Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns is an initiative by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to reduce the risk of serious complications and long-term health problems for pregnant women and newborns covered by Medicaid/Medicare.  Cooperative agreement funding will be awarded to providers, states, managed care organizations and conveners that can improve outcomes for expectant mothers and babies by implementing enhanced prenatal care approaches to reduce pre-term births.  The opportunity was originally announced early this year with a June deadline.  However, due to overwhelming interest in the partnership and an onslaught of questions to CMMI regarding the opportunity, the original funding opportunity announcement (FOA) has been rescinded and the deadline extended.  Release of the updated FOA is expected by late June.  Click here for details and stay tuned to wordsforgood.com for important updates.