Kansas Prematurity Coalition Developing a statewide collaborative effort Diane M. Daldrup State Director of Program Services

Coalition Concept In Fall, 2009 the March of Dimes called for maternal & infant stakeholders to join forces and form a statewide prematurity coalition focused on developing a strategic, collaborative effort that would focus on issues related to premature birth.

Coalition Goals 1) create a strong unified voice in Kansas to help reduce the rate of premature births and improve outcomes for children born prematurely and their families 2) Provide a sustainable setting to network, share best practice information and leverage limited resources 3) Work together to collaboratively address policy, resource and systems change 4) Inform and educate practitioners, decision-makers and the general public about current and emerging prematurity issues

Coalition Structure & Membership Facilitated by the March of Dimes Statewide focus including rural and urban communities and the Kansas City bi-state area Includes stakeholders representing diverse health care settings, public health, government, education and insurers Representation from key M&I organizations including the KDHE, KMCHC, PAK, ACOG, AWHONN, ACNM, KAAP, MCHC, Blue Ribbon Panel on Infant Mortality, Newborn Screening Advisory Council, County Health Departments, etc.

Areas of Focus  Create network among diverse stakeholders  Identify current & emerging issues  Provide targeted education  Promote national best practice models

Targeted Education  Late Preterm Birth  QI Projects (Elimination of elective c-sections/inductions)  Birth Disparities  Preconception Care  Infant Mortality  Life Course Perspective

National Best Practice Models  Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait (KY)  Karla Damus, Principal Investigator  Saving Babies Initiative (VA Dept of Health)  Diane Helentjaris, Director  National Partnership for Action (US DHHS)  Mirtha Beadle Deputy Director  ACOG Policy Brief (<39 Weeks Deliveries)  Richard Waldman, President  California Preconception Coalition  Arlene Cummins, Executive Director  Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership  Janine Lewis, Senior Associate, Practice Matters

Three Priority Areas Identified Steering Committee formed and three priorities have been identified.  Eliminating Birth Disparities  Late Preterm/Early Term Reduction  Preconception/Interconception Care

Structure Models Discussed  Various structure models discussed  Numerous leadership options considered  Resource constraints identified  Additional stakeholder input sought

Key Challenges Identified  Systems change is slow and progressive  Numerous stakeholder groups and priorities  Lack of comprehensive plan to address M&I issues  Dramatically changing legislative climate  Limited resources (time, staff, money)

Changing Landscape  State and national resources are diminishing and in many instances disappearing  Professional associations are working to identify key priorities and a more focused plan of work  State and county departments of health are focusing on key activities and providing only the essential services.  March of Dimes is narrowing focus and considering different integrated change models for statewide impact.

What does this mean? Many of the resources we need are not available at this time. It’s time to crystallize our focus, strengthen our partnerships and develop a clear plan for achieving the end goal. Get Ready! Further explore collaborative organizational structures and identify the best fit for statewide success in Kansas

What does this mean? Pursue a variety of funding streams – local, state and national, looking at government, corporate and foundation sources. Keep at it ! The interest and the will to do the hard work is apparent. We are making progress!

March of Dimes Role  Work with stakeholder groups to develop an organizational framework and plan of action  Continue to provide targeted educational opportunities on key M&I topics  Bring best practice speakers to Kansas  Work with stakeholders to secure adequate funding to formally launch a statewide collaborative

What will you do?