Our Birth Equity team manages and convenes 3 Community Alignment Boards (CABs) for Family Connects Chicago (FCC), a universal postpartum nurse home visiting program. With these Community Alignment Boards, we aim to align resources for families enrolled in the program, improve our current maternal, infant, and child health systems in Chicago, strengthen collaboration amongst social service and medical providers, and advocate for effective policy changes.
“Each of our Community Alignment Boards is important to the communities they represent because they are the people living or working directly in these neighborhoods and can identify and speak on the challenges and needs, said Elizabeth Gonzalez, Associate Director of Birth Equity. “The collaboration between CDPH, delegate organizations, and CAB members allows us to systematically respond to these resource gaps.”
FCC CAB members for the year:
Region C
Lawrence Hall
People for Community Recovery
Talibah Moore, Community Member
Irene Smith Webb, Community Member
SIDS Illinois
Play Smart Literacy
Akua Mason, Community Member
Melanated Mommies
Karma Wilson, Community Member
Obsidian Institute of Integrative Medicine
Reigning Pearls
Trilogy, Inc
Chicago Grows Food
Dr. Letitia Hillsman, Community Member
Region D – South Side
Ada McKinley – Community Member
Educare Start Early
Centers for New Horizons
County Care
Orzella Denton, Community Member
Sista Afya
Monica McKelphin, Community Member
EveryMom Chicago
Our Mother’s Light
Charlene Campbell, Community Member
Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Network
Choose Joy Doula’s Service
Partum Health
Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club
Region E – North Side
Crystal Cooper, Lactation Consultant
Howard Brown Health Center
Nurtured Roots Chicago
Parent University
Chicago Women’s Health Center
Justin Fernandez – Community Member
Apna Ghar
M Street Pediatric Therapy Corp.
Sokana Collective
Last update: 7/22/25