our work
case studies
maternal & child health
The Challenge: Assessing March of Dime’s Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait program in reducing the disparity in preterm birth between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites our
Our Solution: Data for this three-year, mixed-methods evaluation was collected through county-level birth data, staff interviews, patient focus groups, and program outcomes. After conducting multiple interviews with administrators, front desk staff, nurses, and other providers, we devised a set of recommendations that the hospitals could use to improve their relationship with women of color and retain them in care.
diversity, equity, & inclusion
The Challenge: ACES has been contracted by Power to Decide, a national non-profit to develop and deliver workshops on racial equity.
Our Solution: Through a combination of didactic learning, open discussion and breakout sessions, the workshops were delivered to eight cross-sectoral teams with a focus on the following learning objectives:
Addressing racism as a public health crisis
Engaging in reproductive wellbeing work with a racial equity lens
Assessing how to engage in conversations with stakeholders about the impact of racial disparities on reproductive health
Examining the role of providers in addressing and dismantling systemic racism
work with us
Our Current Clients Include:
our expertise
Maternal and Child Health Research
Our expertise in maternal and child health is steeped in over 40 years of collective experience. With a focus on addressing pressing maternal and child health problems, such as infant and maternal mortality, the ACES team prides itself on providing valuable and timely evaluation results to improve the health of women and families. A large number of ACES research associates have formal training in maternal and child health.
Research & Evaluation
We believe that guiding the development of an evaluation or research request is important. We carefully and thoughtfully map out each step of the process to ensure that all the right questions are addressed and the overall aims of the evaluation are met. We also believe in a collaborative partnership between ACES and our clients. Building quality relationships and sustaining trust lies at the heart of our firm’s values.
Health Equity
Research and Evaluation Associates of Amaka Consulting and Evaluation Services, LLC apply an equity lens to all of our work, with a focus on dismantling and calling out “ism’s”.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ACES has provided consulting services to several clients around equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) work. Below are a few select highlights:
Developed and facilitated anti-racism trainings for healthcare leaders
Coordinated EDI learning and development opportunities for hospitals, medical schools, and nonprofits
Partnered with other EDI consultants and organizations to deliver trainings and develop webinars on racism, equity, and inclusion
Chaired and participated in research groups grounded in equity research and practice
our clients trust us.
Working with the ACES Team has been a joy! More than evaluators, they are our co-collaborators. Designing an evaluation with them made our strategies and projects stronger. Centering racial equity in public health evaluation is non-negotiable and the ACES Team walks the walk while many are only talking the talk. Evaluation of projects in over-researched yet underfunded communities requires deeply empathic and equitable practices in which the evaluation process itself addresses inequities. The ACES Team has earned our trust and the trust of our community partners. They are flexible and creative in working to evaluate a complex portfolio of statewide projects. We are so blessed to have them by our side in this work!
— Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
Choosing Amaka was the right choice for our small, non-profit community doula organization. We value choosing firms that understand the passion we have for maternal and child health and are owned, led, and operated by diverse staff members. We are very pleased with our relationship and the deliverables the firm provided.
—Accompany Doula Care
I had the pleasure of working with Amaka Consulting & Evaluation Services for almost two years. Over that time, I interacted with numerous members of the ACES team -- all of whom exhibited subject matter expertise, professionalism, and robust work ethic. ACES went above and beyond all expectations. All deliverables were completed with quality and finesse, and ACES helped us think outside of our preconceived boxes to ensure that our evaluation was as robust and innovative as possible. ACES brought valuable experience with working under federal grant requirements. I recommend their services with no hesitations!
— NASTAD
Amaka Consulting and Evaluation Services has been instrumental in educating our organization and stakeholders on the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the sexual and reproductive health space. Dr. Amutah-Onukagha is very thorough and conscientious in her delivery and she creates a space that is very engaging and welcoming to all. Her expertise is invaluable and the quality of service she provides is impeccable. Amaka Consulting and Evaluation Services is the gold standard!
—Power to Decide