health Foundation. “By investing in community doulas, we’re empowering trusted birth workers to guide families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum care – ultimately improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.”
City of Indianapolis Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Ben Tapper said the partnership will strengthen local collaboration.
“The City of Indianapolis is thrilled about this new partnership with Cradle Indy. It is encouraging to see so many people and organizations coming together to share information and resources that will improve the lives of mothers and children in Indianapolis,” he said. “The launch of the BIRTH Fund gives us the perfect opportunity to refine our efforts and find even more ways to collaborate for the betterment of our residents.”
The Cradle Indy: Community Doula Program is designed to support families in historically underserved neighborhoods by offering personalized care and connecting participants to essential social services. In addition to tracking pre-term birth reductions, the program will monitor outcomes including birth weight, postpartum engagement and referrals.
“This grant represents a broader commitment by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to reducing infant and maternal mortality,” said Lynn Scott, Medicaid president of Anthem Indiana. “This is part of more than $6 million we have committed to supporting healthier moms and babies.”
“We know that trusted relationships and culturally aligned care can transform birth outcomes,” said Nicole Carey, executive director of Cradle Indy. “This grant enables us to expand our reach and ensure more families have access to the support they need during one of life’s most vulnerable moments. It’s not just about reducing statistics – it’s about restoring dignity and joy to the experience of bringing a child into this world.”
“True systems change happens when we move from isolated programs to learning networks that evolve together,” said Demetrius Geiger, program manager at Creating Healthier Communities. “By embedding services aimed at addressing the social determinants of health into maternal care and connecting community-based and clinical partners, we are building an ecosystem that grows with families’ needs and sustains healthier beginnings. We are grateful for the continued support and commitment from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation.”
For more information about IU Health Foundation, visit iuhealthfoundation.org. Information about Cradle Indy is available at cradleindy.org.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
