Collaborative on Child Homelessness - Illinois (COCHI)
Collaborative on Child Homelessness - Illinois (COCHI)
ICAAP, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments, is committed to helping pediatric professionals implement immunization best practices in clinical and hospital settings. We offer CME/CE approved education to public health providers, university hospitals and clinics, medical universities, and nursing and medical assistant programs through materials, webinars, live events, and e-learning opportunities.
Our Vision and Mission
VISION
Stable housing will be within the reach of all families, providing children and pregnant persons a foundation for optimal health.
MISSION
To improve health outcomes for young children, families, and pregnant persons experiencing housing insecurity by increasing capacity and fair access to housing through a deliberate racial equity and justice lens.
The Collaborative is focused on children birth to six and pregnant persons based on the developmental vulnerabilities of the child as demonstrated by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) studies.
Our Goals
- Prevent and end child homelessness and housing instability.
- Foster collaboration to improve system coordination and integration among healthcare, early childhood, education, and housing sectors.
- Ensure that public policies recognize both the vulnerability of pregnant individuals and infants in the womb to negative health outcomes, including preventable death, and that young children are at immediate and lifelong health risks due to housing insecurity.
- Increase affordable housing capacity for families in extremely low-income households.
- Address systemic racism by equitably expanding access to affordable housing for families in low-income households.
Join COCHI
To join the Collaborative as an organization or individual, please complete this short form. Note: Organizational and individual members are approved pro forma, and membership is free.
COCHI Quarterly Meetings
National models and local impacts affecting access to stable housing for pregnant persons and young children
Families with children comprise more than one-third of the overall homeless population nationwide and in Chicago. Approximately 1 in 30 children may be impacted every year by housing insecurity. Babies and toddlers are the age groups in the United States at the greatest risk of eviction. Infants are more likely than any other age group to stay in shelters. We encourage you to explore the webinars and presentations below to better address need among young children and pregnant persons.
Preventing Family Separation and Improving Access to Stable Housing for Justice-involved Women
February 28, 2024
Emma Anselin, MD, MPH, FAAP, ICAAP Housing Committee Chair
Bethany B. Little, WIN Recovery
Michelle, Lived Experience Expert
Gail Smith, JD, Children's Best Interest Project
Meeting Pregnant Persons' Housing Needs: Integrating Diversion into Maternity Support Services and Infant Case Management
April 19, 2023
Kalyn Yasutake, MPH
Megan Veith, JD, Building Changes
Mitigating Housing Insecurity Health Risks for Pregnant Persons and Newborns in Chicago’s CES
December 1, 2021
Retired Pediatrician Nancy Heil, MD, FAAP, Co-Chair, First Steps: Improving Child Health and Housing of the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Stacie Geller, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator from I PROMOTE-IL
Watch the Presentation Download the Slides
ICAAP Educational Webinars for Housing Providers
Child Health Risks & Healthcare Navigation Webinars
This cross-sector housing and health training is for housing case managers, shelter staff, and other support staff working with families experiencing housing insecurity.
Navigation of the Healthcare System and Pediatric Primary Care
Julie Nelson, MPH Corporation for Supportive Housing
Navigation of the Healthcare System and Pediatric Primary Care
Julie Nelson, MPH Corporation for Supportive Housing
COCHI Leadership Team
The Collaborative is facilitated by the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. For further information about the Collaborative, please contact Abby Creek, Senior Manager, Health Equity Initiatives at acreek@illinoisaap.com.