March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization with an 87-year history of fighting for the health of moms and babies across the United States. Originally founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat polio, the organization successfully helped develop the Salk vaccine and then shifted its focus to preventing birth defects, premature birth, and improving maternal health. Today, March of Dimes operates programs in all 50 states, including New York, with a focus on research funding, policy advocacy, prenatal education, and NICU family support.

While March of Dimes is not exclusively a birth injury organization, it directly serves families affected by conditions related to birth complications, including premature birth, birth defects, and cerebral palsy. The organization provides extensive free educational resources, supports families through difficult NICU stays, and advocates for policies that improve outcomes for mothers and babies. With 79+ hospital partnerships nationwide and programs delivered in both English and Spanish, March of Dimes reaches tens of thousands of families each year.

Best For: Pregnant women seeking prenatal education, families with babies in the NICU, parents of children born with birth defects or complications from premature birth, and families seeking information about cerebral palsy and birth-related conditions.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths	Limitations
Proven Track Record – 87 years of impact including funding the polio vaccine, pioneering newborn screening standards, and advocating for folic acid fortification that prevents 1,300+ neural tube defects annually	Not a Birth Injury Legal Resource – Does not provide legal guidance, attorney referrals, or support for families pursuing medical malpractice cases related to birth injuries
Extensive NICU Support – Present in 79+ hospitals nationwide serving 52,000+ families annually with bedside support, parent education, and transition resources	Research Focus Over Direct Services – Primary impact comes through research funding and policy advocacy rather than hands-on therapy, medical care, or individual case management
Free Resources for Everyone – All educational materials, prenatal classes, NICU support, and app resources are completely free with no income requirements	Limited Hospital Access – NICU Family Support program only available at 79 participating hospitals; families at other hospitals cannot access on-site services
Bilingual Programming – Full Spanish-language website (nacersano.org), bilingual prenatal classes, and Spanish health materials serve Hispanic/Latino families	Focus on Early Years – Programs emphasize pregnancy through early infancy with less robust support for families of older children living with birth injury-related disabilities
Strong Policy Advocacy – Advocated for 106 pieces of state legislation in the past year and instrumental in passing major maternal/child health laws nationwide

Services & Support

NICU Family Support

Bedside support from trained professionals at 79+ participating hospitals
Parent-to-parent mentoring connecting families going through similar experiences
Educational resources about NICU care and what to expect
Emotional support during difficult NICU stays
Transition-to-home planning and resources
Serves 52,000+ families annually

Prenatal Education

Becoming a Mom / Comenzando bien – Free 9-session prenatal education program in English and Spanish
Evidence-based curriculum shown to improve birth outcomes
Available both in-person and online in some regions
Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait preterm birth prevention program
Supportive Pregnancy Care enhanced prenatal care model

Educational Resources

Comprehensive website with information on pregnancy, birth, and infant health
Dedicated cerebral palsy resources including types, causes, diagnosis, and therapies
Guidance on therapy options (occupational, physical, speech)
Information on birth defects and complications from premature birth
Bilingual health action sheets and fact sheets
All materials available free online

Mobile Services

Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers providing prenatal care, postpartum support, and women’s health services
Currently operating in Brooklyn and Queens through NewYork-Presbyterian partnership
Brings clinical services to underserved communities

Technology & Apps

Compass by March of Dimes – Free app (iOS and Android) tracking pregnancy through postpartum
Facebook parent communities for peer support
Online education and resources accessible 24/7

Community Programs

March for Babies annual fundraising walks nationwide (including New York City)
Connections to local community resources and medical providers

Research & Advocacy

$6.5+ million invested annually in maternal and child health research
Policy advocacy at state and national levels
Report cards on maternal and infant health widely cited by policymakers

Locations & Contact

National Headquarters
1550 Crystal Drive, Suite 1300
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 1-888-663-4637 (888-MODIMES)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

New York Programs
March of Dimes operates programs throughout New York State including:

Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center serving Brooklyn and Queens (launched 2024)
NICU Family Support partnerships at multiple hospitals across New York
Annual March for Babies events in New York City and other locations

For specific New York program locations, contact the national helpline at 1-888-663-4637.

Contact Information
Website: www.marchofdimes.org
Spanish Website: www.nacersano.org
National Helpline: 1-888-663-4637
Direct Phone: 914-997-4488
Email: Use contact form at marchofdimes.org
Donor Services: donorservice@marchofdimes.org
Compass App Support: compass@marchofdimes.org

Social Media
Facebook: facebook.com/marchofdimes
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/march-of-dimes
Active on all major platforms

Who Can Access Services

Age Range: All ages, from preconception through parenthood. Educational resources and advocacy work benefit children of all ages with birth-related conditions.

Geographic Area: Programs available throughout the United States with no residency restrictions. New York families can access all online resources, apps, and educational materials. NICU Family Support available at participating New York hospitals.

Cost: Completely free. All educational resources, Becoming a Mom classes, NICU Family Support, Compass app, and community programs are provided at no cost to families.

Eligibility: No income requirements, insurance requirements, or special documentation needed. Educational resources are open to everyone. NICU Family Support is available through participating hospitals when your baby is admitted to a partner NICU.

Accessibility:

Wheelchair accessible facilities
Spanish language services including full Spanish website, bilingual prenatal classes, and translated materials
Accommodations available upon request including ASL interpretation
Virtual services including online classes, app-based support, and digital resources

How to Get Started

For General Information: Call the national helpline at 1-888-663-4637 (888-MODIMES) or visit marchofdimes.org to explore educational resources.
For NICU Support: If your baby is in the NICU, ask hospital staff if your facility has a March of Dimes NICU Family Support partnership. If not, access resources online at marchofdimes.org/nicu.
For Prenatal Classes: Find local Becoming a Mom classes in your area at marchofdimes.org/becomingamom or search for Spanish-language Comenzando bien sessions.
Download the App: Get Compass by March of Dimes free on iOS or Android for pregnancy tracking, health information, and postpartum support.
For Spanish Resources: Visit nacersano.org for comprehensive health information in Spanish.
For Specific Conditions: Search the website for information on cerebral palsy, birth defects, or your child’s specific condition to access educational materials and family support recommendations.

Most online resources are available immediately. Wait times for prenatal classes vary by location. NICU Family Support is provided immediately at participating hospitals.

Bottom Line

March of Dimes is best suited for pregnant women seeking quality prenatal education, families experiencing a NICU stay, and parents looking for reliable information about birth defects, premature birth complications, or cerebral palsy. The organization excels at providing free, evidence-based educational resources, supporting families during difficult NICU experiences, and advocating for policies that improve maternal and child health outcomes.

However, families seeking direct services like ongoing therapy, case management for older children, or legal guidance about birth injury cases will need to look to other specialized organizations. March of Dimes is an excellent starting point for education and NICU support, but should be viewed as one piece of a larger support network rather than a comprehensive service provider for families living with long-term birth injury disabilities.

March of Dimes