Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families Planning Process Continues

As part of a Wisconsin Partnership Program special initiative, community collaboratives in Beloit, Kenosha, Milwaukee and Racine continued their work on improving birth outcomes among African-Americans in the state. Here are updates from each of the four sites that are the focus of the Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families (LIHF).

Beloit LIHF

The Pathways to Healthier African-American Families Collaborative marked its six-month mark with a powerful panel discussion entitled, "When a Baby Dies in Beloit" (pictured at left).

Representatives from the Rock County Coroner's Office, the Rock County Health Department, Beloit Police and Fire Departments, and a local funeral home reported on procedures and policies followed the death of an infant. The panel drew media attention and helped raise awareness for the collaborative's work in the city.

Kenosha LIHF

The collaborative hosted its Infant Mortality Summit, which attracted 60 people, most of whom stayed to participate with the Lifecourse Work Teams. Dr. Murray Katcher's keynote message challenged the audience to look beyond medical factors to social determinants of health to improve birth outcomes for African American women and families.

In addition, the event included an exhibit area (pictured at right), which explained the Lifecourse 12-point plan and other key aspects of the project.

Milwaukee LIHF

In October, the Milwaukee LIHF collaborative held its kickoff event, which drew more than 130 participants.  More than 100 people have joined the steering committee or one of four taskforces, including about 40 who are unaffiliated with any agencies.

The group has presented at the Aurora Family Service's Annual Summit, the Women's Fund Social Change Exchange and the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative's Annual Summit, bringing new allies into the process. It has also conducted focus groups throughout the city to gain multigenerational input from African-Americans to share their experiences about infant mortality.

Racine LIHF

To help further engage the community, the Racine LIHF collaborative has conducted five discussion groups throughout the city. These efforts have included participation from the Racine/Kenosha Birthing Project-Sister Friends, YMCA Fatherhood Program and Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter.

Racine LIHF also has unveiled GIS maps of Racine, overlaying social determinates of health such as income, education and access to care. The release of these maps attracted interest throughout the city, including the mayor of Racine, who attended the release.