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
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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
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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?