In 1991, the City of New Orleans was ranked 6th in the nation for infant mortality, with 18 infant deaths for every 1,000 births. As a result, the City of New Orleans Health Department created the Great Expectations Program to address the problem of infant mortality, the death of an infant in its first year of life. Since that time, Healthy Start, a program of the Federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau, funded the program as a demonstration and mentoring project.
In 1995, the leaders of Great Expectations’ community based Consortium established the Great Expectations Foundation, Inc. (GEF), a nonprofit 501(c) 3, to ensure continuation of the program beyond the demonstration period. The incorporation of the Foundation demonstrates the important role of Great Expectations in improving the health of women, infants, and families in New Orleans.
Great Expectations Foundation has fiscally managed over $2.5 million annually providing an array of community based, innovative and comprehensive health programs and services that address the target population of mothers, infants, children and families. Specifically, Great Expectations Foundation has addressed issues relating to infant mortality, poor birth outcomes, teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Throughout the years, Great Expectations Foundation has provided valuable services to thousands of individuals, and has seen first hand the positive impact health services is having on this population. Great Expectations Foundation recognizes that each community is different and that the residents are the gate keepers of their community. It is critical that Great Expectations continues to work within communities and with other health officials to develop strategies that respond to clinical, environmental, social and cultural factors that influence lifestyles.
In February 1997, the City of New Orleans entered into a partnership agreement with Great Expectations Foundation to administer the Healthy Start project. The Great Expectations Healthy Start Program addressed the problem of infant mortality in five targeted communities in New Orleans that had the highest infant mortality rates in Orleans Parish. The Health Connect Program also began to ensure health awareness in the community. This community outreach effort targeted the uninsured by enrolling those who qualify in Medicaid and LaCHIP. In 1997, Great Expectations Foundation sought to diversify their service provision in order to continue to meet the needs of the community by expanding its services beyond infant mortality.
In 1998, Great Expectations Foundation received Ryan White Title I funds to provide comprehensive case management services to people infected and affected by HIV. Great Expectations Foundation implemented the SISTA Project in 2000 with funding from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This program provides HIV/AIDS prevention information to African-American women between the ages of 15-39 who engage in risky sexual behavior. In 2003, the Healthy Choices Program was funded by United Way to promote higher lifestyle choices by equipping teens with appropriate tools, personal life skills and opportunities for positive growth and success. Also, in 2003 Great Expectations Foundation was awarded additional funds to provide Mental Health and Early Intervention Services for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Currently Great Expectations Foundation is providing the following services to the community:
- SISTA Project – Provide HIV prevention education to African-American females between the ages of 15-39.
- Healthy Choices – Promotes higher lifestyle choices by equipping teens with appropriate tools, personal life skills and opportunities for positive growth and success.
- Family Circle Health Insurance Assistance – Provides financial assistance for primary medical care co-payments and insurance deductibles and insurance premiums for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
- Family Circle HOPWA – Provides rent/mortgage and utilities assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS.
