IDHS Better Birth Outcomes - Comprehensive (BBO-C) Grant

Funder: Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Family & Community Services

The IDHS Better Birth Outcomes - Comprehensive (BBO-C) program offers vital nursing assessments for pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants. By connecting families to essential medical and social services, Nurse Navigators foster improved health outcomes through personalized support. This initiative aims to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in Illinois, providing comprehensive assistance throughout pregnancy and the first six months after birth, ensuring families access the benefits they need.

Executive Summary:
BBO-C is a program that provides a comprehensive nursing assessment to dyads (pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants) at their initial contact and helps connect families to a myriad of medical, social, and other benefits and supports available in their community. Through in-person visits, a Nurse Navigator completes an initial assessment during the prenatal and postpartum period. With the optional support of non-nurse Navigators, the program staff collaborate with each family to identify and mitigate barriers to accessing desired supports and services. By providing direct, 1:1 assistance to connect and engage with desired services, the Navigator helps the client meet their family's health and wellness goals and promotes the reduction of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. The BBO-C program provides these services to dyads throughout pregnancy and the first six months after birth to Illinois residents who meet the eligibility criteria for the program. Nurses are required to conduct the initial, in person, pregnancy visit and initial postpartum visit for this program and are expected to follow-up as indicated using clinical discretion. Non-nurse Navigators may provide follow-up at the discretion of the nurse.