Why we need this plan
Illinois has a big problem. Not every birthing person has the same opportunity for a safe and healthy birth experience, leading to serious injuries (maternal morbidity) and deaths (maternal mortality) that are often preventable that impact some communities more than others. Avoidable and unfair differences in health outcomes like these are known as health inequities.
The Planning Process
From start to finish, this strategic plan prioritized and incorporated the lived experiences of community-based birth workers. We worked closely with dozens of birth justice advocates across the state to create the different components of the plan. We created a planning process that centered their perspectives, building meaningful consensus about key decisions before moving on. Their ideas shaped the design of several research projects, data interpretation, the birth justice summit, and the development of the plan itself.
The Mission
Elevating community-led birth justice in Illinois
ourcollective vision
Everyone in Illinois has access to the high-quality, holistic care they need to have safe, positive perinatal and reproductive experiences with the support and setting of their choice. Those providing care can access the training and resources necessary to thrive, strengthened by public and institutional policies that facilitate their success and sustainability.
ourvalues
Justice-centered
We place birth justice within the larger human rights framework including reproductive, social, economic, racial, and environmental justices
Collaboration & Coordination
We build inclusive coalitions that put the right people in the right seats to advance our collective work effectively and efficiently
Compassion
We love and care for ourselves and one another, understanding that we cannot pour from empty cups
Power With
We center and involve those most impacted, building power with our communities, not power over them
Historically minded, future-oriented
We draw inspiration from our ancestors, archive and amplify our life’s work, and imagine and actualize bold dreams for future generations
ourpriorities
Racism & Structural Violence
Address and interrupt racism and structural violence in all efforts.
Workforce
Create, grow, and support the workforce to meet worker and community needs.
Infrastructure
Create and redesign the infrastructure needed to support birth justice.
Persons’ Experience
Shift the culture around birth to center birthing people's experiences.
Funding Sustainability
Unlock sustainable, thriving, and strategic funding sources.
Goals, Activities and Key Results
Priority 1:
Address and interrupt racism and structural violence in all efforts. This priority area does not have its own list of goals, activities, and key results. Instead, we intentionally crafted each goal, activity, and key result with consideration of how they interrupt racism and structural violence, ensuring that all of our efforts advance this priority area.
Priority 2:
Create, grow, and support the workforce to meet worker and community needs.
Click the folder + icon to open the folder and reveal the data (Activities & Key Results) displayed under each Goal on this page.
Workforce Goal 1:
By 2028, establish a Statewide Community-Based Birth Justice Workforce Collaborative that strengthens the economic, professional, and organizing power of community birth workers through business development, collective infrastructure, shared advocacy, and sustainable funding systems.
By 2028, establish a Statewide Community-Based Birth Justice Workforce Collaborative that strengthens the economic, professional, and organizing power of community birth workers through business development, collective infrastructure, shared advocacy, and sustainable funding systems.
Activities
Key Results
Identify/recruit membership
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Number of members representing different geographies, communities, and professions
Create a community of practice/learning collaborative where members can problem-solve, share experiences and resources, learn together, mentor one another, celebrate one another, etc.
- At least six events held annually
Create/curate training and other resources related to certification, training, reimbursement, accessing funding, benefits support, and financial/business sustainability practices
- Funding/business toolkit created
Create a regular newsletter for further information sharing for noteworthy updates across the state
- At least four newsletters disseminated annually
Workforce Goal 2:
By 2030, recruit, train, and certify 300 individuals living in perinatal care deserts, particularly Black, Indigenous, and other aspiring birth workers of color, for employment in high-demand community-based birth justice roles.
By 2030, recruit, train, and certify 300 individuals living in perinatal care deserts, particularly Black, Indigenous, and other aspiring birth workers of color, for employment in high-demand community-based birth justice roles.
Activities
Key Results
Conduct an annual survey of existing training programs, priority roles/geographies to be filled, and barriers to completion
- Number of roles added annually to each priority role/geography, totaling 300 in 2030
Create a detailed database that allows people to view different training providers/options, including costs, time, admission requirements, etc.
- Database created
Create awareness and recruitment materials for birth justice training and career options
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Materials created in top five languages spoken in IL and multiple formats
Identify and train a cohort of local ambassadors to support recruitment
- 20 ambassadors trained
Conduct outreach and recruitment events at local schools, institutions, community groups, etc.
- 50 outreach and recruitment events conducted
Connect with employers to post openings on a community-based birth justice job board
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Number of job postings
Number of employers engaged
Workforce Goal 3:
By 2029, develop and disseminate a Statewide Birth Justice Workforce Training Framework that promotes inter-professional collaboration, and culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and holistic care across community birth workers and health system workers.
By 2029, develop and disseminate a Statewide Birth Justice Workforce Training Framework that promotes inter-professional collaboration, and culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and holistic care across community birth workers and health system workers.
Activities
Key Results
Create training framework that includes sample protocols and recommendations for transforming practices to align with birth justice principles and modifications for different geographic/cultural environments
- Framework created, formatted, and published
Work with certifying and training entities, provider advocacy groups, and regulatory bodies to incorporate this training framework into their recommended curricula
- Number of groups identified and engaged
Mobilize champions to deliver this training framework to health and hospital systems across the state
- At least 3 health systems are engaged in training
Create a community of practice for providers to receive technical assistance, evaluate, and practice their competencies, and receive social/emotional support.
- Number of participants in community of practice Number of community of practice meetings
Priority 3:
Create and redesign the infrastructure needed to support birth justice.
Infrastructure Goal 1:
By 2028, co-create a Statewide Birth Worker Integration Playbook, developed in partnership with community birth workers, medical providers, advocates, and policymakers, to guide the seamless and equitable integration of community birth work into Illinois’ health systems.
By 2028, co-create a Statewide Birth Worker Integration Playbook, developed in partnership with community birth workers, medical providers, advocates, and policymakers, to guide the seamless and equitable integration of community birth work into Illinois’ health systems.
Activities
Key Results
Host roundtable/stakeholder discussions to identify priorities and best practices for integration with accountability measures
- Number of stakeholders representing different geographies/sectors/professions
Draft an Integration Playbook that includes recommendations for birth worker scope, roles, policies, screening protocols, best practices to improve care coordination across community and health system settings, and transfer protocols.
- Publication of playbook
Create and implement a dissemination plan for the Integration Playbook, including a training module on effective playbook utilization and how to tailor recommendations to different needs/resources/systems
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Statewide standardized transfer protocols are included in transfer agreements and implemented for all birthing hospitals to receive community birth patient transfers, with hospitals identifying an appropriate liaison and requiring annual transfer simulations
Monitor and evaluate utilization of Integration Playbook
- Quality improvement methods will be used to evaluate and track birth transfers between community birth settings and birthing hospitals
Infrastructure Goal 2:
By 2028, work with the Illinois Birth Center Task Force to implement an advocacy plan and related technical assistance that support the growth and sustainability of Birth Centers in perinatal health deserts.
By 2028, work with the Illinois Birth Center Task Force to implement an advocacy plan and related technical assistance that support the growth and sustainability of Birth Centers in perinatal health deserts.
Activities
Key Results
Develop consensus on a plan for the number and location of additional birth centers needed in Illinois, with at least one in each of the 10 Illinois Regional Perinatal Networks.
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At least four new organizations or individuals agree to initiate efforts to open a new birth center in an area of need
Generate and implement a plan to open and sustain new and existing birth centers, including procurement of funding for start-up costs and peer support for birth centers.
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• Initial and ongoing funding has been secured to support the opening and operation of at least four new birth centers
• A community of practice is available to provide resources and technical assistance for new and existing Illinois birth centers
Build the infrastructure and support needed to fully train new Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), including scholarships, mentorships, and local and racially concordant preceptorships.
