Community grant program; immunization rates new text begin , prenatal care access and utilization, new text end and infant mortality rates.

(a) The commissioner shall award grants to eligible applicants for local or regional projects and initiatives directed at reducing health disparities in one or deleted text begin both deleted text end new text begin more new text end of the following priority areas:

(1) decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates; deleted text begin or deleted text end

new text begin (2) decreasing racial and ethnic disparities in access to and utilization of high-quality prenatal care; or new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end increasing adult and child immunization rates in nonwhite racial and ethnic populations.

(c) Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to, faith-based organizations, social service organizations, community nonprofit organizations, community health boards, tribal governments, and community clinics. Applicants must submit proposals to the commissioner. A proposal must specify the strategies to be implemented to address one or deleted text begin both deleted text end new text begin more new text end of the priority areas listed in paragraph (a) and must be targeted to achieve the outcomes established according to subdivision 3.

(d) The commissioner shall give priority to applicants who demonstrate that their proposed project or initiative:

(1) is supported by the community the applicant will serve;

(2) is research-based or based on promising strategies;

(3) is designed to complement other related community activities;

(4) utilizes strategies that positively impact deleted text begin both deleted text end new text begin two or more new text end priority areas;

(5) reflects racially and ethnically appropriate approaches; and

(6) will be implemented through or with community-based organizations that reflect the race or ethnicity of the population to be reached.