RESOLUTION

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO,

STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESOLUTION HONORING

THE PRENATAL ADVANTAGE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROJECT TO COMMEMORATE FIFTEEN YEARS OF SERVICE IN SAN MATEO COUNTY

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WHEREAS, the high rate of African-American infant mortality was recognized by the State of California and the County of San Mateo as a deeply concerning public health problem in 1991; and

WHEREAS, the San Mateo County Health Department initiated the Prenatal Advantage Black Infant Health Project in 1992 with California Department of Health Services and County funding to provide culturally appropriate, community-based health services to African-American families to reduce infant mortality; and

WHEREAS, the Prenatal Advantage Black Infant Health Project has expanded over the 15 years to include eight staff providing culturally appropriate social support and health education, case management by a public health nurse or community program specialist, and case management for fathers; and

WHEREAS, the project has provided intensive, comprehensive, long-term services to an average of over 200 African-American mothers and fathers each year for the last several years, as well as the infants and children of these parents; and

WHEREAS, during the last 15 years the Prenatal Advantage Black Infant Health Project has contributed to the greater than 50% reduction in the San Mateo County infant mortality rate, from 17.0 per 1,000 births in 1991-1995 to 7.8 per 1,000 births in 2000-2004; and

WHEREAS, San Mateo County has experienced 11 fewer African -American infant deaths in the period 2000-2004 than would have been lost if the rate had remained at the 1991-1995 level; and

WHEREAS, the project’s vision of service delivery, cultural competence, and community empowerment influenced and served as a positive model in the development of other collaborative services in the county, especially the Prenatal- to -Three Initiative; and

WHEREAS, the Prenatal Advantage Black Infant Health Project’s 15^th Anniversary Celebration “A Healthy Start for Babies, Mothers & Fathers” will honor current and former clients, providers and the community on Saturday, September 15, 2007.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, hereby honors and commends the Prenatal Advantage Black Infant Health Project On The Occasion of Its Fifteenth Anniversary and, further, commends those who are working to decrease African-American infant mortality in San Mateo County and California.

Dated: September 15, 2007

SUPERVISORS:

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ROSE JACOBS GIBSON, PRESIDENT

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MARK CHURCH

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RICHARD S. GORDON

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JERRY HILL

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ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors