PETALS History

1994 - 1996

• New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services (DoHSS) & the Northern New Jersey Maternal/Child Health Consortium established a Research Task Force to study maternal/child health issues & infant mortality disparities.

 1996

• Health Commissioner, Len Fishman, appointed a The Blue Ribbon Panel to study Black Infant Mortality in New Jersey.

1997

• "Blue Ribbon Panel Reporton Black Infant Mortality" was published.

1998

• NJDHSS mounted a public and professional awareness campaign called Black Infants, Better Survival .

1999

• Black Infant Mortality Reduction Resource Center was established. 
• BIMRR Center held it's 1st Annual Perinatal Health Disparities Conference, "Infant Mortality: Exploring Racial Disparity" in Newark, NJ.  Dr. David Satcher, Surgeon General, was the keynote speaker.
• Reduce Stress for Baby's Best (RSBB), a stress reduction program for expectant Black women, was developed.  Over 300 women participated  ( funded by the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services.)
  

2000

• BIMRR Center 2nd Annual Conference: "Diverse Cultures, Diverse Needs in MCH"  (Bloomfield, NJ)

2001

• BIMRR Center 3rd Annual Conference:  "A Caucus on BIM and Related Psychosocial Needs" (Newark, NJ)
• Black Infants, Better Survival: Campaign Chronicle published
  

2002

• Generations: A Pregancy Guidebook for women of African Descent, was developed and featured in Essence Magazine. 
• BIMRR Center 4th Annual Conference:  "Unequal Treatment: How to Improve Health Outcomes" (New Brunswick, NJ)

2004 

• BIMRR Center 5th Annual Conference:  "Addressing Inequalities" (Newark, NJ)

2005 

• BIMRR Center 6th Annual Conference:  "Health Disparities: Improving Perinatal Outcomes" (East Brunswick, NJ)
  
• "Open Your Senses" Relaxation Brunch.

2006

• BIMRR Center 7th Annual Conference:  "Changing Perspectives on Perinatal Health Disparities"  (Mount Laurel, NJ)
• RSBB evaluation completed; article published in Journal of Cultural Diversity (Dec. 2006 Issue)
• "There's a Meeting in the Village": A Community Health Worker Training Curriculum (funded by the March of Dimes).
  

2007-Present

• BIMRR Center coordinated "Legislative Day", held at the State Capital Building. (Trenton, NJ)
• BIMRR Center 8th Annual Conference,"Making the Connection: The Health of Black Women".  Honorable Mayor Corey Booker was the keynote speaker and recognized the BIMRR Center.  (Newark, NJ)
• "Ease Your Mind" Relaxation Brunch.
• PETALS (Providing Education through Advocacy Learning Strategies) Program was funded by the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services.  Under this grant, the BIMRR Center is responsible for developing a multi-faceted education program.

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