Communities Transforming Maternal & Child Health
Join other Michigan birthing centers in redefining quality improvement work with the community as their compass, inspiration, and partner.
Apply to join QI-TRACS collaborativeSupported By:
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Implemented By:
Coffective
Partner:
Michigan Department of
Health & Human Services
In Michigan, while statewide breastfeeding trends are increasing, breastfeeding initiation and duration among Black and Indigenous birthing people remain unchanged for the last five years.1
Black and Indigenous infants in Michigan are 2-3x more likely to die before their first birthday compared to White infants. Birthing person morbidity and mortality rates also show a racial divide.2
The CDC has declared racism a public health threat. Black families have known for generations that implicit bias and structural racism are the root cause of high Black birthing person and infant mortality.
Black and Indigenous families in Michigan are 2x more likely to experience a preterm birth. They are also less likely to access breastfeeding supports like prenatal breastfeeding education or a breast pump after delivery.1
Less than 30% of Michigan birthing centers report having a comprehensive feeding policy in place that supports breastfeeding.3
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.
A Hospital-Community Task Force, supported by community organizers and technical assistance experts, will be formed in each participating community using a rotating leadership model.
Hospitals will implement Baby-Friendly evidence-based maternity care practices, informed by community voice, with the support of their peers and the assistance of the collaborative body.
Exchanging materials (i.e. brochures and handouts), is another easy way to learn more about what services are available in your community. Share your materials with local organizations, and ask for their materials too!
Each Hospital-Community Task Force will plan maternal and infant care that is responsive to the needs of all families, even during crises.
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.
Collaborative includes 10 hospitals and their surrounding communities, chosen by combination of competitive and needs-based application processes.
Hospitals are required to enter or continue the Baby-Friendly Pathway, and receive partial stipends for related fees or expenses.
Hospitals already designated Baby-Friendly are exempt from applying, but can participate as mentors.
Community leaders and families are compensated for their time and contributions.
Clinical and community experts provide technical assistance for effective implementation of activities.
Participating hospitals get financial and technical support for data collection, cohort participation, mentoring, and community benefit coordination.
Find Local Resources
