Southern Illinois Grassroots ​Maternal and Child Health Initative

Strategies

As TLRC has become a trusted and respected resource for the ​community, we have identified many more service needs that we ​currently do not have the capacity to meet.


With the changing tides of the economy and the unique ​challenges present in rural community living, service demands ​have continued to grow despite very few marketing and outreach ​efforts.


For reference, in the year 2023, TLRC was able to meet 25% of the ​demand for services by providing support to 600 families with ​over 2,400 individual requests for services.


To date, in the first quarter of 2024, TLRC has provided direct ​support services to 181 families, which demonstrates the current ​capacity of TLRC to meet a meager 16% of the needs presented ​by individuals and families seeking support.


To address this challenge, TLRC proposes the Southern Illinois ​Grassroots Maternal and Child Health Initiative (SIG-MCH) ​which will consist of three core service expansion lines:


  1. Transportation equity for maternal and child health
  2. The Parenting Partners Outreach and Engagement Program
  3. An interdisciplinary learning network


SIG-MCH has received ​endorsement from the ​following agencies:

  • Birth to Five Illinois - Council #21


  • Birth to Five Illinois - Council #30


  • CASA of Southeastern Illinois


  • CASA of Southern Illinois


  • CHOICES Center for Reproductive ​Health


  • Drug Endangered Children Alliance ​of Southerneastern Illinois


  • Illinois Public Health Association


  • Illinois Rural Health Association


  • Partnership for Resilience – ​Resilient Southern Illinois


  • Lutheran Social Services of Illinois


  • Rainbow Cafe LGBT+ Center


  • SIU School of Medicine Children’s ​Medical and Mental Health ​Resource Network


  • Southern IL Coalition for Children & ​Families


  • Southeastern (IL) Positive Youth ​Development Coalition


  • The Guardian Center, Inc.


  • Union Co. Child Abuse Prevention ​Coalition


#1 Transportation Equity for Maternal ​and Child Health

By addressing transportation barriers through equitable ​practices and programs offering coordinated or ​subsidized transport services, the SIG-MCH Initiative can ​promote equal access to essential healthcare services for ​parents, caregivers and children.


To fulfill this task, the SIG-MCH proposes the following ​activities:


  • Utilize community health workers for coordinated ​transportation to key and emergent health and social ​service appointments in public transportation deserts;


  • Collaborate with existing public transportation ​providers to obtain vouchers or subsidies for program ​participants;


  • Implement mobile and virtual resource response ​services to address key issues in maternal and child ​health, including perinatal harm reduction services and ​perinatal mental health education and advocacy for the ​most remote counties in the service area.


#2 Parenting Partners Outreach & ​Engagement Program

By expanding and enhancing direct service options ​that take into consideration the cultural background ​and diverse needs of the client, SIG-MCH takes an ​additional step in recognizing and responding to the ​disparities and challenges faced by Black, ​Hispanic/Latino, and rural parents, caregivers, and ​families.


To ensure these target populations gain improved ​access to equitable and inclusive healthcare services, ​SIG-MCH proposes the following activities:


  • Project SPRING (Supporting Parent Recovery ​and Inspiring Natural Growth) will address a host ​of perinatal challenges through the creation of ​mobile and virtual perinatal support service ​pathways including:


    • perinatal mental health advocacy resources


    • Culturally-aware childbirth and breastfeeding ​support and education


    • perinatal harm reduction services


  • Launch an evidence-based safe sleep intervention ​program designed to both provide education and ​meet the basic needs of postpartum parents for a ​safe sleep space for their new infant


  • Create opportunities for culturally-competent, ​trauma-informed father and partner support ​programming to engage caregivers in prenatal ​care, childbirth, and early child-rearing, thereby ​strengthening family bonds and shared ​responsibility of parenting;


  • Create ACE-informed workshop opportunities for ​parents and caregivers on topics related to peak ​moments of parenthood stress including feeding ​and nutrition, sleep challenges, potty training, and ​emotional regulation.


#3 Interdisciplinary Learning Network ​for Family Professionals

We believe that interdisciplinary collaboration is ​crucial to the early success of new parents and ​caregivers who are at-risk of experiencing negative ​health outcomes and adversities.


By fostering collaboration between professionals such ​as doulas, community health workers, social workers, ​healthcare providers, teachers, early childhood ​professionals and other relevant fields, the SIG-MCH ​initiative promotes a holistic approach to assessment ​and intervention.


This initiative provide high-quality workforce ​development opportunities, and create cross-sector ​learning and networking for professionals who engage ​with families



  • ACE-Informed Training for Cross-Sector ​Representatives that engage with parents, ​caregivers and families at increased risk of ​experiencing ACEs or negative health outcomes


  • Professional development training presented to ​healthcare and public health agencies to improve ​ACE awareness and cultural competency skills ​surrounding issues related to pregnancy, childbirth ​and child rearing


  • Professional development training presented to ​cross sector representatives on the impact of ​social determinants of health on positive maternal ​and child health outcomes