Chicago Health Connection

HRSA RFA RELEASED!
On December 26, 2007, President Bush signed the 2008 omnibus appropriations bill which includes $1.536 million of funding for community-based doula programs. Community-based doula programs can apply for this money through a competitive grants process through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The HRSA Request for Application (RFA) was released May 30, 2008, and the deadline to apply for the funding is July 1, 2008.

The RFA is posted on www.grants.gov (search using keyword doula). CHC will schedule a HRSA- sponsored conference call to review the funding guidelines. Check back frequently for further information. To join our conference calls, check the Network Events page.

ARCHIVED NEWS

The first annual conference hosted by the Chicago Community Health Workers Local Network was a success! The conference took place on November 9, 2007, with a keynote speech delivered by Sergio Matos of Columbia University.

If you are interested in participating in the Local Network, click here for more information, or call Alfredo Lopez at 312.243.4772, ext. 225.

The most recent update to The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on “Continuous Support for Women in Childbirth” is now available for free download at the website of Childbirth Connections. The review summarizes results of 16 randomized controlled trials with over 13,000 women, and its main objective was to assess the effects of continuous one-to-one support during labor on mothers and their babies. Among the findings: Compared to women to did not receive this type of support, women who received continuous one-to-one care were less likely to give birth by cesarean, give birth with vacuum extraction or forceps, have any analgesia/anesthesia (including regional) and to report a negative labor and birth experience. For more details or to download the report, go here.

HRSA released a detailed report after an extensive study of the CHW role. Take a look here.

Our Annual Benefit 2007 was held at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for a special celebration “Nurturing Excellence.” CHC honored Bertha Mitchell Smith of the Chicago Urban League for her dedication to improving the lives of women and their families. The event also featured Sandra Finley of the League of Black Women as keynote speaker. A fabulous time was had by all!!

The Community Based Doula: Buy your book here!

The Community-Based Doula: Reclaiming Birth, Empowering Families , by CHC Executive Director Rachel Abramson and co-authors Ginger Breedlove and Beth Isaacs, is now available. The book is about the impact of doula support and the importance of the community-based doula model to families around the country.

Order your copy and find out about the work that supports so many mothers around the world!

The March 2007 issue of Disease Management has an article titled “A Traditional Model of Pregnancy Care Shows Promise in Reaching Disadvantaged Women,” featuring Executive Director Rachel Abramson.

A Doula Story has made its way to Japan!! Thanks to Rieko Kishi, a CHC intern and longtime friend. Enjoy this promotional poster!

A Doula Story is a movie about a CHC-trained doula and her work. It is powerfully touching and informative. If you did not catch it on PBS last fall, order a copy from us! Send us an email or give us a call for more info. In the meantime, you can watch a trailer.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provided a generous grant to CHC for a four-year pilot project of the community-based doula model. The RWJF website has a wonderful project report that explains our work http://www.rwjf.org/reports/grr/029806.htm.

Article about A Doula Story in Reel Chicago.

"Peer counseling program helps nursing women" in the Athens Banner-Herald.

"Story on peer counseling provided valuable service" in the Athens-Banner Herald.

''Mothering the Mother' During Childbirth, and After"
- New York Times