What is ICO4MCH?

Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health: The NC General Assembly allocated funding to local health departments to implement evidence-based strategies to combat infant mortality; Division of Public Health (DPH) Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section funded five grantee local health departments. Forsyth County joined Guilford County to create the Guilford-Forsyth Collaborative. This is a collective action grant.

Goals

Reduce Infant Mortality
Improve Birth Outcomes
Improve Child Health ages 0-5

Reduce Infant Mortality

Breastfeeding

Crucially important to reducing infant mortality is encouraging breastfeeding and removing barriers for mothers in workplaces. Consider signing our Latch On, Forsyth! pledge aligned with the “Making it Work Initiative” to show a commitment to providing comfortable, safe and discreet accommodations for mothers to pump for their babies.

Sign the Latch On Forsyth! Pledge

We support and encourage the World Health organization’s 10 steps to successful breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Peer Support Counselors

The Breastfeeding peer counselors (BFPC) provide encouragement, support, and information to pregnant and breastfeeding women enrolled in the BFPC Program to help prevent, correct and/or manage common breastfeeding problems and to increase breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Breastfeeding classes are offered online in English and Spanish. For more information call 336-703-3346.

Community Action Team (CAT)

The CAT is a subcommittee under the Infant Mortality Reduction Coalition. This is a group of community members, organizations, and stakeholders who work together to address Infant Mortality. We meet quarterly. Members: Tiara Morris, Cecilia West, LaSonya Tuddle, Sherita Sutton, Mayte Grundsmeth, Sheila Britt-Smith, Brianna Holland, Connie Perry, Jasmine Harris and Naomi DeLucca.

Reproductive Health and Wellness

We offer Reproductive Life Planning Assessments in Forsyth County Department of Public Health.

Nutrition and Physical Health

We work alongside the nutrionists with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and our Health Ambassador Media Library.

Mental Wellness

Our programs "Weathering The Storm" and the "Mothers and Babies Stress Management Program" teach expectant and new mothers to help manage stress and prevent postpartum depression.

Sexual Health

We collaborate with POSSE (Prevent Ongoing Spread of STI's Everywhere) to provide free testing and consultation.

Preconception Peer Educators

The Preconception Peer Educator program reaches college-aged students with targeted health messages emphasizing preconception health and care for individuals of Reproductive Age. The PPE Student groups are led by faculty at Winston Salem State University, initiated by the US DHHS Office of Minority Health to raise awareness about healthy behaviors and social determinants of health.

Contact

For more information, contact Keyla Lewis-Fleming.

Phone: 336-703-3247
Email: lewisfkf@forsyth.cc

Public Health

799 North Highland Avenue
Winston Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336-703-3100
Fax: 336-748-3292

Social Services

741 North Highland Avenue
Winston Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336-703-3800
Fax: 336-727-2842

Bridges to Hope

725 North Highland Avenue
Winston Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336-776-3255

Behavioral Health Services

650 Highland Avenue
Winston Salem, NC 27101
Phone: 336-703-2600

Communicable Disease

After Hours Emergency CD Line for Providers
336-409-0357