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Dec
28

Infant Mortality Prevention Network

The Infant Mortality Prevention Network (IMPN) is a collection of independent service agencies, all working to eliminate the impact of racism on infant mortality and birth outcomes through community education and direct family services.

Racial disparities in infant mortality

In King County, babies born to Black African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander families are significantly more likely to die within their first 365 days than babies born to white families. The infant mortality rates in King County are:

  • 3.2 deaths per 1,000 births for babies born to White families
  • 6.1 deaths per 1,000 births for babies born to Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander families
  • 8.1 deaths per 1,000 births for babies born to Black African American families
  • 19.2 deaths per 1,000 births for babies born to American Indian/Alaska Native families.

More information on infant mortality rates in King County: communitiescount.org/infant-mortality

What the Infant Morality Prevention Network does

The Infant Morality Prevention Network aims to allocate resources based on need as we create innovative solutions to eliminate disparities in infant mortality and improve birth outcomes for communities most at risk.

Community education

  • Promote awareness about the role racism plays in pregnancy and infant health outcomes
  • Connect community with services and resources that promote healthy birth outcomes, remove barriers to accessing resources, or reduce trauma and stress
  • Create opportunities for families to connect with community

Direct services

Each Infant Mortality Prevention Network agency provides unique direct services and case management to families who belong to communities most impacted infant mortality. Service models are designed with culture and community in the forefront.

Connect with the Infant Mortality Prevention Network Agencies

Atlantic Street Center - Teens as Parents Program (TAPP)

Prenatal and post-natal care with Case Managers and referral system. Individually tailored support through pregnancy. Provides comprehensive education and guidance to improve parenting skills, prepare pregnant and parenting youth for occupational and educational success.

Mother Africa - Flourishing Under Five

Mother Africa provides advocacy and support for immigrant and refugee families to help bridge their cultural way of life with systems for raising their children here in King County. Flourishing Under Five, a combined program once known as “Best4babies” and “Flourishing and Resilient,” is offered in Swahili, Arabic, French, English and Dari.

Open Arms - Birth Doula Services

Open Arms Perinatal Services provides free community-based, culturally matched services for birthing people. Our services aim to improve birth experiences and lifelong outcomes for families. Through prenatal education, continuous doula support through labor, lactation guidance, support groups, and home visits, we establish supportive networks through pregnancy and beyond.

Rainier Valley Birth and Health Center (RVBHC) - Wrap-Around Pregnancy and Birth Services

RVBHC centers programs around a clear recognition of deep-seated institutional racism that drives disparities related to infant mortality and compromised health and well-being. Services include labor and delivery, lactation support, Baby Talk prenatal care groups, and preventative care.

 

Seattle Indian Health Board - Nutrition and Family Services Program

Supporting American Indian/Alaska Native women of childbearing age, their partners, and their children by providing wraparound care for families, including traditional Indian medicine, holistic approaches to health through and introduction to indigenous birthing and breastfeeding resources, and indigenous foods.

Somali Health Board - Somali Centering Motherhood Project (SCMP)

A culturally responsive prenatal to five home-based program that adapts and incorporates two evidence-based models: Centering Pregnancy and Centering Parenting.

The Infant Morality Prevention Network is a joint effort funded by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the City of Seattle Department of Human Services, and Best Starts for Kids.

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