Clinton, MO. – (September 2, 2026) –Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare (GVMH) has secured a federal Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) grant to expand maternal health services and address critical healthcare gaps facing rural families throughout west-central Missouri.
The grant will launch the Connecting Rural Areas and Disadvantaged Locations to Exceptional (CRADLE) Maternal and Obstetrics Care Program, an initiative designed to expand access to maternity and obstetric care. Using a hub-and-spoke model, GVMH will serve as the regional hub for labor and delivery services, care coordination, and specialty support while partnering with hospitals, healthcare organizations, and community agencies.
The four-year award provides nearly $4 million in federal funding to strengthen maternal and infant health outcomes. The RMOMS program is funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and supports collaborative approaches to improving maternal and obstetric care in rural communities nationwide.
Over the next four years, the network will connect providers and community partners across a six-county service area to deliver coordinated care for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals. The initiative will establish a team to provide specialty training, telehealth services and evidence-based practices to staff and providers. GVMH will strengthen care coordination, outreach and referral services, especially for those facing barriers related to social determinants of health.
CRADLE is expected to expand maternal health services for more than 1,400 rural mothers and families, strengthen care coordination, support high-risk patients, and provide training opportunities for maternity care professionals throughout the region.
“This award represents a transformational investment in the health of mothers and babies throughout our region,” said Savanna Facklam, Executive Director of Growth and Development at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare. “Far too many rural families face barriers to accessing timely maternity care. Through CRADLE, we will work alongside our partners to ensure expectant mothers receive the support, specialty care, and resources they need, regardless of where they live.”
