Grassroots MCH has four programs accepted for inclusion on the national MCH Innovation Hub

The Grassroots Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Initiative within the Department of Pediatrics is grounded in a human-rights based approach to MCH. Under the leadership of Jack E. Turman, Jr., PhD, the initiative works to build the capacity of individuals and organizations within traditionally marginalized communities to bring about systems change to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Recently, the national Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) officially recognized and accepted four of their programs for inclusion on the national MCH Innovation Hub! This hub serves our nation as “… an online platform that provides maternal and child health (MCH) professionals and advocates with resources and tools to explore, build, and share effective work grounded in evidence that contributes to improving the health and well-being of MCH populations and their communities.” (https://amchp.org/innovation-hub/).

When asked about his program’s recent recognition, Turman shared, “I am honored and thrilled to see these Grassroots MCH Initiative programs officially recognized by our national Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP). It is a great testament to the amazing, hard work of the project managers and the wonderful women, children and families we serve through these programs.” He hopes that this recognition will provide opportunities to partner with other maternal and child health scholars and practitioners across the nation so his team can collectively advance the promotion and protection of human rights for women, children and families in our country.

Healthy Beginnings at Home (HBAH), under the supervision of Paige Klemme, PhD, LSW, is a program that provides housing navigation, rental assistance and 24 months of case management for pregnant women in Marion County who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. In addition to being recipients of this service, participants are part of our research efforts to show the impact of stable housing and social support on maternal and infant health. This practice received a designation as a Promising Practice.

Mothers on the Rise (MOR), under the supervision of Ashley Mager, MPH, serves mother-baby pairs transitioning from the Indiana Women’s Prison Health Unit to their home community. The MOR team and partners help mothers navigate their home community and work to build a mother’s capacity to flourish. The program establishes an individualized, coordinated system of care for successful community reintegration for each mother/baby pair as they transition from the nursery unit to their home community. This practice received a designation as an emerging practice.

“I am so thankful to receive recognition, and hopefully mothers in the justice system across the county can receive the coordinated system of care they deserve” Mager shared. She hopes this recognition helps other states advance their programming to assist mother-baby pairs transitioning into community.

Faith Based MCH, under the supervision of Whitley Wynns, MA, JD candidate, is focused on building capacity of faith-based organizations to support positive maternal and child health outcomes. This initiative focuses on building capacity in the following areas: develop positive maternal and child health messaging, develop maternal and child health programming, strengthen and equip infrastructure of faith-based organizations to support maternal and child health work, utilize and honor data and stories from the community, and build local maternal and child health resources and networks. This practice received a designation as a Cutting Edge Practice

Promises of Parenting, under the supervision of Mackenzie Porter, MPH, works to ensure that all mothers within the Leath Nursery Unit of the Indiana Women’s Prison have access to learning opportunities to help them achieve their full potential as mothers. This program provides weekly education in the Unit using the Circle of Security Parenting curriculum, the CDC Milestone Moments guide, and facilitated play and learn sessions. This is all complimented by the creation of a maternal/infant learning zone within the Nursery Unit, as well as the provision of toys, books and parent guides for each participant to use in the Unit and to take home with them. This practice was designated as an Emerging Practice.

“I am honored our work has received this recognition from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Program. This work is very rewarding and to receive acceptance into the AMCHP MCH Innovations Database is confirmation our program is making a difference” Porter shared. She is looking forward to the collaboration and partnership with other agencies that this acknowledgement will bring in the future.

Congratulations and thank you to the Grassroots Maternal and Child Health Initiative team for all their hard work!