Nurture NC

08/27/2026

Don't delay — applications are due this coming Monday, August 31!

PATCH-NC, a Shared Maternity Care initiative funded by The Leon Levine Foundation, is now accepting applications for local health departments, community health centers and rural health centers that want to address rural healthcare access.

More than one-third of NC counties are classified as maternity care deserts or low-access areas, according to the March of Dimes. This lack of healthcare access forces expecting families to endure long travel times, miss work, or delay needed medical care.

The North Carolina Community Health Center Association is inviting eligible organizations in priority counties to apply for Round 1 implementation funding.

Check your eligibility and submit your application by Monday: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KDMCCTP

08/26/2026

Our partners at The Duke Endowment and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have launched a major $13 million multi-state expansion of the H.E.A.R. (Healing, Equity, Advocacy, and Respect) 4 Mamas and Babies (H4MAB) initiative.

This evidence-informed, text- and phone-based screening model identifies medical, behavioral health, and social needs early in pregnancy through the first postpartum year.

Learn more about H.E.A.R.:

The Duke Endowment and the Medical University of South Carolina launched an initiative to strengthen maternal and infant health outcomes across the…

08/25/2026

Listening to patient concerns and recognizing subtle warning signs during pregnancy can mean the difference between life and death.

In maternal care, addressing altered fetal movement with urgency is essential. PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy's short film, Stillness is an Illness, demonstrates the profound impact that clinical responsiveness and patient advocacy have on health outcomes.

We are committed to advancing high-quality care for every family. To continue building knowledge and fostering culturally aligned practices, we hope all birth professionals, clinicians, and community workers will attend Dando A Luz: A Bilingual Conference on Latine Maternal & Infant Health, Well-Being & Care, hosted by Wake AHEC.

Why Attend?
- Gain insights into equity-driven practices in Latine maternal and infant healthcare.
- Network with dedicated providers and advocates working toward better health outcomes.
- Strengthen your ability to deliver responsive, culturally grounded care.

Watch the short film Stillness is an Illness: https://www.pushpregnancy.org/stillness-is-an-illness

Register for Dando A Luz: https://www.wakeahec.org/courses-and-events/78535/dando-a-luz-a-bilingual-conference-on-latine-maternal--infant-health-well-being--care

 Copyright 2000- Wake Area Health Education Center and/or the artist, photographer or stock photo vendor. All rights reserved.

08/20/2026

Did you know that maternal mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting 1 in 5 birthing parents in the U.S.? Yet, nearly 75% of those impacted never receive the support they need.

Maternal health isn't just physical—caring for your mind is essential. Taking time to nurture your mental well-being isn't selfish; it’s one of the best ways you can support your child and family.

We’re proud to elevate the Ad Council’s Love, Your Mind campaign, offering practical tips, uplifting tools, and trusted resources to help parents prioritize their mental health.

📲 Explore maternal mental health resources:

Parenthood is a big shift—your mental well‑being counts.

08/19/2026

We at Nurture NC deeply appreciate the time and thoughtful consideration that potential respondents have already put into the NNC Strategic Communications RFP process. For responses to frequently asked questions, click here: https://www.nurturencnow.org/news/strategic-communications-RFP-FAQ

If you are interested in responding to the Nurture NC Strategic Communications RFP and do not see your questions addressed below, please reach out to [email protected].

For details on the RFP process itself, please refer to our website: https://www.nurturencnow.org/news/nurture-nc-releases-request-for-proposal-communications-strategist

Strategic Communications Request for Proposal: Frequently Asked Questions - An announcement from Nurture NC about advancing maternal and infant health in North Carolina.

08/19/2026

**Apply by August 31!**

More than one-third of NC counties are classified as maternity care deserts or low-access areas, according to the March of Dimes. This lack of healthcare access forces expecting families to endure long travel times, miss work, or delay needed medical care.

PATCH-NC, a Shared Maternity Care initiative funded by The Leon Levine Foundation, is now accepting applications for local health departments, community health centers and rural health centers that want to address these disparities.

