For agencies


Smoking makes babies weak, sick and die. It is the single most significant insult to their wellbeing and survival.
  Engagement

During March 2011 every agency in Counties Manukau  will be approached and introduced to the Te Awatea smokefree pregnancy support service. This engagement process is being led by Otara Health supported by Maori SIDS and TAHA Well Pacific Mother and Infant services. Presentations and associated literature describe the service and how it is structured to be:
  • collaborative - participation will extend across the region with 10 champion agencies putting forward a representative to provide promotion and education sessions to peers
  • complimentary - there are more than 3000 smoke-exposed pregnancies per year in Counties Manukau. While there are both pregnancy specific and general cessation services established in the region, the new service has the capacity for an extra 200 pregnant women referrals to the intensive support arm. There is room for all.
  • coordinated - the team of 10 providers will form a 'Link Team' to link agencies for coordinated action. They will be prepared to deliver promotional and educational sessions to 500 providers per year. In this way the region will be primed for brief interventions, as well as for referral for more intensive support as approprate.
Statements of commitment

Agencies will be invited to declare their commitment to pursuing smokfree pregnancies within the day to day operations of their services by signing a 'statement of commitment' for their agency. Template available here.

Hui

The engagement process will close with a hui at which the roles, responsibilities, expectations and standards will be discussed and clarified and details of service delivery explained.