The Burke Foundation Plans to Expand CenteringPregnancy and CenteringParenting to 50 Sites in the Next Five Years
PRINCETON, New Jersey — Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) and the Burke Foundation have announced the launch of a statewide initiative to improve maternal, infant and child health outcomes, with a particular focus on reducing health disparities among under-resourced populations and communities of color. Through the initiative, the Burke Foundation will fund implementation of CenteringPregnancy® and CenteringParenting® models at up to 50 healthcare practices over the next five years.
A billable healthcare visit, Centering brings patients out of the exam room and into a group setting where they learn from their providers and each other. In each two-hour visit, there is ample time for health assessment, interactive learning and community building. Visits meet nationally recognized clinical standards and are facilitated by a credentialed healthcare provider. Patients receive high quality care and, as part of an ongoing group, form a supportive community where they develop skills and confidence to take control of the health of their children and themselves. By expanding access to the Centering models of group care, the initiative seeks to bring relationship-based care, grounded in evidence, to more families and regions in New Jersey and effectively support the prenatal-to-three system of care.
“This partnership is a long-term investment in improving health outcomes and self-activation for generations of New Jerseyans, allowing families and communities to thrive for decades to come,” said Angie Truesdale, Chief Executive Officer at CHI. “Centering offers the unique opportunity for continuity of care for families from pregnancy through the critical early years, and we expect this initiative in New Jersey to be held up as a successful model for all states to improve their maternal and child health outcomes.”
During the first year, a total of 10 implementation grants will help clinical practices establish Centering care in counties reporting poor health outcomes and greater health disparities. These awards will cover in-kind services including two years of implementation support, training, technical assistance, and materials from CHI. In addition, mini grants of up to $10,000 will be offered to help cover operational expenses.
“It will take a collaborative effort at multiple levels with both state and private investments to address these disparities and improve outcomes for infants, parents and families,” said Atiya Weiss, Executive Director of The Burke Foundation. “We are proud to be part of the movement to help make New Jersey families healthier and more resilient. We support Centering because we believe this relationship-based model uniquely incorporates peer learning, community building, and social support into the system of care to strengthen outcomes for expectant moms, babies and families.”
CenteringPregnancy, CHI’s flagship model, is a nationally recognized model of group prenatal care known to nearly eliminate the disparities in preterm birth rates between Black and White birthing individuals. Healthcare practices interested in starting CenteringPregnancy groups may apply for one of five implementation awards by completing the Request for Application by April 30, 2021. Promising applicants not selected may be considered for the second round of funding...