View all text of Subparti [§ 254b - § 254c-22]
§ 254c–8. Healthy start for infants
(a) In general
(1) Continuation and expansion of program
(2) Definition
(b) Considerations in making grants
(1) Requirements
(2) Other considerationsIn making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration the following:
(A) Factors that contribute to infant mortality, including poor birth outcomes (such as low birthweight and preterm birth) and social determinants of health.
(B) Communities with—
(i) high rates of infant mortality or poor perinatal outcomes; or
(ii) high rates of infant mortality or poor perinatal outcomes in specific subpopulations within the community.
(C) The extent to which applicants for such grants facilitate—
(i) collaboration with the local community in the development of the project;
(ii) a community-based approach to the delivery of services;
(iii) a comprehensive approach to women’s health care to improve perinatal outcomes; and
(iv) the use and collection of data demonstrating the effectiveness of such program in decreasing infant mortality rates and improving perinatal outcomes, as applicable, or the process by which new applicants plan to collect this data.
(3) Special projects
(c) Coordination
(1) In general
(2) Other programs
(d) Rule of construction
(e) Funding
(1) Authorization of appropriations
(2) Allocation
(A) Program administration
(B) EvaluationOf the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve up to 1 percent for evaluations of projects carried out under subsection (a). Each such evaluation shall include a determination of whether such projects have been effective in reducing the disparity in health status between the general population and individuals who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups. Evaluations may also include, to the extent practicable, information related to—
(i) progress toward achieving any grant metrics or outcomes related to reducing infant mortality rates, improving perinatal outcomes, or reducing the disparity in health status;
(ii) recommendations on potential improvements that may assist with addressing gaps, as applicable and appropriate; and
(iii) the extent to which the grantee coordinated with the community in which the grantee is located in the development of the project and delivery of services, including with respect to technical assistance and mentorship programs.
(f) GAO report
(1) In general
(2) Evaluation
(3) ReportThe report described in paragraph (1) shall review, assess, and provide recommendations, as appropriate, on the following:
(A) The allocation of Healthy Start program grants by the Health Resources and Services Administration, including considerations made by such Administration regarding disparities in infant mortality or perinatal outcomes among urban and rural areas in making such awards.
(B) Trends in the progress made toward meeting the evaluation criteria pursuant to subsection (e)(2)(B), including programs which decrease infant mortality rates and improve perinatal outcomes, programs that have not decreased infant mortality rates or improved perinatal outcomes, and programs that have made an impact on disparities in infant mortality or perinatal outcomes.
(C) The ability of grantees to improve health outcomes for project participants, promote the awareness of the Healthy Start program services, incorporate and promote family participation, facilitate coordination with the community in which the grantee is located, and increase grantee accountability through quality improvement, performance monitoring, evaluation, and the effect such metrics may have toward decreasing the rate of infant mortality and improving perinatal outcomes.
(D) The extent to which such Federal programs are coordinated across agencies and the identification of opportunities for improved coordination in such Federal programs and activities.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 330H, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XV, § 1501, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1146; amended Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 110–339, § 2, Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3733; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3225, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 381.)