MEAC is the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council. MEAC promotes excellence in midwifery education by supporting and accrediting midwifery schools around the country that prepare midwives for national certification as CPMs. MEAC is doing exciting, groundbreaking, and vital work for our midwifery movement. Just this month, the Milbank Memorial Fund, a non-partisan institute devoted to health policy analysis, issued a new report titled, “Evidence-Based Maternity Care: What It Is and What It Can Achieve”. The report cites data from the landmark study of CPMs published in 2005 and concludes:
The low CPM rates of intervention are benchmarks for what the majority of childbearing women and babies who are in good health might achieve.
MEAC currently accredits eight free-standing institutions and two programs that reside within universities, providing excellent midwifery education for more than 500 matriculating students.
Why does MEAC need our help now?
This year, the U. S. Secretary of Education deferred a decision to extend recognition of MEAC, requesting that MEAC provide evidence of a stronger financial and volunteer base. It is ESSENTIAL that MEAC satisfies the requirements to continue its recognition by the USED. This appeal to you hopes to accomplish two things:
1. Increase the capacity of MEAC’s Reserve Fund to cover one year’s operating budget ($120,000).
2. Demonstrate to the USED that MEAC has a strong base of support that can be called upon to respond swiftly and effectively in a time of need.
Please help us in this one-time capital campaign. We have come so far in the last decade. We can’t let it slip away. Your support is crucial and so much appreciated at this time! Please give generously. Large donations of $500-$1,000 will provide significant support. Smaller donations will help, step-by-step, to achieve this goal. We can do this together- it is an investment in our future!
Sincerely Yours,
The Leadership of the Allied Midwifery Organizations
*Donations to MEAC are tax deductible! Make checks payable to MEAC, POB 984, LaConner, WA 98257, www.meacschools.org
Chicago Community Midwives welcomes Karen Strange CPM to Chicago for her extraordinary Neonatal Resuscitation workshop
Join Karen Strange, Midwife and Neonatal Resuscitation Program Instructor, for a full-day Neonatal Resuscitation Course as she:
Incorporates the Midwifery Model of Care into Neonatal Resuscitation
Combines skill requirements with cutting edge information and pre- and peri-natal psychology research.
Recognizes and supports the conscious and aware newborn during transitions of birth
Clarifies Neonatal transitional physiology and the normal transitions of birth.
Realizes the relationship between physiology, psychology, and the hormones of birth.
Thoroughly integrates NRP steps into practice within an out-of- hospital setting.
Expand your knowledge with current evidence-based research.
Teaches you “Simple Tools” to help you help babies integrate their journey.
Fulfills or renews AAP/AHA NRP course of completion (you get the card).
Discusses, discovers, challenges and collaborates!
These classes are specifically designed and taught for out-of-hospital settings. Also suitable for MDs, EMT’s, CNM’s, CM’s, PA’s, CPM’s, DEM’s, RN’s, doulas, childbirth educators, students, apprentices, helpers–and anyone who may be present at a birth.
LEARN TO FEEL COMFORTABLE USING YOUR EQUIPMENT!
LEARN THE COUNTS IN AN EASY-TO-RECALL MANNER!
LEARN TO LEAVE YOUR FEAR BEHIND!
YOU WILL LOVE THIS CLASS WHEN YOU ARE DONE!
Come earn your Neonatal Resuscitation certification at this extraordinary workshop.
Karen Strange CPM practiced as Midwife and Clinical Director at Maternidad La Luz a high-volume birth center and midwifery school on the US/Mexico border. Later she had a small homebirth practice in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She served on the Texas Department of Health Midwifery Board and as chairperson of the Complaint Review Process Committee for six and half years. She has been an instructor for Neonatal Resuscitation (AAP/NRP) since 1991, tailoring her style for those who work in the out-of-hospital setting. Karen is an advocate for the conscious and aware prenate. Her courses uniquely shed light into the world of what babies truly experience in their journey to be born. She shares her “Simple Tools” to help babies integrate what goes on for them prenatally, in labor, birth, in the postpartum and even later on in life.
She shares her wealth of up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge in each session she teaches.
CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED SO REGISTER TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!
New Attendees
(those new to Karen’s class):$195.00
Previous Attendees
(have taken Karen’s class before):$185.00
Class Location:
North side of Chicago
Sponsored by the Chicago Community Midwives
Directions sent upon received deposit and registration
Send Checks to Class Sponsor:
Chicago Community Midwives
* Incl. materials (NOT the NRP book), handouts, and AAP/AHA NRP card.
* Course approved by MEAC for 8 Contact Hours.
* A deposit of $85 is due at time of registration; the balance will be collected on the morning of the course.
* A full refund will be returned if you cancel due to a birth, illness or death. You must call before the start of class! Otherwise, a $50.00 course fee will be charged!
* Please bring a brown bag lunch for yourself or $ to order in sandwiches; there will be no time to leave the workshop to find lunch on your own, so please plan accordingly.
* You MUST be on-time to class or the class will end later in the day.
REQUIRED READING IN ADVANCE OF WORKSHOP: Ahead of time, all participants MUST read the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation 5th Edition 2006 which comes with a CD-ROM. The book is available from Amazon.com and expedited/ next day or 2 day shipping is available: http://www.amazon.com/Textbook-Neonatal-Resuscitation/dp/1581101872/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220537939&sr=8-1
Chapters 1 through 4 and 9 MUST be read before the class. If you need to be tested for medications and intubations, you must also read Chapters 5 & 6. Then I need to be informed that you need this in order to bring those tests and dolls to the class. To Register Online:
Please cut and paste the following Registration Form into e-mail. Fill it out with your information and e-mail to jacqued(at)chicagocommunitymidwives(dot)org .