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• There is an increase in the number of CNMs and CPMs providing services in Illinois' health professional shortage areas
• A resource pool is funded to support trainee tuition and other expenses through their training and preceptorship.
• At least 10 new birth center preceptors are identified and engaged across the state.
• CPMs are added to the list of eligible professions for the Illinois National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment Program
Infrastructure Goal 3:
By 2027, build a statewide Birth Justice Advocacy Infrastructure Framework that ensures community-based birth workers have both representation and influence in policy and decision-making spaces, and that stakeholders are equipped to advocate for community-based birth justice.
By 2027, build a statewide Birth Justice Advocacy Infrastructure Framework that ensures community-based birth workers have both representation and influence in policy and decision-making spaces, and that stakeholders are equipped to advocate for community-based birth justice.
Activities
Key Results
Create “Who’s Who” info sheet/directory of different coalitions, groups, legislators, advocates, etc., for both advocates and legislators
- Number of people/parties added to the list
Establish alliances among the varying legislators and associations in the arena, making a shared vision with the other groups working in this space
- Number of alliance relationships established
Create policy briefs, fact sheets, and other materials for legislators and other stakeholders
- Number of documents created and disseminated in multiple languages and formats
Create marketing campaigns through social media, press releases, town halls, and testimonies to promote the importance of supporting all facets of birth work
-
• Number of events hosted
• Number of participants
Release regular newsletter/communication with updates on policy updates, advocacy opportunities
- Number of people on mailing list
Identify a list of all relevant state advisory boards, work groups, etc., and ensure there is a community-based person at the table
- At least one community-based person on each of the tables on the list
Draft and implement legislation to mandate the inclusion of BIPOC community-based birth workers on relevant boards (x% of members, etc.)
- Number of bills incorporating recommended language
Priority 4:
Shift the culture around birth to center birthing people's experiences.
People's Experience Goal 1:
By 2028, co-create and launch a series of culturally-tailored public education campaigns that raise awareness about birth justice and community-based birth options among communities most impacted by birth inequities, including Black, immigrant, and publicly insured families.
By 2028, co-create and launch a series of culturally-tailored public education campaigns that raise awareness about birth justice and community-based birth options among communities most impacted by birth inequities, including Black, immigrant, and publicly insured families.
Activities
Key Results
- Number of culturally-tailored materials created
Free, accessible campaign materials launched in digital and print form in multiple languages
- Number of languages utilized
Conduct outreach events to the community to
disseminate materials and share about birth justice
rights and support & care services
-
• Number of events conducted
• Pre/post-event evaluation results
Present or table in-person at conferences, professional associations, health fairs, universities, schools, industry partners, religious centers, etc.
- Number of events tabled at
People's Experience Goal 2:
By 2029, establish statewide birth justice feedback and accountability systems and processes that regularly collect, analyze, and act on the experiences of birthing people to improve care quality, cultural responsiveness, and equity across Illinois.
By 2029, establish statewide birth justice feedback and accountability systems and processes that regularly collect, analyze, and act on the experiences of birthing people to improve care quality, cultural responsiveness, and equity across Illinois.
Activities
Key Results
Establish partnerships with MCOs, hospital associations, and health systems
- Number of established partnerships
Generate recommendations for the addition of community-based practice measures into existing quality measurement guidelines (i.e., HEIDS, ILPQC) and distribute to MCOs, third-party billing administrators, health systems, and other providers and payers
- Recommendations created and distributed through at least two shared learning events
Draft a project to research, design, pilot, and evaluate centralized tools to assess community-based practice measures excluded from existing quality measurement tools
- At least one tool created and piloted
Research and design a state-level accountability system rooted in community-based birth justice principles
- Draft of system completed
People's Experience Goal 3:
By 2027, design, curate, and launch a statewide Birth Justice Resource & Referral Hub that provides public access to culturally congruent, disability-inclusive, and ancestrally-rooted supports for birthing people and families across Illinois, including a provider directory, support groups, and educational materials.
