IU Health Foundation secures $277,805 grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to expand Cradle Indy Community Doula Program

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana University Health Foundation has received a $277,805 grant from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to support the Cradle Indy: Community Doula Program, a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes across Marion County.

The one-year grant funds competitive wages and programmatic support for the community-based doulas who provide culturally responsive care to expectant mothers. The doulas will help soon-to-be moms address social barriers to health including economic stability, safe housing, access to healthy food, and more factors that support the whole heath moms and babies. The program’s primary goal is to lower the county’s pre-term birth rate from its current baseline of 12.1% to 9% or lower.

“This generous support from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation allows us to deepen our commitment to maternal health,” said Cassandra Tice, director of grants at IU Health Foundation. “By investing in community doulas, we’re empowering trusted birth workers to guide families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum care – ultimately improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.”

"The City of Indianapolis is thrilled about this new partnership with Cradle Indy. It is encouraging to see so many people and organizations coming together to share information and resources that will improve the lives of mothers and children in Indianapolis,” said Ben Tapper, Chief Diversity & Equity Officer at the City of Indianapolis. “The launch of the BIRTH Fund gives us the perfect opportunity to refine our efforts and find even more ways to collaborate for the betterment of our residents."

The Cradle Indy: Community Doula Program is designed to serve families in historically underserved neighborhoods, offering personalized support that addresses social determinants of health and connects participants to essential resources. In addition to reducing pre-term births, the program will track metrics such as birth weight, postpartum engagement and referrals to social services.

“This grant represents a broader commitment by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to reducing infant and maternal mortality,” said Lynn Scott, Medicaid president of Anthem Indiana. “This is part of more than $6 million we have committed to supporting healthier moms and babies.”

On November 19, Cradle Indy and a coalition of Indianapolis organizations will convene to advance maternal health through collective impact at its Bridging the Gap Summit at Biltwell Event Center.

“We know that trusted relationships and culturally aligned care can transform birth outcomes,” said Dr. Nicole Carey, executive director of Cradle Indy. “This grant enables us to expand our reach and ensure more families have access to the support they need during one of life’s most vulnerable moments. It’s not just about reducing statistics – it’s about restoring dignity and joy to the experience of bringing a child into this world.”

“True systems change happens when we move from isolated programs to learning networks that evolve together,” said Demetrius Geiger, program manager at Creating Healthier Communities – an organization leading the implementation phase of Cradle Indy. “By embedding services aimed at addressing the social determinants of health into maternal care and connecting community-based and clinical partners, we are building an ecosystem that grows with families’ needs and sustains healthier beginnings. We are grateful for the continued support and commitment from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation.”

For more about IU Health Foundation and its commitment to maternal health, visit iuhealthfoundation.org. To learn more about Cradle Indy, visit cradleindy.org.