African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative
Background
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) in collaboration with the Department of Health Services and First 5 LA launched the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative in 2018 to address persistent disparities in birth outcomes between Black and white babies, as outlined in the report: A Pathway to Equity, which showed that Black/African American babies are two to three times more likely to die before their first birthday than babies of other races, and Black/African American women are four times more likely to die as a result of pregnancy complications than women of other races in LA County. More recent studies have shown these disparities continue to exist (for more details, see AAIMM Vital Statistics Data Summary, California Department of Public Health Pregnancy-Related Mortality Data, and others). The AAIMM Prevention Initiative uses a racial justice framework to strengthen systems of support for Black moms and babies by centering Black/African American communities and leaders. The goal is to transform public health systems and build critical community infrastructure in places and spaces that Black families trust. Several interventions have been proven to support Black families during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, including pre-natal services, doula/midwifery support, lactation & breast/chestfeeding education and resources, mental and physical health services, and support for fathers and other caregivers. When supported by an ecosystem of service providers and community advocates, these interventions save lives and ensure Black/African American families thrive.
While the initiative is countywide, AAIMM prioritizes four communities where disparities are highest: South LA/South Bay, Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley/Santa Clarita, and the San Gabriel Valley. In addition to allocating its initial resources to launch a doula pilot for Black expecting mothers and expand access to home visitation, since 2019, DPH has also allocated a portion of its state Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) grant to implement locally-driven interventions, such as AAIMM’s Policy & Advocacy workgroup, MotherBoard, and The Village Fund.
A Public-Private-Community Collaboration
Grantmaking Strategies
The Village Fund supports efforts centered on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of Black women/birthing persons, fathers, partners, and families before, during, and after birth including:
- Providing respite care (short-term relief, support, services) before, during, or after birth. Respite care includes services that relieve and/or mitigate stress on mom, baby, and family.
- Foster a positive sense of self.
- Increase access to a healthy and joyous birth.
- Test new ideas and/or contribute new discoveries to the body of knowledge around Black infant and maternal health.
- Promote community education and/or engagement through program services.
Past funded projects include pre-natal yoga, lactation education and support, baby supply drives, support for parents with babies in the NICU, nutrition education, support for teen parents, wellness circles, special needs screening and education, parent support groups and resources, commissioned art, community education and outreach, hairstyling services for pregnant mothers, doula/midwifery support, pelvic physical therapy services, multi-media educational resource development, and more.
The Village Fund seeks to fund a wide range of projects that contribute to healthy and joyous births. It is an opportunity to identify leaders doing proven interventions and creative projects that think outside the box. It is a space where all ideas are welcome. If you are unsure if your work aligns with the Village Fund, you are strongly encouraged to attend the Informational Webinar on October 10th or contact us at VillageFundLA@investinkidsla.org, our team will be happy to speak with you.
