“Mommy and Me” Pregnancy Education Classes

1. “Mommy and Me” Pregnancy Education Classes CityMatch Panel Discussion August 26, 2007 A pilot project for the March of Dimes- CDC cooperative agreement "Reducing Disparities in Premature Birth" Janine Lewis, MPH, PhD(c) Director Health Promotions Westside Health Authority Chicago, Illinois

2. Goal of Project • “Mommy and Me” classes are 1 component of a larger program, “Healthy Births for Healthy Communities” Goal: Improve birth outcomes of African American infants born in Austin with high infant mortality due to preterm birth and sudden infant death syndrome.

3. Westside Health Authority • Incorporated in 1990 under the leadership of Mrs. Jackie Reed, President/CEO • Mission: To use the capacity of local people to improve the health and well-being of Westside residents. • Conceptual framework: Every Block a Village www.healthauthority.org

4. Austin: A Chicago Community Austin: A Chicago Community • Austin: 1/77 community areas in Chicago • With nearly 118,000 residents, Austin is the most densely populated community in Chicago, Illinois. • If Austin were taken out of Chicago, it would be the fifth largest city in Illinois. • Austin demographic make up: • 54% Women • 90% African American • 47% living below twice the poverty level • MCH Indicators: • Approximate 2,000 live births annually; 21% to teen mothers • 14.5% LBW • IMR = 15.8/1000

5. Healthy Births for Healthy Communities • Three-year pilot project funded by Steans Foundation/IL DHS • Goal: To find high-risk pregnant women and guide them to prenatal care, WIC, case management services • WHA 1 of 2 outreach agencies • “Mommy and Me” pregnancy education groups

6. Healthy Births for Healthy Communities • Community Health Advocate Training • 12 session curriculum (3 hours/session) • Topics included: Communication, Health Disparities, Healthy Births, Prematurity (NICU tour), SIDS • Cross-training of HBHC/CTG staff (continuing ed) • Topics included: domestic violence, smoking cessation, housing, postpartum depression

7. Partners • Partners include: • Illinois Department of Human Services • March of Dimes Illinois Chapter • Steans Family Foundation • Austin Wellness Center of Cook County

8. “Mommy and Me” Classes • Six course session over four months (March-June 07) • Course development informed by 2 focus groups held in January • Facilitated by 2 peer advocates and a Coordinator • Topics covered: Prematurity/SIDS, HIV/AIDS, postpartum depression, nutrition, birth defects, stress management, case management/WIC, childbirth, breastfeeding • Referrals to prenatal care, case management, and WIC services provided

9. “Mommy and Me” Classes • Recruitment: HBHC program; clients at referral agencies/neighborhood clinics/word of mouth • Evaluation: Pre/post tests at each session; overall evaluation of program given at last educational session • Sustainability: Presently searching for additional funding to continue this program

10. Evaluation Results • 86% rated classes as “excellent” • 100% noted that information was “easy to understand” • 100% noted that training schedule was “just right” in terms of length • Favorite session: SIDS (new information, speaker energetic and helpful)

11. “Mommy and Me” Baby Shower – June 13, 2007

12. B’s Story • African-American woman; in early 30s • Pregnant with twins; has 3 children; married • Sometimes takes bus to travel to class • B was referred by class facilitators to high-risk targeted intensive case management services • Gave facilitators little presents at the end of class; said that they made the course fun • Delivered twins about 4 weeks after class ended; delivered at full-term and both at normal birthweight

13. Thanks for attending our panel! Any questions? Contact Info: Janine Lewis jlewis6@gmail.com 773-786-0249