The WSPC works with a variety of partners to improve outcomes in the following areas. Our initiatives are based on recommendations from the Maternal Mortality Review Panel, best practice guidelines and research, and the needs of Washington families. You can learn more about WSPC initiatives below and connect with the program contact to get involved and support the work.
Clinical Quality Improvement
- Washington Blue Band Initiative (Hypertension)
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Purpose: Postpartum patients with hypertension or risk of preeclampsia wear a blue wristband, which alerts health care providers to be aware of blood pressure complications.
Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein
Resources: Washington Blue Band Initiative
- Center of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative
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Purpose: The Perinatal Substance Use Learning Collaborative works to improve care for people who are pregnant or postpartum and have a substance use disorder.
Program contact: Jenica Sandall (wsha.org)
Resources: Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Learning Collaborative (wsha.org) | Center of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use Certification
- Postpartum Hemorrhage Grants
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Purpose: Provide grants to improve hemorrhage processes and protocols and upgrade hemorrhage carts and supplies.
Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein
- Smooth Transitions
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Purpose: Quality improvement program that increases safety and improves patient experience during transfers from home or a birth center to a hospital for delivery. Smooth Transitions follows a collaborative care model that places birthing families at the center of care.
Program contact: Melissa Denmark (qualityhealth.org)
Resources: Smooth Transitions (qualityhealth.org)
- TeamBirth - Shared Decision-Making in Hospital Births
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Purpose: TeamBirth is a quality improvement initiative to increase shared decision making and amplify the birthing person’s voice in hospital births.
Program contact: Jenica Sandall (wsha.org)
Resources: TeamBirth - Washington State Hospital Association (wsha.org)
Community and Patient Engagement
- Birth Equity Project
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Purpose: Birth Equity Project grantee programs work to address the racism experienced by Black/African American, African immigrant, and American Indian/Alaska Native communities and ensure that everyone has a better chance at a safe and healthy birth.
Program contact: Caroline Sedano
Resources: Birth Equity Project (WaPortal.org)
- Community Behavioral Health Grants
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Purpose: Fund five community organizations to implement programs related to the MMRPs recommendation to, “Increase knowledge and skill of providers, patients, and families about behavioral health conditions during and after pregnancy, and the treatment and resources that are available for support”.
Program contact: Tiffany Tibbs Christensen
- MMRP Across Washington
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Purpose: Provides information and listens to the voices of communities most impacted by maternal mortality
Program contact: Ian Bennett
Resources: MMRP Across Washington | Healthier Washington Collaboration Portal (waportal.org)
- Tribal Listening Sessions
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Purpose: Convene listening sessions focused on the health of Native pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people with American Indian and Alaska Native community members and Tribal Health partners
Program contact: Tiffany Tibbs Christensen
Resources: Washington State Maternal Mortality Review Panel: Maternal Deaths 2017-2020
Infant Care
- Donor Milk
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Purpose: In 2022, the Washington Legislature passed E2SSB 5702, a law requiring health plans and Medicaid to cover the cost of donor human milk for babies in the hospital. WSPC is working to improve access to donor human milk for babies who need it.
Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein
Resources: Lactation, Breastfeeding & Chestfeeding | Lactation and Infant Feeding-Friendly Environments (LIFE) | RCW 43.70.645
- Safe Haven Workgroup
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Purpose: In Washington, a parent may anonymously hand over their unharmed newborn within 72 hours of birth, without fear of criminal liability, at any hospital, staffed fire station, or staffed rural health clinic. In 2022, WSPC and partner organizations created a workgroup to strengthen Washington’s Safe Haven law, improve implementation, and increase public and professional awareness. Mounting a Safe Haven sign with accurate information, including the phone number, could save the life of a vulnerable newborn. You can order new signs through the National Safe Haven Alliance.
Program contact: Bat-Sheva Stein
Resources: Legislation | Signage (National Safe Haven Alliance) | Safe Haven Request Form | Information Card | Pregnancy Resources | Safe Haven Partner Announcement (PDF)
- Stillbirth Prevention (2023 – Current)
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Purpose: Washington State Department of Health received funding for fiscal year 2024 from the legislature for a stillbirth prevention campaign. This campaign will provide materials on evidence-based strategies to reduce the incidence of stillbirth (fetal death after 20 weeks gestation) in Washington state.
Program contact: Caroline Sedano
Resources: Stillbirth Awareness | Stillbirth: A Health Professional’s Role
Systems Change (Legislature)
- Doula Certification and Reimbursement
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Purpose: Washington laws signed in 2020 and 2022 require Medicaid reimbursement for birth doula services and provide a framework for a voluntary doula certification process.
Program contact: Kathy Weed
Resources: Birth Doulas | Washington Laws for Doulas – The Doula Law Project (childbirthlibrary.org)