“What Moms Want” Listening Sessions
Overview
The Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative* received the State Maternal Health Innovation and Data Capacity Program award (Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau) to establish the Alabama Maternal Health Task Force (AL-MHTF). The purpose of the AL-MHTF is to develop a collective vision for maternal health improvement across the state and drive sustainable change. The AL-MHTF is made up of a diverse group of partners including representatives from government agencies, private and non-profit sectors, insurance providers, civic organizations, healthcare systems, universities, faith-based and community groups, families, patient advocates, and many more. The AL-MHTF members began work in 2023 to create a strategic plan which addresses the following key priority areas:
- Grow and strengthen the maternal health workforce.
- Improve patient access to continuous, high-quality care.
- Improve data collection and sharing.
- Provide tools and a platform for community voice and patient advocacy.
- Identify and grow the programs and policies that work to improve the health of Alabama moms
*The Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative is administratively housed at the UAB School of Public Health
Virtual Information Sessions
| RFP Information Session 1 (virtual): Date: April 9, 2024 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM View Recording Here! |
RFP Information Session 2 (virtual): Date: April 22, 2024 Time: 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM View Recording Here! |
1. What is the purpose of this announcement?
The AL-MHTF invite proposals from community-focused organizations across the state to host listening sessions (a facilitated discussion with a group of people) capturing the experiences and needs of moms and their families in their service area. The AL-MHTF aims to fund eight proposals and each recipient will receive up to $10,000.
2. Who’s eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include any public or private entity located in Alabama. Community-based organizations are strongly encouraged to apply. Organizations are also encouraged to collaborate with each other and with those organizations and individuals who can implement a listening session that is focused on hearing from women, specifically those between 15-44 years of age. Those reviewing proposals will prioritize organizations by region with the aim of having state-wide reach. A map is available on page 6.
- Independent individuals may not apply.
- Applicants cannot use listening sessions for religious or political purposes.
3. What are the expectations for the listening sessions?
The selected organizations will be responsible for the recruitment of listening session participants, selecting a meeting space, and orchestrating all other elements necessary to create a warm and inviting environment for the listening session to take place.
Organizations are expected to conduct at least one in-person, and one virtual listening session. There is a minimum of 35 participants requirement between in-person and virtual events. If your organization cannot conduct a virtual event, your application should include how the minimum of 35 participants will be met. Organizations are required to provide incentives to all participants. AL-MHTF personnel will facilitate the conversation and presentation during the listening session. Listening sessions must occur between July-September 2024.
4. What if I have questions about the announcement and application?
ALMHTF personnel will host two virtual RFP Information Sessions for interested organizations to ask questions. Dates are listed below.
5. When can I (we) apply?
Organizations can apply any time during the announcement period, from April 1st to May 3rd, 2024.
6. What is the timeline?
| RFP Released: | April 1, 2024 |
| RFP Information Session (virtual): |
April 8, 2024 11:30 AM-1:00 PM |
| RFP Information Session (virtual): |
April 22, 2024 5:00-6:30 PM |
| Deadline for submission: | May 3, 2024 |
| Recipients announced: | June 3, 2024 |
| Listening Sessions | between July – September |
7. What is the range of awards?
There is no minimum amount; there is a maximum of $10,000 for proposals. Each proposal will be reviewed and awarded according to an organization’s capacity to host listening sessions, geographic location, and community involvement.
8. When will selected organizations receive funds?
The funds will be distributed in two (2) payments. The first payment of $5,000 will be distributed soon after the announcement of the selected organizations. Upon completion of their perspective listening session event, the organization will receive their remaining $5,000 payment.
9. Do I (we) need a federal tax ID number to apply?
For payment processing purposes, UAB requires selected organizations to have their own federal tax ID number or Employer Identification Number (EIN). You may submit a proposal if you do not yet have your number. We will ask for verification that you have applied for your number to be included in your proposal documentation. Here is a link to start the process of acquiring a federal ID number.
10. How do I (we) submit the proposal?
Submit your proposal by clicking the ‘Submit Your Proposal’ button at the bottom of the page.
OR
Print and mail a hardcopy proposal to:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Alabama Maternal Health Task Force
Attn: Health Policy and Organization, Kristy Plump
1720 2nd Avenue South, RPHB 330
Birmingham, Al 35294-0022
Proposals must be postmarked by May 3, 2024. If you are mailing in your proposal, please email Kristy Chiles Plump at kchiles@uab.edu to notify our team of your submission.
11. Contacts for application support or guidance
If you need assistance completing the proposal application, please feel free to contact Kristy Chiles Plump at kchiles@uab.edu or (205) 934-4402 or the ALMHTF main office (205) 934-3571.
12. When will we receive a notification of an award decision?
All applicants will receive notification or approval via email within 2-3 weeks of review.
Instructions for completion of the listening session proposals
Please use the following format to prepare a proposal for review. The proposal should be descriptive of what the applicant organization(s) intend to do with the resources requested. Proposals should NOT exceed more than 12 pages including attachments, font size 12-point, and one-inch margins.
The following are brief descriptions of what each section of the proposal needs to include:
-
Title page
-
- Organization’s name, physical address, phone number, and website address (if applicable)
- Contact person’s name, email address, and phone number
- Federal tax ID Number (EIN) – If you have applied but have not yet received your number, please submit your most recent correspondence to show your progress
Overview of the organization including:
- The organization’s mission and history
- Populations that your organization has served or engaged with through your work including but not limited to:
- Service location: City, County, Neighborhoods
- Service population demographics: Ages, gender, etc.
- Detailed descriptions of previous events or community work your organization has hosted or participated in
- Optional: please feel free to include any flyers, agendas, or reports from past events hosted by the organization, if applicable
Overview of the plan for hosting listening sessions including:
- Recruitment of listening session participants
- Describe how you plan to attract moms and their families to a listening session.
- Detail your plans for promoting the event by describing how this event will cater to the mothers in the communities you serve.
- Potential location for sessions
- Location Address
- Describe the amenities of the location: seating, audio-visual presentation options, warm and friendly environment, etc.
- Detail your ability to provide a virtual option or plan if virtual options are not possible.
- Explain if you have an ability to provide a link for Zoom or any other virtual meeting platform.
Optional Letter of Support: A letter of support from at least one partner outside applicant’s organization.
Budget and Justification:
- Completed budget and justification not to exceed $10,000 using the template below. Component to include in the Budget Template includes:
- Personnel (including indirect costs as necessary)
- Event Space: We estimate the listening session to last for 1-2 hours.
- Food: Please explore hot food options if possible
- Supplies and/or marketing materials: UAB will supply selected organizations with a personalized flyer.
- Incentives for participants (gift cards are preferred)
- Other
- Budget justification (provide an explanation of why each budgeted line item is needed)
The submission portal has now closed. For questions please email us at contactus@almhtf.org.
