Community collaboration to reduce infant mortality in New York City: A citywide evaluation process

Background: In 2000, a unique collaboration to address the highly disparate infant mortality rates in several New York City economically challenged, minority communities was developed. The Citywide Coalition to End Infant Mortality, a group of 35 agencies, advocated for and received funding from the New York City Council for an Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative (IMRI) Project through the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to implement four core interventions, -- outreach, referrals, health education workshops, case management, and regional coalitions. From 2006 to present, a collaborative citywide evaluation process was implemented by the Federation of County Networks, the NYCDOHMH, and five regional perinatal coordinating agencies. Methods: Collaborative working groups were convened comprised of FCN, DOHMH and IMRI-funded agencies to: review, revise and standardize data collection forms; develop core intervention best practices; provide input to training materials, and pilot data collection forms. Evaluation work group was convened to: develop citywide evaluation framework; identify and hire evaluation consultant firm for citywide evaluation; and develop roles and responsibilities for evaluation oversight committee members. Results: Revised standardized data collection forms for core interventions were implemented and data collected from 35 agencies in 2009-2010. Fourteen training sessions have been conducted for 215 staff members in core interventions, evaluation and CQI/Quality Assurance. Evaluation impact surveys indicate that agency data and evaluation process have changed. Conclusions: Collaboration between community-based organizations and a city health department can be effective in developing and implementing a citywide evaluation process. This model can be utilized for other community interventions.