The city of Detroit and Wayne State University are rolling out more resources for expectant mothers in an effort to reduce preterm births and infant mortality in the city.
Officially launched Wednesday is a program called SisterFriends Detroit, which pairs mothers and their families with volunteer mentors during pregnancy and for one year after birth.
"Having that mentorship and support is what SisterFriends is about, and building that community effort and community support and giving them that social support so moms know they don't have to have a baby alone," said Joneigh Khaldun, M.D., executive director of the Detroit Health Department.
Based off a 30-year-old community support model called Birthing Project USA, SisterFriends started as a pilot program in December and garnered 42 volunteers. Khaldun said she expects to have at least 1,000 as the program gets off the ground.
SisterFriends has received $2 million from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, $100,000 from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and $70,000 from the Kresge Foundation, according to a city news release.
The program has also been blended with Make Your Date Detroit, a nonprofit organization launched by the city and WSU in 2014. It has assisted more than 5,800 pregnant women in the city since its inception.
Matching the two programs means bridging medical care with social support, and it ensures that women are supported on all sides during pregnancy, Khaldun said. The programs allow easier access to health insurance, home visits and prenatal care, and they provide education on pregnancy, birth and parenting.
In addition, expectant mothers participating in the mentorship program will have access to BabyRide, a transportation service powered by Lyft, to get them to doctor's appointments, SisterFriends meetings and Make Your Date sessions.
"Detroit, WSU roll out new program to combat preterm births, infant mortality" originally appeared in Crain's Detroit Business.