SHAWNEETOWN, Ill. (WSIL) -- The Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy Center (SIRAC) received a $60,000 Medical Respite Planning Grant from the Illinois Public Health Institute. This grant is designed to help create a respite model for unhoused pregnant and postpartum women in southern Illinois.

The initiative aims to provide a home-based environment where mothers and their infants can recover and connect to vital services. "Our region has carried a significant burden of maternal and child health challenges without adequate resources," said Megan Ragan, Executive Director of SIRAC. "This initiative will allow mothers and infants to recover in safety, rebuild stability, and connect with the supports they need."

The planned respite model will offer temporary housing, meals, and a range o

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