Advocacy Overview
HealthConnect One mobilizes diverse stakeholders to build for policies and programs that improve maternal and child health. In that context, we work to strengthen, support, expand, and promote the role of Community Health Workers, including Doulas and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, across the country.
- HC One advocates for the maintenance and expansion of federal funding for community-based doula programs through our National Doula Advocacy Network.
- HC One advocates for breastfeeding in a variety of settings, by collaborating with hospital staff to create baby-friendly environments, by coaching fathers to support their babies' breastfeeding moms, and by advocating for women who want to breastfeed but face obstacles at work, at home, or in their communities. We are currently leading a statewide breastfeeding promotion initiative which will result in our development and dissemination of an Illinois Blueprint for Breastfeeding.
- In 2007, HC One became the fiscal sponsor for the new Chicago Community Health Workers Local Network, a coalition led by and for community health workers (CHWs) in the Chicago area. HC One and the Network are developing a joint advocacy agenda to expand and strengthen the role of CHWs in Illinois.
- In 2008, HC One began spearheading a new program to determine the best message and the best messenger for encouraging African-American and Hispanic families to donate umbilical cord blood for the treatment of cancers and various blood diseases.
- HC One advocacy involves convening stakeholders, developing messages, supporting families through childbirth, and strengthening communities.
For more information on HealthConnect One's advocacy programs, please click one of the links on the left.
