Policy Brief: Alternatives to Incarceration for Pregnant and Postpartum People in the U.S.
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with rates of reproductive-aged women in prisons and jails skyrocketing in recent decades. For incarcerated pregnant people, birth is typically followed by near immediate separation from their newborn. This traumatic practice has long been standard practice in carceral settings.
However, twelve states have developed alternatives to incarceration, which can occur at various points in the criminal legal system, to address the complex needs of pregnant and postpartum people and their families. Learn about these states, their eligibility criteria, and where laws prevent the separation of the biological mother from their newborn by reading the Center’s newest policy brief, Alternatives to Incarceration for Pregnant and Postpartum People in the U.S.
Kudos and thanks to MCHer Rosie Laine, who served as the lead author for this brief.
Stay tuned for the next policy brief, Breastfeeding and Lactation Support for Incarcerated People in the U.S., coming soon!
-Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter Reproductive (In)Justice: A Newsletter on Pregnancy & Parenting in Prisons.
Student Spotlight: How Has Monica Marcial Gutierrez's Position as a WIC Nutritionist and her Student Group Leadership Role Enriched her Interests in MCH?
MCH Leads Blog Post: Systems-Level Work to Support Home Visiting and Promote Maternal and Infant Health Equity - Health Equity Edition
Candace Jarzombek, from the HRSA-funded Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health at Boston University, is the newest author for the Health Equity Edition of MCH Leads, the student-led national MCH trainee blog. In her blog post Candace applies MCH competency 4 (Critical Thinking) to her work with BabyCare, a home visiting program for Medicaid-enrolled pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants provided through Virginia’s Local Health Districts (LHD). “Evaluations of one LHD’s BabyCare program have shown impacts on infant health outcomes such as premature birth and low birthweight...” Continue reading more about Candace’s health equity efforts here!
MCH Alumni Panel
April 6, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM CDT
The student groups from the UMN's (MCHIG), UIC's, and SLU's HRSA-funded Centers of Excellence in MCH are excited to host a panel of alumni representing Regions V and VII! Join us for our discussion on the depth of career options in the field of maternal and child public health and navigating the professional landscape after graduation. Joining us will be UMN alum Asha Hassan, UIC alum Sara Navin, and SLU alum Kayley Delashmit to discuss their own career experiences and host a Q&A session with students and soon-to-be graduates.
Reproductive Justice Bookclub: The Right to Parent
April 18, 2023 | 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM CDT
The Maternal and Child Health Interest Group (MCHIG) is hosting the last session of a three-part virtual book club series focused on the Tenets of Reproductive Justice: The Right To Parent. This series is grounded in the experiences of people working and living closest to reproductive justice and health equity initiatives. It aims to provide a trauma-informed, welcoming, inclusive, and healing experience, especially for those with complex experiences with pregnancy, birth, caregiving, parenting, and abortion. Space is limited and currently open to MCH and HPM students. Check MCHIG’s event web page for details; register here to secure your spot!
Mini-Lab and Skills Institute: The Power of First Person Storytelling in Public Health with Allison Myers from the StoryCenter
April 27, 2023 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Personal narratives are powerful tools for researchers and practitioners alike. They can be used to educate, influence, train, advocate, and reflect in the public health field. Harnessing the power of these narratives is an important skill. This session on digital storytelling from the StoryCenter will be a brief introduction to the process of gathering and presenting personal narratives for public health use. As a leader in the global storytelling movement, StoryCenter has decades of experience helping organizations and individuals bolster their storytelling skills. MCH students funded by the Center are required to attend as this counts as the last Skills Institute Workshop for the year.
2023 Adolescent Health Summer Institute
July 24-26, 2023 | 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM CDT | Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center | $300
The 2023 Summer Institute in Adolescent Health invites you to challenge what you know and disrupt the status quo. Examine current and historical trends in adolescent sexual health and explore ever-changing laws and policies regarding access to abortion and contraception. Apply an intersectionality framework to sexual health education, health disparities research, and the impact of mainstream pornography. Hear directly from young people who are organizing for reproductive justice and building youth power in Minnesota. Connect with other caring adults who are passionate about supporting adolescents in this critical time.
