Perinatal Health Equity Champions Program

… empowering perinatal health workers to advocate for more equitable and respectful care for the birthing people they serve.

The Perinatal Health Equity Champions Program is a year-long engagement model designed to build capacity in the birthing workforce to help address racial disparities and improve maternal health care in the Pittsburgh region. The Champions Program will build trusted working relationships among community and hospital birth workers in which common goals drive solutions to holistic care, strengthen continuity of care, and bridge resources across the maternal care continuum. The Perinatal Health Equity Champions program is facilitated by Pittsburgh: A Safer Childbirth City, WHAMglobal and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

The Champions program will support birth worker-led projects and provide content in:

• Addressing racial disparities
• Incorporating the birthing person’s voice
• Building sustainable community and healthcare system relationships
• Systematic problem solving and quality improvement

Guidelines

WHAMglobal, an operating arm of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, and Pittsburgh: A Safer Childbirth City seeks applications for the Perinatal Health Equity Champions Program. Working with area birthing hospitals, this program provides the opportunity to bring together community and hospital-based birth workers for maternal care quality improvement initiatives to address racial disparities and improve maternal care outcomes. Community Birthing Workers throughout the Pittsburgh region are encouraged to apply.

Champion participants will present their outcomes to a consortium of regional and state healthcare team members at the conclusion of the program.

Champions Program Terms and Expectations

• Champions will participate in up to 7 virtual content sessions (1.5 hours each) over 6 months followed by a 6 month pilot of aligned quality improvement initiatives with program staff support.
• Community birth worker Champions will partner with hospital team partners to address racial disparities and improve maternal health care in the Pittsburgh region.
• Champions will complete and present their work to regional and state healthcare teams.
• Champions will complete training in Perfecting Patient Care℠ and work redesign principles, including problem solving, designing for safety, and leading lived experience/patient-focused care teams.
• Champions will have the ability to employ lessons learned in their current work environment.

Duration

One year (May 2022 – May 2023)

Award

Champions will receive a stipend at program completion to support their participation

For More Information

Contact Jennifer Condel, Manager Lean Healthcare Strategy and Implementation at jcondel@jhf.org.