The Cross-Center Collaboration on the Health of Justice-Involved Women and Children

What do we do?

Between 2020-2025, we’ve committed to carrying out the following activities at the intersection of incarceration and MCH: 

  • Conducting research-related activities
  • Exploring policy opportunities
  • Providing training and technical assistance; and 
  • Building networks across CoE and Catalyst programs on cross-cutting issues and topics.

We foster cross-center communication to deepen our collaboration and connections through regular calls.

What are we working on?

The collaborative is undertaking the following activities:

  • A monthly newsletter that features timely research, resources, events, and community spotlights at the intersection of incarceration, pregnancy and parenting
  • A state and federal policy clearinghouse of laws and policies relevant to pregnant and postpartum people
  • Policy briefs on incarceration policies
  • Quarterly national network calls for practice-based experts (such as doulas from prison doula programs) 
  • Public webinars showcasing public health professionals working with justice-involved populations
  • Collection and sharing of syllabi from MCH- and criminal justice-relevant courses taught by CoE faculty 
  • A web-based learning module that summarizes key issues

How are we partnering with community organizations, doula programs and others?

The collaborative provides training, technical assistance and assistance working on “products” (briefs, reports, videos, etc.) for practitioners working with JIWC.

How are students getting involved?

Students affiliated with our MCHB-funded CoEs or Catalyst programs are integral to carrying out collaborative activities. Students participate in calls, are involved in all our efforts and receive formal and informal mentoring and coaching.