IMPLICIT: Innovations for Maternal and Perinatal Care and Improvement Grant

The Minnesota Department of Health's (MDH) Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) section funds the Innovations for Maternal and Perinatal Care and Improvement (IMPLICIT) grant. The goal of this grant is to improve birthing parent's health care in order to prevent birth defects during the interconception care period. Through demonstrated clinical systems changes, the IMPLICIT interconception care model addresses smoking, maternal depression, multivitamin/folic acid use, and family planning, all modifiable risk factors related to many common birth defects in Minnesota. 

Why the IMPLICIT interconception care model?

The IMPLICIT interconception care model (PDF) uses brief screening and intervention to assess birthing parents at their child's well-child visit for four key areas that are related to birth defects and other adverse birth outcomes. This model is evidence-based and relies on evidence which shows: well-child visits are a reliable touch point for birthing parents and birthing parents trust the advice of their child's physician. 

WellShare International

The current IMPLICIT grantee is WellShare International, a community-based organization with services in both Minnesota and across the world. WellShare specializes in utilizing the community health worker model to foster local and sustainable solutions for health inequities in Minnesota. 

As the grantee of the IMPLICIT grant program, WellShare International is tasked with recruiting, onboarding, and providing technical assistance for clinics interested in implementing the IMPLICIT interconception care model.
 

For interested clinics

WellShare International and MDH are currently recruiting clinics to implement the IMPLICIT interconception care model in their clinic. If you are an interested clinic and would like to get in touch with WellShare International to learn more, please email implicitprogram@wellshareinternational.org. 

For more information, review the following documents on the WellShare International Implicit Grant Program webpage:

• IMPLICIT overview
• IMPLICIT application

WellShare International will also be hosting a one-hour IMPLICIT informational webinar for interested clinics from 11am to 12pm on Tuesday, January 13.