The Health, Medicine and Society (HMS) program and Ascend, policy programs at the Aspen Institute based in Washington, DC, are undertaking a two-phase initiative to develop and implement a comprehensive standard of care for the perinatal period (defined as prenatal care through 12-months post-partum). The goal of the initiative is to establish a standard of care designed both to achieve an “
optimal outcome for all” yet be implemented based on the needs of specific populations, especially those most marginalized. Although attempts have been made to do pieces of this work (e.g., standards for prenatal care or the post-partum period), no such all-inclusive standard currently exists for the pregnant and parenting person and their baby as the focus.
Phase I of the project is structured to gather and provide background information to set the stage for developing the comprehensive standard of care (Phase II). A key component of Phase I is a landscape analysis of data, research, insights, and lessons learned around a set of questions that will inform this work. We are seeking a skilled consultant to lead this landscape analysis with a focus on a literature review that explores the following key questions:
● What are mothers, birthing people, and families currently experiencing during the perinatal period
that is either effective or ineffective in helping to ensure an optimal outcome? How do families
define the optimal perinatal experience?
● Who are the key leaders and organizations advancing or supporting comprehensive perinatal
standards? What gaps, if any, do they see that need to be addressed?
● Which organizations -- both clinical and non-clinical, established and grassroots -- need to be part
of an advisory group or landscaping process to ensure not only that their insights are captured, but
also their full engagement and support early on?
● Beyond those with lived experience and expertise in the field, who should be at the convening table
to develop the comprehensive standard of care? How can we engage and integrate both clinical and
non-clinical leaders in this effort?
● What is the process for developing a comprehensive standard of care? What is the ideal starting
point? Are there successful models to learn from? What existing polling and focus group data can
be leveraged to inform this process?
Deliverable: “State-of-the-field” analysis and literature review of the perinatal period in US -- as
defined for the project -- including the challenges and opportunities regarding both traditionally-based clinical care and non-traditional services outside the medical establishment. (A global perspective of such care will be included as part of the agenda for Phase II.)
Timeline: Contracted period will run from approximately April - July, 2025 (approximately three
months). The landscape analysis will inform subsequent components of this project, including a final
work plan for Phase II.
We will review proposals on a rolling basis.
Project Budget:
● $30,000
Request format: We invite you to submit a short proposal not to exceed three pages including:
● Biography;
● Overview of experience conducting landscape analysis and literature review, including links to
two work products;
● Description of approach/methodology you take when approaching landscape analysis projects;
● Background on experience with or knowledge of perinatal time period and field, including
medical and non-medical contexts.
● What supports, if any, do you anticipate needing from the Aspen Institute for the project to be
successful.
Please send your proposal to perinatalstrategy@aspeninstitute.org with the subject line:
LAST NAME Proposal | Landscape Analysis