EverThrive IL is pleased to announce the publication of our newest report, Care Coordination of Services for Pregnant and Postpartum People. Dedicated advocates and elected officials have solidified Illinois’ position as a leader in advancing birth equity through policy and program changes.
Earlier this year, the Governor and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released the Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint, which highlighted that persistent gaps in care coordination and systemic fragmentation contribute to preventable deaths and maternal morbidity. In this report, they recommended investing in a coordination system to enable early, seamless connection to the full continuum of care and support needed during pregnancy and beyond.
EverThrive IL’s report builds on this recommendation to provide a roadmap for the creation of this system, including:
- A landscape assessment of the existing evidence base for risk assessment and care coordination
- Extensive interviews with leaders in maternal and child health in our state
- A review of models from other states and cities, including the history of how these programs developed and expanded, lessons learned, and challenges Illinois should anticipate
- Actionable recommendations for advancing an effective, accessible care coordination program for pregnant and birthing people
There is a clear benefit to making the system of maternal and child health programs easier for families to connect with and navigate. Investing in universal risk assessment and care coordination can improve health outcomes for birthing people and infants. Building this system also requires considerable investments of money, time, and experience from a wide variety of partners. EverThrive IL is thrilled to present our findings and recommendations at the upcoming IDPH Women’s Health Summit in Normal, IL, so that we may all advance this important work together.