In May 1992, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) solicited proposals for lead agencies for each of the established perinatal regions. The perinatal regions were crafted based upon neonatal transport patterns. The councils are administered through contracts and are managed by the state Perinatal Nurse Consultant.
These councils make up a statewide network of public/private partnerships that assess the needs of infants and women of reproductive age. Their purpose is to coordinate community health care systems that serve women and infant and develop improved solutions to achieve healthier infant outcomes. Some individuals and organizations that participate in these efforts include parents, health professionals, medical school faculty, health and human service organizations, religious groups, businesses, schools and community leaders. The RPCs provide outreach from the lead agency to the community and encourage consumer participation in actions to advocate and improve perinatal health care. The RPCs are responsible for the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program (FIMR) and for perinatal outreach education for professionals.
FIMR is a collaborative project between the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The Virginia FIMR is based upon the national model and has been administered by the RPCs since 1996. It is a community-based program that collects data and analyzes infant deaths and birth defects to identify common causes or precipitating factors. FIMR collects data from medical records and mother interviews on selected cases. The knowledge gained helps the state improve programs and systems of care for mothers and babies. It also can help communities create local solutions to the problems of infant mortality and morbidity by identifying a lack of services or an opportunity for cooperation among existing programs.
By utilizing the findings and insights gained through FIMR, the RPCs develop workplans to address the identified perinatal issues for their regions. Grants and other funding sources are sought to implement the local projects as developed by these local coalitions. Perinatal educational activities are planned as determined by the learning needs assessed through FIMR and yearly provider surveys. Basic funding has continued from VDH.
Division of Women's and Infants' Health
109 Governor St. 8th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact Kathleen Moline, Kathleen.Moline@vdh.virginia.gov
804-864-7767
