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Welcome to Region 8

Pregnant belly

Who we are

We are community members, parents, educators, representatives from both local and state public health agencies, and health care workers including physicians, nurses, community health workers, doulas, lactation consultants, mental health professionals, social workers, and many others. Our Regional Perinatal Quality Collaborative, aka "Region 8" or "SWMPQIC", is one of Michigan's prosperity regions, which includes Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. We operate with the support and guidance of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and consultants from Michigan Public Health Institute.

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Our “Why”

…because even in the year 2024, there are STILL disparities in our communities that are disproportionally affecting birthing people and babies of color, folks who are low income, and folks who live in certain zip codes. In Region 8, the infant mortality rate for Black infants is almost twice the rate of their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. Infant mortality rate based on insurance coverage for those with private insurance, vs. those with Medicaid is almost equally as troubling. Maternal mortality rates follow this trend also. Between 2015-2019, Black birthing people experienced 1.6 times greater mortality rates than White birthing people in Region 8.

Many of these disparities are the result of systemic and structural racism, with broad, multi-faceted, upstream roots. This is simply unacceptable to us. Through our work, we strive to ensure that ALL families have access to resources, information, connections, and effective and appropriate care in order to keep themselves and their babies healthy.

To get a full scope of the issues facing birthing people and babies in Region 8, please see the 2024 Region 8 Needs Assessment and Recommendations report and a full data report compiled by the MDHHS Epidemiology team, by clicking the boxes below.

So what are we doing about it?

In Fiscal Year 2024 (October 2023-October 2024), our work focused on:

  • Investigating the needs, gaps, and barriers experienced by birthing persons in our communities

  • Increasing community and provider awareness and familiarity with existing regional resources

  • Continuing to build a representative council of engaged partners that uplifts marginalized voices

(*Be sure to check back here often for Fiscal Year 2025 Workplan and Initiatives*)

SWMPQIC is all about striving for health equity and improving the health of birthing folks and their babies.

Our recent initiatives have included:​

  •  Recurring free education classes-including “Birth and Beyond”, “Postpartum Planning- Perinatal Mental Health” and “Infant Car Seat training”

  • Provider training on perinatal mental health issues

  • Relationships with The Haven and Grace Health-to create a referral process for supporting pregnant and postpartum people struggling with substance use disorders

  • Advancing Healthy Birth grants- one time grants offered to seven community based organizations throughout Region 8 to address the needs and barriers of pregnant and postpartum families

  • Listening sessions, Community Town Halls, and community event participation to hear from families in the Region about challenges, barriers, and unmet needs that affect their overall health and well being

  • Fostering relationships and facilitating discussions and collaborative work between community agencies, birthing hospitals, providers, and community members

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