The purpose of the Black Infant Health program is to work toward reducing African American infant mortality and its underlying causes through a comprehensive community-based effort. This is done by assuring that at-risk pregnant and parenting African-American women and their infants have access to quality maternal and child health services.

• Conduct a community-based Black Infant Health Program that supports, facilitates, and promotes better health care for at-risk African American women, children up to two years, and their families.
• Reduce the number of infants born with birth weights below 2,500 grams.
• Reduce the number of African American women who smoke, use alcohol, and/or non prescription drugs during pregnancy.
• Reduce the number of African American babies who die due to SIDS.

Implementation Activities

Prenatal Care Outreach that:

• Facilitates access to care
• Provides appropriate prenatal services
• Provides continuous care coordination
• Provides follow-up services to assure timely acquisition of prenatal care, well baby care and immunizations
• Provides other essential services.

• A series of group interactions which provide support, advocacy and assistance for high-risk women. Classes:
  • Help women who feel powerless learn to recognize their own skills and strengths
  • Promote the development of factors that promote and support health
  • Incorporate the strengths of the community
• Sister-to-Sister Mentoring which provides one-on-one and group support
• Community Advisory Council