Daviess Community Hospital has received a $29,740 matching grant from the United Way of Daviess County to support new initiatives aimed at reducing infant mortality. The funding, part of the UnitedIN24 Matching Grant from Indiana United Ways, will expand services under DCH’s Perinatal Pathways Program. The program provides critical support to expectant mothers, including care coordination, transportation, prenatal education, and referrals to social services. The grant will fund two key efforts:
$14,870 to improve prenatal care and education for families on Medicaid or classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
$14,870 to provide genetic counseling and education tailored to the Amish community.
Planned efforts include prenatal classes on nutrition and safe sleep, one-on-one support for at-risk mothers, and culturally sensitive genetic education. The hospital aims to increase early prenatal care by 15% and reduce preterm birth risk factors by 20% in the first six months.
DCH officials say the grant will help reach families who are uninsured, underinsured, or uncertain where to begin, ensuring healthier starts for babies in Daviess County.
From left: Daviess Community Hospital (DCH) Chief Nursing Officer Jenna Bedwell, BSN, RN; Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy and United Way of Daviess County (UWDC) board member Steve Sturgis; UWDC CEO and Executive Director Zella Taylor; DCH Human Resources Business Partner and UWDC board member Heather Stone; UWDC Executive Assistant Kori Johnson; DCH Director of Obstetrics and Nursery Shawna O’Kelley Brinson, BSN, RN; DCH Perinatal Pathways Perinatal Navigator Desireé Lewis, BSN, RN, CHC; DCH Perinatal Pathways Family Nurse Practitioner Allison Krieger, FNP-C; GPC Vice President of Human Resources and UWDC board member Holly Horrall; and DCH Chief Financial Officer April Settles, CPA.