By 2027, design, curate, and launch a statewide Birth Justice Resource & Referral Hub that provides public access to culturally congruent, disability-inclusive, and ancestrally-rooted supports for birthing people and families across Illinois, including a provider directory, support groups, and educational materials.
Activities
Key Results
Create a rubric of vetting metrics to assess resources for cultural humility, accessibility, etc.
- Rubric created
Perform research to find resources and providers structured by region/county, and identify where there are resource gaps
- Number of resources identified
Create and launch an online resource hub for existing resources
- Number of annual users
Create peer-to-peer support groups for specific geographies, populations, and needs where gaps exist
- Number of new groups created
Priority 5:
Unlock sustainable, thriving, and strategic funding sources
Funding Goal 1:
By 2027, develop a Statewide Birth Justice Reimbursement & Coverage Advocacy Plan and related outreach materials for legislators, regulatory bodies, MCOs, and private insurance companies that advocates for equitable coverage and reimbursement criteria/rates.
By 2027, develop a Statewide Birth Justice Reimbursement & Coverage Advocacy Plan and related outreach materials for legislators, regulatory bodies, MCOs, and private insurance companies that advocates for equitable coverage and reimbursement criteria/rates.
Activities
Key Results
Identify reimbursement/coverage priorities, including additional provider types, changes to fee schedules, inclusion of additional services, allowance of braiding public funds, and others
- List of policy priorities
Development of an advocacy strategy for Medicaid coverage changes in partnership with HFS, IDPH, and other legislative bodies
- Each policy priority has an informed advocacy strategy associated with it
Development of the appropriate materials for each proposed change (organizing campaigns, feasibility studies, legislative briefs, etc.)
-
• Identification of required materials for each issue
• Completion of identified materials
Provide recommendations for equitable coverage and reimbursement rates to private insurance companies
-
• Generation of recommendations
• Host a convening attended by at least 5 private insurance providers that reviews recommendations
Support implementation of various policies at organizational and individual levels, including those related to certification, reimbursement, workforce integration, and others)
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• Prioritization of three policy areas requiring additional implementation support
• Development of relevant toolkits, webinars, and other resources
Funding Goal 2:
By 2027, launch and publish a Statewide Birth Justice Funding and Accountability Framework that educates and mobilizes philanthropic, public, and corporate funders to adopt equitable, sustained, and culturally responsive funding practices that strengthen community-based birth justice organizations.
By 2027, launch and publish a Statewide Birth Justice Funding and Accountability Framework that educates and mobilizes philanthropic, public, and corporate funders to adopt equitable, sustained, and culturally responsive funding practices that strengthen community-based birth justice organizations.
Activities
Key Results
Develop recommendations to private/corporate funders for sustainable, inclusive funding strategies and approaches
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Formal presentation of these recommendations to at least three foundation/corporate collaboratives
Work with public agencies to strategically align funding recommendations with feasible workarounds to engage smaller organizations to participate in larger government grants
-
• Map of legislative vs administrative/regulatory barriers
• Agreement with at least one government agency about a potential workaround to help grant public dollars to smaller organizations
Identify and engage with a broader set of corporate and private funders interested in perinatal health
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• List of state and local funding intermediaries (chambers of commerce, foundation cooperatives)
• Informational presentations conducted with at least three new funding collaboratives
Create a map of the current perinatal health funding landscape to identify potential gaps and areas of opportunity
- RFPs released for at least three currently underfunded areas or initiatives
Create a searchable digital directory of funders and corporations that support birth justice work
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• Directory created
• Number of funders included
Develop a proposal for potential community-based birth justice funding cooperative or hub models that support smaller organizations and entrepreneurs
- Fiscal/operational feasibility assessments completed for at least two models