Beginning in August, the St. Joe Foundation will offer specialized training through the Prenatal & Infant Care Network to help local professionals and caregivers identify "implicit bias" patterns that research indicates is a significant cause in the death of many Black and Hispanic infants and mothers. In 2018, Black infants in northeast Indiana were 2.2 times more likely to die before their first birthday, according to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). Furthermore, ISDH also reported that Black mothers had the highest rate of pregnancy-related mortality at 37.0 deaths per 100,000 live births in Indiana for 2012-2016, compared to the national rate of 16.9.

The training events include local professionals, and Courageous Living co-founders, Janell and Aaron Lane, facilitating a workshop on "Race and Cultural Learning for Care Providers". The Lanes will explore how to best address critical conversations and challenging experiences regarding implicit bias on race. Participation will be limited, with one workshop online and one workshop in-person at a COVID-safe location.

Scholarships to participate in the March of Dimes's “Breaking Through Bias in Maternity Care,“ self-paced, online training will also be provided by the St. Joe Foundation. This training includes statistics and studies, history and stereotypes, strategies, and tool kits to address biases in organizations. Online learning includes learning checks and exercises to educate and inform learners of the two known Maternal and Infant Health stats; deaths are preventable, and everyone has implicit biases.

A preview of these training opportunities will be offered through a webinar on Thursday, August 13 at 11:30 AM. Arianne Graham, Senior Director, Business Production and Development, for March of Dimes, and Janell Lane, co-Founder of Courageous Living, will each provide an overview of their training events to assist individuals in identifying appropriate training.

Join the PIC Network Newsletter list or check the website for more details on these training events.

Hable con un abogado de inmigración

The St. Joe Foundation is proud to partner with the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic (NCLC). The St. Joe Foundation recommends these great educational opportunities hosted by NCLC on Tuesdays and Thursdays for people who have questions for an attorney. NCLC is Live on Facebook every Tuesday and Thursday, at 5:00 PM EDT. Like their Facebook page to receive notifications when they go live!

Five Our HEALing Kitchen Grantees

The Our HEALing Kitchen cooking and nutrition classes will be continued at five sites this summer, after they creatively identified COVID-safe strategies to offer the programs. These sites are:

Laura Dwire, Community Programs Manager of the St. Joe Foundation, advised the program will be offered in a variety of delivery methods to determine what are most effective, what safety precautions are needed, and how the HEAL Coalition can assist and improve the classes for Fall grantees. Classes can be taught by video, live, or remotely. If classes are live, 6' spacing is required, as well as individual work stations. 

Valerie Magana, Director of Grant Administration and Implementation at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne shared, “The kids still love the class even though it is a little different. The members all wear masks and gloves. They are socially distanced during the class, and only a couple of members are in the kitchen at a time, and then they rotate." 

HEAL Markets are open through September and double the value of WIC and Senior Produce Vouchers and SNAP purchases. Wear a mask and follow social distancing instructions.

The St. Joe Foundation is again seeking proposals to improve the health and wellness of low-income, vulnerable populations in Allen County. Grant applications must advance the vision of the St. Joe Foundation in one of the four key impact areas: pregnant women and infants; refugees and immigrants; those struggling with access to affordable, nutritious food; and access to quality, affordable healthcare for unresourced populations in Allen County. Grant applicants are encouraged to become acquainted with the impact areas by visiting the website or clicking below on "What We Fund". Ideas can also be discussed with Foundation staff to affirm compatibility. The fall application deadline is September 1, 2020.

As of July 14^th, 2020 Fort Wayne’s Response Rate was 67.6%.

Complete your Census form at: 2020census.gov

 A ministry sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

Contact | Prenatal & Infant | HEAL  | Grants