Community Partners: Connecting moms, families, and researchers in the Mississippi Delta
Official title: Community Partners
Funded at Jackson State University · NIH-11408715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A center-led effort partners with communities to improve postpartum care and maternal outcomes through trusted, multi-sector communication and a home visiting program.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jackson State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $44,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HD113238-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408715 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are mothers and families with young children in the Mississippi Delta interested in participating in community-based home visiting and postpartum health initiatives.
✕Less likely to help
Families outside the target Mississippi Delta region or those not engaged with community partners may receive fewer direct benefits.
What this research studies
This grant supports a center at Jackson State University that brings together community organizations, healthcare, social services, and researchers to co-create and implement a home visiting program for families with young children. The plan emphasizes clear communication with mothers and community partners at every stage—from planning to dissemination—so that programs reflect real needs. It includes training early-career investigators to work with communities and leverage partnerships to improve maternal health in the Mississippi Delta. A second project tests a multisector strategy to boost trust and participation in postpartum healthcare through improved health literacy. Overall, the center aims to build sustainable, community-driven approaches that improve child and maternal outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, mothers and children in the community could experience better access to supportive services and higher quality postpartum care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous community-partnered health initiatives have shown improved engagement and health literacy when locally trusted liaisons lead the effort.
Where this research is happening
-
Jackson State University
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Mary D — Jackson State University
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Mary D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.