North Carolina

Updated: June 2026

Name of MHI Grantee Site: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services / The Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section + The Perinatal Health Equity Collective + Perinatal Nurse Champions
State: North Carolina
Organization Type: Title V
HRSA Grant Service Areas/Priorities: Urban, Rural
MHI Key Contact: Tara Owens Shuler
MHI Key Contact Email: tara.shuler@dhhs.nc.gov
MHI Grantee/Taskforce Website: https://wicws.dph.ncdhhs.gov/indfam/innovation.htm

Innovation Description	Category Topic(s)
MHI Community Champions (baby showers, resource fairs).	Community Engagement – Community Led & Culturally Rooted Approaches
Postpartum Care Community of Practice (focus on increasing the completion of postpartum visits and quality of postpartum visits).	Workforce Training – Learning Collaboratives Workforce Training – QI & Safety Trainings
Postpartum Care Data QI Initiative: collect and analyze data from local health department to collect service level data.	Maternal Health Data Enhancements – QI Data Processes
MHI Perinatal Nurse Champion Program.	Workforce Training – Learning Collaboratives Direct Clinical Care – AIM Patient Safety Bundles & QI Initiatives
“I Gave Birth Initiative” (bracelet indicating postpartum patient).	Community Engagement – Patient Education & Engagement Workforce Training – Simulations & OB Emergency Preparedness
Perinatal Nurse Leaders Collaborative (statewide initiative to build connection between the perinatal regions).	Workforce Training – Learning Collaboratives
Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) Initiative.	Direct Clinical Care – AIM Patient Safety Bundles & QI Initiatives