Black Mothers Chronic Illness & Institutional Navigation Initiative (BM-CIINI)
Goal: To improve equitable access to healthcare, employment protections, and social supports for Black mothers living with chronic illness or comorbidity by strengthening their capacity to navigate institutions and by addressing systemic barriers through research, education, and advocacy.
Black Mothers Chronic Illness & Institutional Navigation Initiative (BM-CIINI)
Goal:To improve equitable access to healthcare, employment protections, and social supports for Black mothers living with chronic illness or comorbidity by strengthening their capacity to navigate institutions and by addressing systemic barriers through research, education, and advocacy.
The Black Mothers Chronic Illness & Institutional Navigation Initiative focuses on improving equitable access to healthcare, employment protections, and social supports for Black mothers living with chronic illness or comorbidity. By combining research, educational tools, systems analysis, and advocacy, the initiative helps address both immediate navigation challenges and the deeper structural barriers that shape health inequities.
Input (Resources)
- Charis-Chara leadership and governance
- Partnerships with:
- Community health centres
- Black-led organizations
- Legal clinics (employment, human rights)
- Researchers (health equity, social policy)
- Lived-experience group (Black mothers)
- Funding (grants, donors)
- Digital platforms (website, knowledge hub)
- Policy and systems navigation expertise
Activities
- Knowledge Production & Research
- Conduct qualitative research (interviews, focus groups)
- Document lived experiences of Black mothers with chronic illnesses or comorbidities
- Map institutional barriers (healthcare, employment, education, insurance, social assistance)
B. Systems Navigation Tools
- Develop plain-language guides on:
- Accessing medications or naturopathic medicine (e.g., public drug programs like Trillium or clinical nutrition and botanical medicine)
- Understanding medical requisitions and referrals
- Navigating workplace accommodations and sick leave
- Create decision-making tools (e.g., “What to do if you lose employer benefits”)
C. Institutional Analysis
- Assess how services are delivered (wait times, referral pathways, eligibility)
- Identify gaps in culturally responsive care
- Examine policy barriers (e.g., drug coverage eligibility thresholds)
D. Education & Capacity Building
- Workshops/webinars for Black mothers:
- Navigating healthcare systems
- Financial survival strategies with chronic illness
- Anti-Black racism in chronic illness care
- Discussions with caregivers and family members
- Improving access pathways
E. Advocacy & Knowledge Mobilization
- Policy briefs and reports
- Public awareness campaigns
- Stakeholder engagement (health systems, employers, education, insurers)
Outputs (Direct Products)
- Research reports and policy briefs
- Lived-experience case studies
- Systems navigation toolkits
- Workshops delivered (# of sessions, participants)
- Institutional assessment reports
- Online knowledge hub content
Short-Term Outcomes (0–1 year)
For Black Mothers:
- Increased awareness of available services and rights
- Improved understanding of:
- Medication coverage options
- Employment protections
- Increased confidence in navigating institutions
For Institutions:
- Increased awareness of systemic barriers
- Initial engagement with Charis-Chara resources
Intermediate Outcomes (1–3 years)
For Black Mothers:
- Improved access to medications and diagnostic testing
- Increased use of appropriate services (healthcare, financial supports)
- Reduced delays in care due to navigation barriers
For Systems:
- Adoption of more accessible service delivery practices
- Improved coordination between healthcare and social systems
- Greater inclusion of Black mothers’ lived experiences in program design
Long-Term Outcomes (3–5+ years)
- Reduced health inequities among Black mothers with chronic illness or comorbidity
- Improved health and mental health outcomes
- Increased economic stability (less disruption due to illness)
- Structural changes in:
- Drug coverage policies, support, and resources
- Employment protections for precarious workers
- Healthcare delivery models
Key Indicators (Evaluation Framework)
Access & Navigation
- Percent of participants who successfully access medication coverage
- Time from symptom onset to diagnosis and treatment
- Number of barriers reported pre/post intervention
Financial Impact
- Out-of-pocket healthcare costs (self-reported)
- Employment disruptions due to illness
Knowledge & Empowerment
- Self-reported confidence in navigating dynamic healthcare systems
- Use of Charis-Chara tools/resources
Systems Change
- Policy changes influenced
- Institutional partnerships formed
- Service delivery improvements documented
Equity Lens (Critical Component)
This model is grounded in:
- Anti-Black racism analysis
- Intersectionality (race, gender, health status, class)
- Recognition of Black mothers as knowledge producers, not just service users
Program Design Boundary
To maintain focus and sustainability, this program:
- Does NOT provide one-on-one navigation support
- Focuses on tools, education, and systemic change
- Directs participants to existing service providers
Our Impact