Collaborative on Child Homelessness - Illinois (COCHI)
A multi-disciplinary, multi-organizational coalition with the purpose of improving 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 broadly defines housing insecurity to include both those who are literally homeless and those living doubled up.
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.
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.
Addressing the Housing Needs of Young Children and Pregnant Women
The Illinois Legislative Children's Health Caucus Forum
COCHI Presentation on February 3, 2021
Proposal to the Chicago Continuum of Care
The COCHI Proposal
- Prioritize family Rapid Rehousing slots households where someone is pregnant or has delivered an infant within the last 12 months.
- Track in HMIS the number of individuals in Chicago’s homeless service system who are pregnant.
Child Health Risks Webinar
Child Health Risks Associated with Housing Insecurity webinar
This cross-sector housing and health training is for housing case managers, shelter staff, and other support staff working with families experiencing housing insecurity.
The webinar will enable participants to:
- Recognize the importance of well-child check-ups to optimize child health and reduce illness
- Identify risk factors and common health issues for children living in shelters
- Recognize when a child should be seen by their health care provider and what follow-ups are necessary
- Utilize First Steps Pediatric Wellness Assessment Tool to connect families with pediatric care
The presentation covers well-child visits and will address such health issues as asthma, developmental delay, food allergies, poisoning, behavioral health, and infections – including COVID-19.
COCHI Leadership Team
Laura Bass, LCSW, Director of Programs, Facing Forward to End Homelessness
Deanna Behrens, MD, FAAP, Co-Chair, First Steps: Improving Child Health and Housing, Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatric
Andrea M. Chatman, MSM, Director of Homeless Services, The Salvation Army Metro Division
Mary Elsner, JD, Director, Health Equity Initiatives, Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Nancy Heil, MD, FAAP, Co-Chair, First Steps: Improving Child Health and Housing, Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Flora Koppel, MSW, President/CEO, Unity Parenting and Counseling, Inc.
Tamela D. Milan-Alexander, MPPA, Coordinator, Access Westside Healthy Start Community Action Network, Access Community Health Network
Susan Reyna-Guerrero, LCSW, Start Early, Homeless Project Consultant; Chief Program Officer, Children’s Place Association
The Collaborative is facilitated by the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. For further information about the Collaborative, please contact Mary Elsner, Director, Health Equity Initiatives at melsner@illinoisaap.com.