Partner Partner Content Prenatal & Infant Care Network informs and connects

This story was made possible by support from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.

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Downtime rarely exists for those serving at-risk families in Fort Wayne. These case managers and social workers support parents facing housing instability, food insecurity, health concerns and persistent misinformation. They are often the first to hear a parent’s fears, becoming a trusted lifeline to help make connections when solutions feel limited or inaccessible.

“A job as a case manager can be really isolating,” says Jackie Martinez, who spent nine years with Healthier Moms & Babies before assuming her role as community impact director at the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation. “You’re trying to connect your clients to important resources, but sometimes you’re just treading water yourself. People who are doing this really hard work need resources, too.”

In 2015, the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation collaborated with Healthier Moms & Babies to launch the Prenatal & Infant Care (PIC) Network, a learning community that educates and supports prenatal care providers who work with vulnerable populations in Fort Wayne. Infant mortality rates in Allen County at the time were well above the national average of 5.8 deaths for every 1,000 live births, with a 2017 report indicating that Allen County had 7.3 deaths for every 1,000 babies born. Additionally, the 46805 and 46806 ZIP codes were among 20 zip codes in the state with the highest infant mortality rates.

According to Martinez, the PIC Network was developed to address these statistics by focusing on the lack of access to prenatal care, social and economic barriers, and the scarcity of vital resources. Now, more than a decade since its inception, it has grown into a connection space that unites healthcare professionals and community organizations as they work toward common goals: healthier pregnancies, safer births, and stronger outcomes for babies and families.

A two-fold approach: where education meets connection

Every quarter, the PIC Network hosts a free luncheon for care providers, community leaders and frontline workers who support maternal and infant health in Fort Wayne. The luncheon features local speakers providing education and resources on a pre-selected topic, which is typically chosen based on feedback from prior luncheons. Representatives from organizations across Allen County attend the luncheons to learn about emerging issues their clients may be facing and engage with like-minded people who share their experiences and struggles.

“The biggest strength of the PIC luncheons is connecting with people beyond the inbox,” Martinez says. “You get to sit down, share a meal and talk through frustrations and passions with others who understand the work. It really does take a village to support our community, and sometimes that village spans multiple organizations. Part of the foundation’s goal is to help these care providers and case managers tap into each other’s strengths and create a stronger network for their clients.”

Through the quarterly luncheons, Martinez and other leaders of the PIC Network receive consistent feedback from frontline workers, which helps them identify knowledge gaps and needs in the community. Their responsiveness is especially important as local leaders identify growing concerns and misinformation around health decisions that can significantly affect maternal and infant outcomes.

The upcoming PIC luncheon on March 12 will put Fort Wayne healthcare professionals on center stage to discuss recent changes to vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and how those recommendations differ from those of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The event, taking place at the Main Branch of the Allen County Public Library, will address common questions and encourage case managers to refer clients to trusted family physicians who have served the community for years.

“There’s a lot of confusion right now, and headlines and social media posts don’t always tell the full story,” says Connie Heflin, executive director of Super Shot, a nonprofit dedicated to making vaccinations more accessible for the people of Fort Wayne. “Parents want to protect their children, but they have a lot of questions. We hope this presentation will give local health workers and case managers some background information and equip them to refer their clients to resources and providers who can help them make the best decisions for their families.”

Dr. Tony GiaQuinta, a local pediatrician who also serves as Super Shot’s medical director, is scheduled to lend his trusted voice at the upcoming luncheon to help attendees understand the recent changes from the CDC. GiaQuinta will share how vaccine recommendations are developed, why local providers continue to follow the AAP’s guidance and how frontline workers can respond when families have concerns.

Building a stronger community

In the PIC Network’s early days, attendance at the luncheons hovered around 28 people. Today, as many as 100 guests attend the quarterly events. As a result, outcomes for mothers and babies in the Fort Wayne community have notably improved, particularly in the areas that were once at the highest risk for infant mortality.

Reports from the past few years indicate that the infant mortality rate in the 46806 ZIP code, which was 15.4 in 2017, has decreased to 11.4. Additionally, the 46805 ZIP code is no longer found in the top 20. Martinez credits expanded prenatal care access, the implementation of home visiting programs, and increased education on initiatives like the safe sleep program for the improvement in outcomes.

While the recent improvement is encouraging to local leaders, Martinez also acknowledges the disparities that remain and the work that still needs to be done. 

“We have a lot of resources in our community, but there are still never enough,” says Martinez. “I’m encouraged by how collaborative our local organizations and leaders are, coming together to meet needs and find creative solutions.”

Ideas and feedback from the PIC Network have directly contributed to new initiatives like PrenatalPath.com, an online portal that connects families to affordable supplies and support related to prenatal care, child development and financial assistance. St. Joe Community Health Foundation and Ascension Health Foundation have started a homelessness prevention pilot program in conjunction with several partner agencies to address housing insecurity among perinatal women and infants.

“Working with mothers, babies and families on the margins has always been part of who we are, dating back to the influence of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ,” says Matt Smith, executive director of the St. Joe Foundation. “The Poor Handmaids walked alongside those in need. The PIC Network makes that mission tangible by offering resources to the people on the front lines and supporting the people who do some of the hardest work in our community.”

In a role where it is easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed, the PIC Network provides local case managers and care providers with a time to build community by developing connections with each other. Martinez says at every luncheon, something special happens around the conference room tables: People show up tired, but they leave full — in more ways than one.
The upcoming March luncheon is open to anyone working in maternal and infant health who wants to engage, learn and connect. Details can be found here.

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This story was made possible by support from the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.