Maternal and Infant Mortality Prevention

Announcements

New funding opportunity: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces the availability of funds to provide strategic planning consulting to the Maternal Health Innovation Program's Maternal Health Task Force. This opportunity will focus on assisting the development stages of the Maternal Health Task Force with strategic planning activities, culminating in a draft Maternal Health strategic plan to be launched at a statewide Maternal Health Summit the following year. Apply by June 3, 2024. 

Registration is open for our Maternal Health Gathering on May 15, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. We are excited to gather partners and groups of all kinds to collaborate on improving outcomes for all birthing people and their families so that everyone in Wisconsin can live their best lives. The event is for those in Wisconsin working in maternal mortality prevention and related fields, including equity and racial justice. We hope to see you there!

Help support Wisconsin’s Maternal and Child Health (Title V) 2024 needs assessment. We need your help to recommend what could be done to improve the health of families in your community. Learn more about the MCH 2024 needs assessment and subscribe to our mailing list to get notified when the needs assessment launches later this year.

Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities

The Department of Health Services (DHS) is committed to equity and racial justice. Families in Wisconsin have been perpetually impacted by severe racial and ethnic disparities, which has led to adverse health and economic outcomes in our state. The Family Health Section in the Bureau of Community Health Promotion has a new unit focusing on achieving equity and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities. Wisconsin must strengthen efforts to assure the best outcomes for all birthing people and babies in the state.

The Maternal and Infant Mortality Prevention Unit partners with communities and organizations to address the social and economic conditions that can impact maternal and infant health, like high-quality health care access, education, poverty, and racism. The unit collaborates closely with the Maternal and Child Health (Title V) program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Medicaid (BadgerCare Plus), and partner agencies in order to develop comprehensive approaches to addressing the crisis of inequitable perinatal and infant health in our state.

A call to action

This new unit is rooted in equity and the centering of community voice to identify the most effective prevention strategies. Looking ahead, the Maternal and Infant Mortality Prevention Unit will bring together partners across the state to align and energize our efforts around our shared goals to improve birth outcomes and the health of birthing persons. Efforts will also include investment in the work of community-based and community-led organizations, health promotion initiatives, dissemination of data and reports, facilitation of capacity-building activities, and implementation of public health prevention strategies to improve birth outcomes in Wisconsin.

Let's work together

We want to partner with communities, organizations, and agencies. In addition to opportunities for collaboration and funding, we want to share relevant information in a timely manner. We encourage you to reach out, join us, review our reports, and request data you can use to organize your own work!

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Meet the unit

The Maternal and Infant Mortality Unit, in the Family Health Section, Bureau of Community Health, is organized into two teams, an Outreach Team and a Maternal Mortality Review Team. The Outreach Team is focused on community engagement and building partnerships. The Maternal Mortality Review Team works to increase awareness of the issues surrounding pregnancy-associated deaths and make recommendations to promote change among individuals, communities, and health care systems. Together, the unit works with partners across the agency and state to address the conditions that can adversely impact maternal and infant health.

Kenmikiiya Terry
Kenmikiiya.Terry@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Maternal and Infant Mortality Prevention Unit Supervisor
608-332-8583

Outreach Team

Maternal Mortality Review Team

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

You're not alone. Becoming a new parent can be hard. It is normal to feel depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed after having a baby. It's important to remember that mental health challenges are common during this time and there is no shame in seeking help.

If you would like someone to talk to, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262) any time. The service is available English and Spanish.