UPNSS
Universal Postpartum and Newborn Support Systems (UPNSS)
Feasability Assesment for South Suburban Cook
Universal postpartum and newborn support models focus on strengthening the postpartum experience for all birthing people and families with newborns during the transition from hospital to home and during the early weeks of postpartum and newborn care.
Gifts from Liam and L.E.G.A.C.Y. are conducting a feasibility assessment to examine whether the Chicago Southland region is ready to implement a UPNSS model.
Universal postpartum and newborn support models focus on strengthening the postpartum experience for all birthing people and families with newborns, from the transition from hospital to home through the early weeks of postpartum and newborn care.
Gifts from Liam and L.E.G.A.C.Y. are conducting a feasibility assessment to examine whether the Chicago Southland* region is ready to implement a UPNSS model.
*Chicago Southland = South Suburban Cook County*
Why the Chicago Southland / South Suburban Cook County Needs Universal Postpartum Support
The Chicago Southland (South Suburban Cook County) is a region marked by deep racial, economic, and maternal-child health disparities. Families here experience some of the highest hardship scores in Suburban Cook County, limited access to maternity care, and significant inequities in postpartum outcomes.
Key regional realities:
- 7,867 births among Southland residents in 2024
- Communities with the highest hardship scores in the county (Riverdale, Robbins, Phoenix, Harvey, Dixmoor, South Chicago Heights)
- Socio-spatial inequalities strongly shape postpartum severe maternal morbidity
- Many families deliver at Chicago hospitals participating in Family Connects Chicago — but Southland residents are not eligible for those postpartum home visits
- Racial segregation and resource gaps create uneven access to postpartum supports
A universal model would ensure every family who gives birth receives support — including:
- Families whose babies go home
- Families whose babies remain hospitalized
- Families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss
- Medicaid-insured families
- Non-English-speaking, undocumented, and mixed-status families
- Families experiencing housing instability
What Universal Support System Models Are
Universal Newborn Support Systems (UNSS) are hospital-connected, community-delivered postpartum support models that offer every birthing person and every family caring for a newborn a nurse home visit shortly after birth.
These visits provide:
- Postpartum health checks
- Infant health and safety assessments
- Mental health screening
- Resource navigation
- Referrals to community supports
These supports are available regardless of birth outcome, ensuring families experiencing loss or medical complexity are not excluded.
Learn more from Start Early: https://www.startearly.org/resource/universal-newborn-support-systems/
Start Early’s Statewide Initiative
Start Early is supporting communities across Illinois to explore readiness for universal postpartum and newborn support. The Chicago Southland/South Suburban Cook County is one of several regions conducting feasibility assessments.
Read more: https://www.startearly.org/post/unss-community-feasibility-assessment-awardees/
Project Activities
The feasibility assessment includes:
- Birth & demographic analysis across 47 ZIP codes
- Maternal-child health gap analysis
- UPNSS capacity and systems assessment
- Stakeholder interviews
- Family voice activities (survey, focus groups, PCAB, convenings)
- Financial feasibility & Medicaid modeling
- Barrier & opportunity analysis (SWOT)
Family voice is central to this work — including the voices of families who have experienced loss, NICU stays, complications, or trauma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What is the UPNSS Feasibility Assessment?
The Universal Postpartum and Newborn Support Systems (UPNSS) Feasibility Assessment for South Suburban Cook County is an eight‑month project led by Gifts from Liam (GFL) and L.E.G.A.C.Y. to determine whether the region is ready to implement a universal postpartum support model.
What area does the project cover?
The assessment covers 47 ZIP codes across 11 townships in South Suburban Cook County.
Who would be eligible for universal postpartum support?
Every birthing person and every family caring for a newborn, regardless of birth outcome.
Why does the Chicago Southland need this?
The region experiences some of the highest maternal and infant health risks in Suburban Cook County.
What will the feasibility assessment examine?
Seven core areas: birth landscape, maternal-child health gaps, system capacity, stakeholder engagement, family voice, financial feasibility, and SWOT analysis.
How can families participate?
Families can join the PCAB, take the survey, join focus groups, and attend convenings.
How can stakeholders participate?
Stakeholders can schedule interviews and attend convenings.
Will families be compensated?
Yes. Families participating in surveys, focus groups, and convenings receive gift card stipends.
What happens after the feasibility assessment?
Findings will be shared publicly in early 2027.
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