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We Are Ampersand
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Our Vision
To provide curriculum based training, counseling, and therapeutic care for those affected by pregnancy and infant loss in less resourced, high burden, and vulnerable communities.
Our Mission
To promote quality bereavement and trauma care when the sacred connection between mother and baby is broken.
Most health organizations focus on preventing miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death but often do not have a response plan for when deaths occur. As a result, these organizations are ill equipped to provide quality trauma and bereavement care in order to comprehensively serve the needs of mothers and families.
Ampersand International (A.I.) aspires to fill this gap and provide culturally sensitive training and resources for hospitals, clinics, government and non-government organizations, faith groups and nonprofits. Its goal is to ensure staff and volunteers are educated and well-equipped to provide empathetic acute maternal care to bereaved mothers and quality bereavement follow-up. In doing so, A.I. is uniquely positioned to provide accessible, impactful care to grieving families worldwide.
Our manual includes a step by step plan for creating a quality bereavement program that allows for a range of cultural considerations and resource accessibility. Data and statistics are presented to support the needs for bereavement care, especially in areas of the world that are affected most significantly by perinatal death. Important components of a quality bereavement care program are presented including Establishing a Care Team, Gathering Resources and Supplies, Creating a Network, Providing Acute Care, and Providing Follow Up Care. Lastly, an extensive appendix of resources supports the implementation.