Milwaukee LIHF Aameria Zapata November 16, 2011 Oversight and Advisory Committee

Milwaukee LIHF

Aameria Zapata

November 16, 2011Oversight and Advisory Committee

Milwaukee LIHF Who we are

• A group of concerned Milwaukeeans united to eliminate the Black-White gap in infant mortality

• Everyday community members• Impacted population• Front line workers and

professionals• Public and private• Academics, faith community,

funders

Milwaukee LIHFAfrican American Voices• Convening the Community

– Steering Committee– African American Task Force– Domain Task Forces

• Communicating the Message• Engaging Youth• Listening Across the Lifecourse• Including the Faith Community• Involving Funders• Continuing Progress

• Infant mortality and racial disparities data• Lifecourse model & 12-point plan to close the Black-White gap• How components play out in Milwaukee – gaps and assets• Guiding principles (AATF)• Established priorities in each domain (domain TF)• Priorities in each area vetted (AATF & April Plenary)• Recommendations in each priority area (domain TF)• Review of additional data and approaches (domain TF)• Vetting and improvement of recommendations (AATF)• Recommendations approved unanimously (Steering Committee)

Milwaukee LIHFThe Planning Process

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The African American Task Force established principles and vetted and approved strategies that:

• Are culturally appropriate• Are community-driven• Are family-centered

Milwaukee LIHFGuiding Principles

• Respect and support the unique role of African American leaders and organizations

• Address racism• Integrate the concept of the Lifecourse

• Work toward fulfilling the project vision of reducing stress and improving birth outcomes

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Recommendation Focus:

1. Expanding healthcare access over the Lifecourse.

2. Strengthening father involvement in African American families.

3. Reducing poverty among African American families

Milwaukee LIHF Strategy Integration

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Milwaukee LIHFImproving Health Care

Expanding healthcare access over the lifecourse:• Facilitate access to healthcare services (including

preconception, prenatal, and interconception care).• Reduce financial barriers to African American utilization of

medical homes.• Increase the capacity and quality of medical homes.• Expand access to specialty care (including behavioral health

and dental care).

Strengthening father involvement:• Engage, partner with and fund grassroots and informal efforts

in the development of a comprehensive network of fatherhood resources and supports.

• Increase relationship-building skills and self-worth for African American men and their families.

• Increase the role that dads play in the community.

Milwaukee LIHFStrengthening Families

• Increase access to education and employment.

• Strengthen formal and informal partnerships to address structural barriers, including racism and discrimination.

Reducing poverty:• Remove structural

barriers to obtaining and retaining jobs.

• Increase family-sustaining jobs for low income African American men and their families.

Milwaukee LIHFSocial Determinants

• It takes time to establish trust and shared vision

• The impact of racism must be acknowledged• Creating a common agenda requires

leveraging resources• Ongoing communication is a necessity• Ensuring a community driven process is the

key to sustainability• Clarity in roles responsibilities and

representation is necessary for continuity• A respected convener role is essential to the

process.

Milwaukee LIHFLessons Learned

• 60% African American• Steering committee meet at least 10 times per year• AATF: Community leadership • Domain TFs: expertise and ownership• Co-chairs: leadership, manage group & preside over meetings • Voting procedures• Fiscal sponsor: YWCA

Milwaukee LIHFStructure & Operating Procedures

Geographic Focus

Remaining Work

• Guidance on geographic area of focus• Identification of specific measurable

outcomes and targets• Prioritizing policy issues and budget

recommendations• Increasing the involvement of targeted

communities• Ongoing work with other LIHF sites and

WPP

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vnash@planningcouncil.org

Milwaukee LIHFQuestions?