Regional Perinatal Councils

People United to Make a Difference

Since 1992, the Regional Perinatal Councils (RPC) make up a statewide network of public/private partnerships that assess the needs of infants and women of reproductive age. Their purpose is to conduct Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program (FIMR).  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 at the direction of the community and encourage consumer participation in actions to advocate and improve perinatal health care.

FIMR is a collaborative project between the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The Virginia FIMR model 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 maternal interviews and medical records. The knowledge gained helps the state improve programs and systems of care for mothers and babies. It also helps 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. Basic funding has continued from VDH.

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