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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Items in this list may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information reflects the most current data about the source that has been provided to the MCH Digital Library.

Displaying records 1 through 4 (4 total).

Clyde M, Cremer S, Emple H, BA; Folake E Koch A, Rivera D, Searing H. 2020 . Introducing: The severe maternal morbidity toolkit. New York, NY: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 8 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit introduces a three-part strategy developed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to address severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Created through the SMM Project (2017-2020) with funding from Merck for Mothers, the toolkit outlines approaches to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce racial disparities in NYC. The document describes three interconnected strategies: improving quality of maternity care at hospitals through standardized SMM case reviews; understanding mothers' experiences with SMM through qualitative research; and mobilizing communities around maternal health through engagement initiatives. The toolkit highlights significant racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, with Black women being eight times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes and three times more likely to experience SMM than White women. It also explains connections to NYC's Maternity Hospital Quality Improvement Network and Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, showing how these initiatives collectively work to embed clinical quality improvement within holistic programs engaging both hospitals and communities.

Keywords: Case assessment, Health care disparities, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Prevention, Qualitative assessment, Quality improvement, Racial factors, Research

Eniola F, Nack A, Niles P, Morton CH, Searing H. 2020. Women’s experiences with severe maternal morbidity in New York City: A Qualitative Report. New York, NY: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 44 pp.

Annotation: This report presents findings from a qualitative study examining women's experiences with severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in New York City. It describes the perceptions and experiences of 15 women who faced life-threatening complications during childbirth, exploring the physical, emotional, social, and financial consequences of these events. The document outlines how clinician interaction styles influenced women's experiences, with patient-centered approaches being preferred over biomedical or moral surveillance models. Key findings highlight how women with underlying health conditions and socioeconomic vulnerabilities experienced additional challenges during recovery, and that not being listened to or believed was a common experience among participants. The report provides recommendations for improving quality of maternity care, supporting families, and promoting health equity through public health agencies and community health programs. It includes detailed methodology, participant characteristics, and direct quotes from women describing their experiences before, during, and after SMM events.

Keywords: Childbirth, Health equity, Maternal morbidity, Qualitative assessment, Quality improvement, Risk factors

Comfort Consults. [2009]. Keys to interactive parenting scale (KIPS). Cheyney, PA: Comfort Consults,

Annotation: This online assessment tool is designed to effectively measure the quality of parenting behaviors during free play with a young child. The tool assesses 12 interactive behaviors, such as encouragement, sensitivity of responses and involvement in children's activities. It is intended to help family service programs tailor their services to individual families, track parenting progress, and document program outcomes. Components of the online Keys to Interactive Parenting Scale (KIPS) training tool include a training workbook, scoring forms in English and Spanish, and access to the KIPS Library containing a searchable collection of play videos for practice and supervision.

Keywords: Assessment, Audiovisual materials, Early intervention, Evaluation, Home visiting, Measures, Parenting skills, Qualitative surveys

Fetterman DM, Kaftarian SJ, Wandersman A, eds. 1996. Empowerment evaluation: Knowledge and tools for self-assessment and accountability. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 411 pp.

Annotation: This book presents the theory and practice of empowerment evaluation, with an emphasis on the arenas of human services and public health. The book contains essays which examine the basic theory, philosophical framework, and examples of the application of empowerment evaluation. The examples include activism in the African American community, collaboration between community organizations, women's services organizations, community health initiatives, quality issues, and technical assistance. Author and subject indexes are included.

Keywords: Accountability, Assessment, Attitude change, Collaboration, Community based services, Community development, Evaluation, Public health, Qualitative evaluation
   

The MCH Library is one of six special collections at Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. The library is supported through foundation, private, university, state, and federal funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Georgetown University or the U.S. Government. Note: web pages whose development was supported by federal government grants are being reviewed to comply with applicable Executive Orders.