The Friendly Access Infant Mortality Initiative (FAIMI) and its African American Family Resource Information Center and Network (AFRICAN) were two initiatives that grew out of the county’s Friendly Access Project.
With the overall goals of lowering infant mortality rates and improving pregnancy outcomes, the two programs sought to improve access to care, help women and children navigate the health system, connect patients with resources, raise awareness, and narrow the racial disparity in infant mortality exhibited by the area’s African American population.
FAIMI analyzed prenatal and perinatal care systems in the county to uncover unmet needs of mothers and infants while initiating a dialogue among various community stakeholders.
To address the gap between what is acknowledged to be good healthcare standards, and what is actually practiced in clinical settings, FAIMI utilized a multi-pronged approach. Efforts prioritized needed system changes, integrated and coordinated existing services to make them more responsive and enhanced cross-referral protocols and care planning.
The overall scope of FAIMI encompassed safe-sleep campaigns, pregnancy risk reduction programs, education efforts, evidence-based medicine protocols, and capacity-building initiatives throughout the county.