Good Samaritan Receives Performance Award to Continue Safety PIN Project

Good Samaritan is honored to receive the 40% performance award to continue to work on reducing infant mortality through the Safety PIN project. The Central Southwestern/Southwestern regional infant mortality rate decreased from 7.1 in the five-year aggregate date for 2020 to 6.7 for the five-year aggregate date for 2021. This award adds $400,000 for use between 4/1/2023 to 3/31/2025.

“Our Safety PIN team at Good Samaritan is grateful to our partners at the State Department of Health for the continuation of funding to focus on reducing infant mortality in our region,” said Casandra DeBord, Good Samaritan Project Director, Safety PIN Program. “Thanks to the support of our Good Samaritan providers and community, we’ve received 200 referrals over the past two years allowing us to learn from our local pregnant and postpartum women. We’re looking forward to the next two years to tailor our support to their needs better.”

“Our region’s highest cause of infant mortality is perinatal risks, so we continue to prioritize helping expectant and postpartum mothers get to their medical appointments,” stated DeBord. “Additionally, we’ll connect mothers with substance use to a Perinatal Peer Recovery Specialist and other community-based recovery supports. The Safety PIN funding has allowed us to provide program participants with safe sleep education and safe sleep space for their infants, which some families cannot afford.”

Currently, partnerships with VanGo and the BABE Store allow the program to support families faced with transportation challenges and financial strain, and the Indiana University Psychiatry Residency Program through Good Samaritan is increasing access to maternal mental health care. “Our goal is to continue to employ strategic community partnerships to help our families overcome barriers to wellness,” stated DeBord.