Regional Perinatal Advisory Boards & Other Community Groups
Regional boards frequently involve multiple counties, and often mirror the State Perinatal Advisory Board, but meet at the local level. These boards, in turn, establish partnerships unique to their regions.
IPN partners with existing community groups on projects to meet mutual goals. These groups are located around the state and include both small and large entities.
IPN invites you to list your local maternal and child health group on our website or link to it. Please direct information and inquiries to IPN.
Southwestern Indiana Regional Perinatal Advisory Board
Aims to decrease infant mortality and improve the health of mothers and babies by implementing actions based on Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) findings
- Subcommittees include: consumer education, provider education, and substance abuse
- Supported by: Welborn Foundation, Toyota Motor Mfg. Indiana, Inc. and others
Delaware County Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
Chair: Judith Roepke, PhD, RD
Promotes and supports breastfeeding within the county, with an emphasis on the transition from hospital to home, and addresses other perinatal issues as they arise.
Delaware County Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition Members
- Lynnetta Abram, Delaware County Health Department
- Amy Banter, MD, Family Practice Residency Center
- Barbara Bechtel, CNM, MS, Expectations
- Donna Bookout, Adolescent Pregnancy Issue Committee
- Synda Burton, CNM, Expectations
- Jo Carol Chezem PhD, RD, Ball State University
- Joni Clark, Open Door Health Center
- Gail Clark BSN, RN, Birthing Center of Ball Memorial Hospital
- Leanna Cole, RD, MA, Treasurer
- Amanda Cummins, Purdue Extension
- Toni Estep, MA, RD, Open Door BMH Health Ctr.
- Kerri Hogue, FSW, Healthy Families
- Eleanor Johnson RN, IBCLC, WIC
- Judith Lowe, RD, Ball State University
- Fred Meyer, PhD, Vice-Chair
- Annette Parish, Purdue Extension Educator
- Mandy Puckett, MA, RD
- Michelle Przybylski, March of Dimes
- Margie Pyron, Ball Memorial Hospital
- Susan Rains PNP, RN, MSN, CHS Pediatrics
- Judith Roepke, PhD, RD
- Mary-Ann Schmutte, IBCLC, Secretary
- Deb Watkins, RN, LCCE, Ball Memorial Hospital
- Donna Wilcox, RN, Ball Memorial Hospital
Madison County Infant Mortality Collaborative
This group is engaging community partners in "Babies First," a multi-strategy approach to reduce the county's infant mortality, disparities in accessing prenatal care and rate of teen pregnancy; and to increase the use of existing prenatal care services, especially among blacks.
- The Madison County Infant Mortality Collaborative is launching a major multi-media campaign that utilizes IPN's materials to promote messages urging early, regular prenatal care and placing babies "back to sleep."
- The group is interviewing women who did not receive prenatal care in the first trimester to identify the reasons and barriers that contribute to the county's poor access rates. Aggregate results will be shared with prenatal care and other county health care providers to promote dialogue about ways to change policies and practices to improve access.
- Madison County also employs a post-neonatal support specialist who is meeting with new clients and communicating the availability of parenting support services through Parents as Teachers and Healthy Families.
Madison County Infant Mortality Collaborative Members
- Taylor Burton-Edwards, Convener, United Way of Madison County
- Beth Allen, Community Hospital of Anderson
- Heather Barrett, Madison County Health Department
- Janet Burrows, Anderson Community Schools
- Carol Clark, MD, Obstetrician/Gynecologist
- Jama Griner, Children's Bureau Exchange Club Family Resource Center
- Tammy Johnson, Children's Bureau Exchange Club Family Resource Center
- Marsha Harris, Healthy Families, St. John's Health System
- Brenda Jones, Madison County Minority Health Coalition
- Vesta Kelly, Babies First Research Project
- Andrea Koepke, DSN, Anderson University School of Nursing
- Joann Ray, MD, Pediatrician
- Starletta Schipp, St. John's Health System
- Ruthie Smith, Community Hospital of Anderson
- Marlita Williams, Madison County Community Health Center
Indianapolis Healthy Babies (IHB) Consortum
Consisting of about 90 members, the Indianapolis Healthy Babies (IHB) Consortium works to improve the health of Indianapolis mothers and babies and reduce infant mortality. The group's members represent hospitals, community-based organizations, concerned citizens and community leaders interested in infant mortality and maternal and child health issues. To join or find out more about the IHB Consortium, contact Lola King, ph: 317.221.2313 or e-mail: LKing@hhcorp.org.
Indianapolis Healthy Start (IHS)
This community-based program aims to improve the health of mothers and babies by preventing infant mortality, improving birth outcomes and eliminating health disparities in Marion County. Indianapolis Healthy Start [Link to www.mchd.com/ihb.htm] provides health care services for pregnant women who are at-risk for poor birth outcomes, and focuses on getting women into prenatal care as early in the pregnancy as possible.