The North Carolina Community Health Center Association is inviting eligible organizations in priority counties to apply for Round 1 implementation funding.

Check your eligibility and submit your application by August 31: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KDMCCTP

08/14/2026

Are you a community health center, rural health center, or local health department ready to increase access to perinatal services to your community?

More than one-third of NC counties are classified as maternity care deserts or low-access areas, according to the March of Dimes. This lack of healthcare access forces expecting families to endure long travel times, miss work, or delay needed medical care in pregnancy and after delivery.

To change this reality, the North Carolina Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA) is thrilled to launch the first round of shared care applications for PATCH-NC (Perinatal Access to Care and Health in North Carolina)!

Supported by a $2.8M investment from The Leon Levine Foundation and incubated with Nurture NC, PATCH-NC will help organizations implement a Shared Maternity Care Model across 10 targeted rural counties and bring maternity care closer to home.

Check the application requirements and apply today and get your application in by August 31st 2026: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KDMCCTP



Shannon Dowler

08/13/2026

We’re excited about the upcoming NC Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Association Annual Conference in October! We hope to see you there!

This conference brings together professionals, advocates, and caregivers across the state to connect, learn, and collaborate on strategies that support our youngest children and their families.

Whether you’re a provider, practitioner, or advocate for children and families, this is an incredible opportunity to deepen your knowledge, gain valuable insights, and connect with a passionate community.

👉 Learn more and register today:

Order your NCIMHA Conference T-shirt today!

08/11/2026

One in six counties across North Carolina are maternity care deserts, which means more than 61,000 women face unnecessary barriers to maternity care every year simply because of where they live.

North Carolina is not alone. March of Dimes today released the 2026 “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” report, revealing that:

➡️ 34.6% of U.S. counties are maternity care deserts.
➡️ More than half of U.S. counties lack a hospital with labor and delivery services.
➡️ At least 96 labor and delivery units closed across 35 states between January 2024 and May 2026, forcing families to travel farther for care when every minute matters.

Access to quality maternity care should never depend on a ZIP code.

That's why Nurture NC and our partners are prioritizing work to address maternal deserts, especially in rural areas, and identified innovative models that bring care close to home. A new $2.8 million investment from The Leon Levine Foundation supports the expansion of PATCH-NC, a shared maternity care model in 10 rural counties classified as maternity care deserts.

North Carolina Community Health Center Association is the implementation lead for PATCH-NC — Perinatal Access to Care and Health in North Carolina. PATCH-NC will help local family medicine physicians provide early and consistent prenatal and postpartum care while connecting patients to obstetric specialists in neighboring communities.

By reducing travel time, transportation costs, lost wages, and gaps in care, the model offers a practical approach to addressing health disparities and improving outcomes for mothers and babies.

Read the latest Maternity Care Deserts North Carolina Report from the March of Dimes here:https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/assets/s3/reports/mcd/Maternity-Care-Report-NorthCarolina.pdf

Learn more about how we used March of Dimes data to inform PATCH-NC here: https://www.nurturencnow.org/news/patch-nc-using-data-to-bring-maternal-care-closer-to-home-in-rural-north-carolina

Betsey Cuervo Tilson Shannon Dowler

08/06/2026

ICYMI...

☀️We are excited to share that Nurture NC is part of one of 10 state teams that selected by the Midwifery Policy Collective to champion access to midwifery care in our communities!

The selected teams represent:

*Alabama
*California
*Georgia
*Illinois
*Maryland
*Mississippi
*New Jersey
*North Carolina
*North Dakota
*Ohio

The NC leadership team brings together Nurture NC and representatives from community birth centers, health systems, and associations for Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Professional Midwives, and Birth Centers. The team is building a broader coalition to advance the work.

🤝The Midwifery Policy Collective is a partnership of the American Association of Birth Centers, Birth Center Equity, Birth Place Lab, Elephant Circle, Institute for Medicaid Innovation, National Association for the Advancement of Black Birth, and National Association of Certified Professional Midwives.