United Way of the Greater Capital Region Launches “Jubilant Birth Albany” Program to Support Maternal Health and Birth Equity in Albany County
Albany, NY — On Monday, November 18, 2024, United Way of the Greater Capital Region (UWGCR) unveiled Jubilant Birth Albany, a groundbreaking one-year pilot program aimed at improving maternal health and birth outcomes for underserved communities in Albany County. Through direct financial support and community-based health services, the program seeks to alleviate financial stress for expectant mothers, reduce maternal and infant health disparities, and promote birth equity.
Jubilant Birth Albany is a community-driven initiative that provides $1,000 per month for 12 months to 25 low-income, pregnant women in Albany County. This cash assistance is intended to ease the financial burdens associated with pregnancy and early parenting, with the goal of lowering stress and improving health outcomes for both mothers and their infants.
“United Way is committed to building healthy communities where all have access to the care and services needed to thrive,” UWGCR President & CEO Peter Gannon said. “Thanks to the support of our partners at Albany County, the Carl E. Touhey Foundation, Highmark, and the Hudson Valley Credit Union, Jubilant Birth will provide critical support to expectant mothers from low-income communities who have historically lacked access to the care they need. This program will not only improve outcomes for mothers but will also help their children get off to the healthiest possible start in life, creating a foundation for long-term well-being.”
Jubilant Birth is made possible by a diverse coalition of financial sponsors, whose generous investments were critical to launching this pilot program in the community. Key supporters include the Carl E. Touhey Foundation ($325,000), Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York ($175,000), Hudson Valley Credit Union ($5,000), and the office of Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, which provided a $200,000 grant through the Albany County American Rescue Plan (ARPA).
“Having a child is a moment of pure joy, but for too many families it is also a time of financial uncertainty and increased health risks. The Jubilant Birth Albany pilot program provides a comprehensive approach to support low-income families by providing financial support paired with access to prenatal and post-partum education and services. By helping families during these critical early months, we can break the cycles of poverty and improve health outcomes for both the mother and child. That is why I was proud to join several great partners and lend our support through the Albany County American Rescue Plan (ARPA) with a $200,000 grant for these efforts,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy.
The $325,000 grant from the Carl E. Touhey Foundation represents the single largest investment from a local foundation in the history of UWGCR. The $175,000 investment from Highmark Blue Shield is the largest corporate gift to UWGCR in at least a decade.
“Due to historic institutional Red Lining of certain Albany neighborhoods, these Moms need our support," said Charles Touhey, Director and President of the Carl E. Touhey Foundation.
“Highmark Blue Shield Blue Fund is proud to support the United Way of the Capital Region’s Jubilant Birth Albany program, building on our long-standing partnership," said Michael Ball, Vice President, Community Affairs, Highmark Blue Shield. "This program's simple yet innovative approach—combining direct income assistance with culturally appropriate support—is a powerful way to improve maternal and child health, reduce poverty, and build economic security for families in our community. At Highmark Blue Shield, we recognize that maternal health is the foundation for healthy and vibrant future generations.”
“We commend the United Way for launching this innovative Jubilant Birth program, which will reduce financial stress during pregnancy for those in need,” said Aida Ramic, Vice President and Region Manager at Hudson Valle Credit Union. “This type of help can have a lasting impact on families and Hudson Valley Credit Union is proud to help provide support for the program.”
Pregnancy is a critical period of development that has long-term implications for the health of mothers and children. Financial insecurity is often exacerbated during pregnancy and contributes to chronic stress, which can have adverse effects on maternal and infant health, including premature birth.
Comprehensive Support Beyond Cash
In addition to the unconditional cash supplement, each participant will be invited to access a range of prenatal, birthing, and postnatal support services provided by United Way’s community partners at BirthNet, CEK RN Consulting, and the March of Dimes. The program is built on the principle that cash, combined with support, connectivity, and health accompaniment (such as doulas of color and health coaches), can help pregnant people — particularly those who identify as Black or a Person of Color — navigate a healthcare system where differential treatment and disproportionately negative outcomes are well-documented.
“We are thrilled to partner with Birthnet, March of Dimes, and United Way on the Jubilant Birth Project,” said Coretta Killikelly, CEK RN Consulting’s Founder and CEO. “At CEK RN Consulting, Inc., we believe that every pregnant mother deserves the support and guidance needed for a healthy and joyful pregnancy. Through our maternal program, we are committed to providing personalized health coaching that empowers mothers and fosters a nurturing environment for their families. Together, we are taking significant steps towards healthier communities and brighter futures.”
“We're thrilled to partner with United Way of the Greater Capital Region, March of Dimes, and CEK RN to help families who live in those Albany communities most impacted by birth outcome disparities access vital prenatal, birth, and postpartum doula services,” said Tershia Ellis, Board Chair at BirthNet. “This collaboration is a step toward improving birth outcomes and creating more equitable care for marginalized communities. Together, we’re committed to supporting families with the care, advocacy, and resources they deserve.”
"March of Dimes is committed to supporting innovative solutions that address the social drivers of health impacting birthing individuals and babies,” said Kathryn Mitchell, March of Dimes, National Director of Maternal Health and Collective Impact. “We are thrilled to see the launch of Albany’s Guaranteed Basic Income project, Jubilant Birth, which aims to create stability for families, expand economic opportunities, and remove financial barriers to essential resources and services. By providing families with critical financial resources, this initiative enables parents to prioritize their health and well-being, fostering healthier pregnancies and offering children a stronger start in life. This is a powerful step toward ensuring that every birthing individual and baby has the foundation they need to thrive."
Addressing a Critical Need in Maternal Health
Pregnancy is a time of heightened financial stress for many low-income women, and research demonstrates that financial insecurity contributes to chronic stress, which can have long-term adverse effects on maternal and infant health. In Albany County, maternal health indicators reflect significant disparities in birth outcomes, with Black mothers experiencing disproportionately high rates of preterm births and infant mortality compared to their white counterparts.
The following statistics illustrate the critical need for intervention:
- The Infant mortality rate for Black babies (14.6 per 1,000 live births), is higher than the rates for white (4.0), Asian/Pacific Islander (2.1), and Hispanic (8.6) babies in Albany County
- 13 percent of Black babies in Albany County are born premature, higher than the overall rate of 10 percent
- At 12.2 percent, Black women are twice as likely as white women to have a baby with a low birth rate (below 5.5 lbs.).
Further Details
Participatory and culturally appropriate evaluation is key to the success of Jubilant Birth to further guide solutions that address health disparities using a racial and income equity framework. Evaluation will use a participatory approach, with an emphasis on qualitative data to amplify participants’ voices. The evaluation will be designed to center the voices and experiences of the program participants, not as objects of research, but rather as experts in their own lives.
For more information about Jubilant Birth Albany, please contact Matt Hunter, UWGCR Director of Communications, at matt@unitedwagcr.org.
More about United Way of the Greater Capital Region
United Way of the Greater Capital Region mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our communities, United Way is there. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. Our reach across tens of thousands of communities means we can share innovations and scale impact to improve lives around the world.
From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.
Serving Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Schoharie Counties.