- Case Management: Similar to care coordination, IHS case managers work one-on-one with pregnant women and provide services to the mother and the baby until the child is two years old. During this time, case managers help families access important medical and social resources. They also educate expectant mothers on the importance of a proper diet, prenatal care, smoking cessation and breastfeeding. Additional health topics are addressed based on individual client needs. Case managers also screen mothers for postpartum depression, provide health education on a variety of topics including family planning, and refer clients to any needed services. One case manager specializes in working with victims of domestic abuse.
- Health Education: IHS offers a variety of educational classes that address pregnancy and parenting topics at locations throughout Marion County. The classes are free and open to anyone interested in learning more, including moms, dads, aunts, grandmothers and caregivers. Health education classes are also provided to teens in conjunction with several schools in Marion County.
- Outreach: IHS outreach services raise community awareness about issues related to infant health. The outreach worker speaks to numerous groups on such topics as folic acid, family planning, breastfeeding, teen pregnancy and safe sleep. Outreach staff also speak to individuals in the community and encourage pregnant women to receive prenatal care or help them to access services.
- Father involvement is encouraged, and fathers are included in Healthy Start services whenever possible. Indianapolis Healthy Start also enjoys a close partnership with the Indianapolis Healthy Babies Consortium [Link within site to About Us: What We Do: Other Regional and County Groups: Healthy Babies Consortium]. This collaboration ensures the whole community is focused on improving birth outcomes. A special project derived from this collaboration is the "Consumer Connection" which brings together community members and IHS clients to learn best health practices while participating in fun activities.
- For more information about Indianapolis Healthy Start, call 317.221.2317 or visit www.mchd.com/ihb.htm
Maternal Child Health Network of Lake County
This coordinated effort, spearheaded by HealthVisions Midwest [Link to hvusa.org/projects.htm] strives to bring together all stakeholders who interact with pregnant clients. Five care coordination teams are in the forefront of the effort: Great Beginnings, NATALE, Gary HHS/MCH, Promotores de Salud Maternal e Infantil, and Healthy Start. Each team works within its target area to recruit clients and provide care coordination services. Network partners are working to ensure that services to clients are not duplicated and that partnerships with other area entities are continuously cultivated.
Partnership for a Healthier Johnson County: Maternal and Child Health Action Team
Partnership for a Healthier Johnson County [Link to: www.partnershipjc.org] is a collaboration of Johnson Memorial Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers, Community Health Network, the Johnson County Health Department and more than 800 individuals from agencies, schools, businesses, churches and neighborhoods. The Partnership identifies existing services and any gaps; then plans and implements collaborative, measurable strategies to improve local health.
- The mission of the Partnership's Maternal and Child Health Action Team is to facilitate healthier pregnancy outcomes.
- The Team meets monthly (excluding July and December) at 10:30 am at Johnson Memorial Hospital's Maternity Center Conference Room.
Maternal & Child Health Action Team Members
- Lori Adams, Turning Point
- Deb Baker, Purdue Extension Services
- Michelle Bisesi, Co-Chair, Johnson Memorial Hospital
- Tamara Busch, Johnson Memorial Hospital
- Teri Conard, MCHD Fetal Infant Mortality Review
- Sarah Hall, Co-Chair, ACT Services
- Angie Hensley, Johnson County Community Corrections
- Heather Hitchings, CareSource
- Chris Hoffman, River Valley Resources
- Judy Jacobs, Trafalgar Family Health Center
- Susie Klotzsche, Office of Family & Children
- Mike Kolenda, Edinburgh/Trafalgar Family Health Centers, Inc.
- Lori Lader, Edinburgh/Trafalgar Family Health Centers, Inc.
- Dana Matthews, Community Hospital South
- Angie Newkirk, Head Start
- Laura Pryor, Edinburgh/Trafalgar Family Health Centers, Inc.
- Darla Saladin, Planned Parenthood
- Barb Shaw, Child Care Answers
- Gloria Shepherd, Johnson County Health Department
- Kevin Short, United Way of Johnson County
- Tracy Smith, Johnson County WIC
- Joanne Spencer, Purdue Extension Services
- Sonya Ware-Meguiar, Gateway Services
- Sharon Wilson, Todd's Companion Plus
- Sherry Young, CareNet
St. Joseph County Healthy Babies Project
This group is organized around a multi-dimensional project that focuses on early and continuous prenatal care, public awareness and advocacy on maternal and child health issues. Led by a coordinating committee of more than 100 members that represent over 60 community organizations, these members work as "partners in prevention" of infant deaths.
Southeast Indiana Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition
The Coalition provides services to improve the health of mothers and babies in Ripley and Switzerland counties. "We're committed to the belief that any mother who wants to learn how to prepare for labor and delivery should be granted that opportunity," says Jascia Robinson, Coalition chairperson.