Then, please make your deposit payment through PayPal. Visit the PayPal website and send a payment directly to Karen Strange at Karenmidwife@mac.com . Then, send Jacque an e-mail confirming payment (copy of e-mail receipt with personal information blocked out) to reserve your space.
To register through the mail:
Please print and fill out the following registration form. Mail it to the above address with a check for $85 made out to Karen Strange. Class size is limited and space is reserved when payment is received, so please send in your registration today!
Please e-mail the Chicago Community Midwives with any questions, jacque(at)chicagocommunitymidwives(dot)org.
Thank you and we’re looking forward to seeing you on the 17th!
Come join us for our new Homebirth and Midwifery MeetUp group! We get together the 3rd Tuesday of every month in Grayslake/Libertyville, in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Come chat with other parents and gentle birth professionals and learn about compelling issues in homebirth and midwifery from the perspective of the midwives model of care, homebirth and breastfeeding. Our MeetUp is a free program, sponsored by Chicago Community Midwives. Where:
Panera Bread on Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville, across from Condell Hospital
When:
7-8pm, 3rd Tuesday evening of every month
Breastfeeding moms and nurslings and peaceful little ones are always welcome!
Dinner, dessert and drinks available. Topics:
November 2007: Doulas at Homebirth
2008:
January: Waterbirth
February 19: Dealing with Criticism and Getting Support for Your Homebirth Plans (an open discussion)
March 18: The Politics of Homebirth (understanding the legal and political issues involved with homebirth in Illinois)
April 15: Siblings and Children at Birth
May 20: Herbs for a Healthy Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum
June 17: Ask the Midwife: An Open Q&A Forum with homebirth CNM Debbie Boucher
July 15: Peace on Earth Begins with Birth: Homebirth Can Change the World August 19: Optimal Fetal Positioning: Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy Wellness
September 16: Insurance, Money and Homebirth
October 21: Homebirth Dads
November 18: Protecting your Pelvic Floor
December 16: Joyful Homebirth Stories Please sign up at our MeetUp site to RSVP, see topics for 2009, get updates (and to be informed in case of birth-related cancellation) and connect with other group members. http://homebirth.meetup.com/308
Questions? E-mail us at info (at) chicagocommunitymidwives (dot) org
We are thrilled to announce that Chicago Community Midwives’ advocacy efforts have paid off and in response to our request, Governor Blagojevich has issued a Proclamation honoring the Founders of La Leche League and declaring July 16-23rd La Leche League International Week! Congratulations La Leche League and congratualtions to each and every one of the incredible women who founded La Leche League 50 years ago.
CCM and La Leche League’s Gala to Honor the Founders was an incredible success and we would like to thank everyone who came together to share in this wonderful event!
Here is the text of the Governor’s Proclamation:
WHEREAS, La Leche League International, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to the promotion and support of breastfeeding
and recognized as a world authority on breastfeeding, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary;
WHEREAS, La Leche League International, founded and
incorporated in the state of Illinois, has spread to all 50 states and has a presence in over 75 other countries worldwide;
WHEREAS, The health and well being of mothers and babies in
Illinois have been greatly improved because of the efforts of La Leche League International for the past 50 years;
WHEREAS, Six of the organization’s seven Founders are
life long residents of Illinois: Marian Tompson, Mary White, Viola
Lennon, Edwina Froehlich, Mary Ann Cahill, and Betty Wagner Spandikow;
WHEREAS, Breastfeeding has been endorsed worldwide by health
professional organizations, governmental health ministries and departments and international agencies as the optimal infant feeding method;
WHEREAS, The LLLI Founders and La Leche League International are deserving of recognition for their dedication and achievements in educating and supporting parents and professionals in every aspect of breastfeeding;
WHEREAS, The La Leche League International 50th Anniversary will be celebrated at a number of events in Chicago during the month of July, 2007;
THEREFORE, I, Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim
July 16 to 23 as La Leche League International Week in Illinois in recognition of the seven LLLI Founders -Mary White, Marian Tompson, Edwina Froehlich, Viola Lennon, Betty Wagner Spandikow, Mary Ann Cahill, and Mary Ann Kerwin, for 50 years of dedicated service to mothers and babies.
So go on out there and celebrate La Leche League International Week! Attend the LLLI 50th Anniversary Conference taking place this week here in Chicago. Make an automatic monthly donation to Chicago Community Midwives to support local gentle birth and breastfeeding education and advocacy. And nurse your baby in public! What better way to celebrate the incredible benefits of breastfeeding for baby, for mama and for the health and well-being of us all.
Happy La Leche League International Week, Everyone!
Innovative grassroots programs. Evidence-based professional education. Empowering, peer to peer public education. This is what sets Chicago Community Midwives apart.
Deeply rooted in our mission of educating the public and professionals about the midwives model of care, out of hospital birth and breastfeeding, Chicago Community Midwives strives to improve the lives and health of mothers and babies. What could be more precious and more critically important?
These classes are specifically designed and taught for out-of-hospital settings. Also suitable for MDs, EMT’s, CNM’s, CM’s, PA’s, CPM’s, DEM’s, RN’s, doulas, childbirth educators, students, apprentices, helpers–and anyone who may be present at a birth.