{"id":775977,"date":"2026-05-05T23:32:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T23:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/775977\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T23:32:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T23:32:36","slug":"the-dallas-foundation-to-invest-2m-to-advance-maternal-health-in-dallas-county-dallas-innovates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/775977\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dallas Foundation To\u00a0Invest $2M to\u00a0Advance Maternal Health in\u00a0Dallas County \u00bb Dallas Innovates"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Parkland Health Foundation and the Child Poverty Action Lab will each get a $1 million grant under the program. [Photo: Andrew Smith]<\/p>\n

Built on the belief that a child\u2019s first years are critical to life-long health and thriving, The Dallas Foundation has announced a strategic $2 million investment to address what it calls \u201ca maternal health crisis.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The investment is part of The Dallas Foundation\u2019s Bold Steps, Bright Futures strategic plan, which identifies pediatric and maternal health as one of three cornerstone pillars and a commitment to creating the conditions \u201cfamilies need to thrive from the very start.\u201d<\/p>\n

The funding consists of two $1 million grants to the Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) and to the Parkland Health Foundation. Each organization will receive $250,000 annually over the next four years to provide solutions and clinical care in underserved communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor nearly 100 years, we\u2019ve been dedicated to helping improve the Dallas community and ensuring that all children are set up to succeed from the start, \u201d Julie Diaz, president and CEO at The Dallas Foundation, said in a statement. \u201cAs we prepare for our Centennial in 2029, this $2 million investment represents a commitment to moving beyond short-term fixes toward long-term change. By partnering with CPAL and Parkland Health, we are uniting clinical excellence with data-driven support to meet mothers where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rising infant mortality rate<\/p>\n

The Dallas Foundation said that early childhood has been a critical part of its work for decades, founded in a strong belief that investing in children before kindergarten \u201cyields the greatest returns for individuals, families, and communities alike.\u201d In the last five years, the foundation has invested more than $3.5 million to advance early childhood initiatives in Dallas.<\/p>\n

The region faces a maternal health crisis despite the area\u2019s growth. Between 2013 and 2023, the infant mortality rate in Dallas County increased by more than 6%. Black and Hispanic women experience disproportionately higher rates of mortality and complications, with severe obstetric complications occurring in 4.42% of births across the county. These challenges come with significant economic costs, impacting workforce productivity and the development of the next generation of workers, the foundation said.<\/p>\n

Child Poverty Action Lab<\/p>\n

As the research and development partner, CPAL will use the $1 million grant to empower regional coordination and address drivers of maternal health disparities through core initiatives including:<\/p>\n