Supported By:
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Implemented By:
Coffective

Coffective-QITRACS-Logo-NoTagline 1

Reducing Breastfeeding Disparities through Training, Accountability, and Community Supports

Michigan birthing centers are redefining quality improvement work with the community as their compass, inspiration, and partner.

Supported By:
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Implemented By:
Coffective

THE PROBLEM

Racial disparities in birth & breastfeeding outcomes persist

THE CAUSES

Why is this happening?

THE INITIATIVE

Get on track with quality improvement

Reducing Breastfeeding Disparities through Training, Accountability and Community Supports (QI-TRACS) is a ground-breaking birthing center collaborative designed to build trust between communities and hospitals and improve implementation of The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. The initiative targets breastfeeding racial disparities, and improves coordination of timely access to ongoing breastfeeding support and care through a four-part approach.

What is rotating leadership?

Rotating leadership is a collaborative leadership style where power is distributed among group members rather than being focused on a single leader.

It is a way for groups that have members from different backgrounds and levels of responsibilities to work together in a place of inclusion, not just representation. Members take turns running meetings, and all members own the agenda. Dual-capacity training prepares members for this unique experience of being both leaders and participants.

INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

A Different Type of Collaborative

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS

Meet the Community Organizers

Community Organizers (COs) develop meaningful relationships to gain understanding of local communities. They educate community members on important issues and mobilize community members to take action. QI-TRACS COs are doulas, lactation supporters, OB surgical technicians, immigration advocates and entrepreneurs. They are all firmly rooted in the communities they represent. Although all seven are Black women, there is a diversity in lived experience, educational attainment, parenthood status, and area of expertise that creates a well-rounded community of practice. The one thing the Community Organizers all have in common is their drive to address inequities in care and disparities in outcomes for birthing parents and infants in their communities. Click to learn more about a few of these change-makers.

RESOURCES

Access QI-TRACS Resources

TIMELINE

Initiative Timeline

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3

Year 1

Year 1

Seven hospitals recruited to join the 
QI-TRACS collaborative despite continued COVID challenges.

Seven Community Organizers recruited to co-lead each local effort.

Hospital leaders and COs worked to form Hospital-Community Task Forces (HCTFs) in each community.

Hospitals began data collection.

Hospital leaders and COs participated together in training on how to challenge and change institutional racial inequities facilitated by Race Forward.

Year 2

Year 2

HCTFs met regularly in each community and move through the QI-TRACS HCTF Benchmarks.

Hospitals collected qualitative data using the Coffective Birthing Person Survey. Data revealed narrowing of racial gaps in breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and discharge support.

Hospital leaders and COs continued their equity journey by participating in affinity groups and caucusing with facilitation through Conjur Healing.

The QI-TRACS team visited each community in person to celebrate success.

Year 3

Year 3

HCTFs will continue to work to apply their shared understanding of community priorities to shared action using a social justice lens.

Data collection will focus on tracking and improving any persistent racial disparities in breastfeeding outcomes. 

Hospitals will continue to advance through the implementation of the WHO Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

Presenting at the 2023 Maternal Infant Health Summit.

Second round of site visits in June.

Learn more about QI-TRACS

Find out more about the QI-TRACS collaborative by talking to a project expert.