The Catalyst Project Community Input process involved engaging black mothers and fathers in Milwaukee to gather valuable insights and first-person data. The objective of this project was to inform future interventions and programmatic recommendations aimed at reducing disparities in birth outcomes and reducing infant mortality rates in the city. The overall process included three phases: developing a survey tool focused on alignment with project goals, gathering feedback with a goal of surveying 100 black mothers and fathers, furthering discovery through qualitative data capturing through an engaging podcast format, and finally reporting on ideas for achievable interventions that would have a lasting impact on improving black infant, maternal, and family health during the pregnancy process.

Total Respondents: 166 participants.
Distribution: Mothers (75), Loss of unborn child (43), Medical Providers/Birth Workers (8), Pregnant individuals (10), Fathers (16), Program recommendations (15).
Age Distribution: Majority between 21-30 and 31-40 years old, ranged from 15 to 60 years old.
Gender Identity: Majority identified as Female/Woman.
Ethnicity/Race: Over 85% of responded identified African American.
Geographic Distribution: 59% of individuals identified as living in Milwaukee’s top 10 most socially vulnerable zip codes.
Pregnancy Status: Some currently pregnant respondents.
Interest in Feedback: Majority interested in survey feedback updates.
Stress Indicators: Highest reported stress level was 10 out of 10.
Mental Health Support: Overwhelming desire for accessible mental health services.
Financial Stability: Workforce and financial resources were major stress areas.
Communication Challenges: Communication a significant pain point.
Learning Preferences: Majority preferred visual-based learning.

Coping with Stress Guides and Tools: Develop personalized stress coping guides and tools for mothers, including a mobile app or online platform with mindfulness exercises, relaxation techniques, and virtual counseling sessions with licensed therapists. Also, create stress management workshops and distribute stress coping toolkits through community organizations.

Relationship Improvement Pathways: Establish relationship enrichment programs, workshops, and a counseling helpline for partners and co-parents to improve communication and support during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Increase Access to Mental Health Support: Collaborate with healthcare providers to implement mental health screenings, establish community-based mental health support centers, and create a mobile text-based support service for immediate assistance.

Innovate Ways for Financial Stability During Pregnancy: Provide job training, financial literacy workshops, and low-interest grants for expectant families to achieve financial stability during pregnancy.

Tools for Empowering Mothers to Voice Concerns: Develop a digital platform for anonymous sharing of experiences, provide assertiveness training workshops, and establish a peer mentorship program to help mothers voice their concerns effectively.

Visual Learning Tools: Create video-based educational materials and interactive workshops with visual aids to educate expectant and new parents on various health and parenting topics.

In-Person Spaces for Collaboration and Resource Access: Establish community resource hubs, host events bringing together service providers, and develop a referral system for relevant resources and programs.

Cultivate a Supportive Network: Develop "Circle of Support" programs, peer-to-peer mentoring, and virtual support groups to provide emotional support and guidance for mothers.

Improve Communication Skills: Offer couple's communication workshops, healthcare provider communication training, and a mobile app for partners to facilitate open discussions.

Teach Self-Advocacy: Organize culturally competent advocacy workshops, train peer advocates, and develop a mobile app to educate mothers about their rights and options.

Educate on Mom's Rights at Work: Implement workplace parental support programs, create online employer toolkits, and conduct webinars to support working mothers.

Foster Collaboration Among Resources: Establish a resource coordination network, organize community resource expos, and implement multi-agency case management to ensure holistic support.

Provide Trusted Resource Navigation: Develop a virtual resource navigation platform, train community health workers as resource navigators, and set up a resource hotline to assist mothers in finding relevant services.

Promote Self-Care for New Moms: Launch a self-care education campaign, provide self-care subscription boxes, and develop a mobile app with personalized self-care plans.

Establish Safe Spaces and Knowledgeable Communities: Create culturally sensitive birth circles and support groups, offer cultural competency training, and organize expert panels to provide guidance and knowledge.

For further details and a complete list of recommendations, please CLICK HERE.