The Expecting Fathers Group is designed specifically for Black soon-to-be fathers and provides education, support and navigation tools for the prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum and early parenting periods. 

The California Abundant Birth Project (CA ABP) is now in Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties!!

CA ABP is a guaranteed income program that provides cash during pregnancy. It was developed by Expecting Justice and the community to make birthing healthier and safer for the people facing the greatest risk during their pregnancy journey.

CA ABP provides cash with no strings attached as a strategy to prevent stress during pregnancy. Research shows this is likely to prevent babies from being born too early or too small and can also protect the health of the mother (birthing parent). By providing unconditional cash, mamas have resources to support themselves and their families, and babies have the chance at a healthy start.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Dear AAIMM Village,

The Black Equity Collective (BEC) and partners, Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) and EVITARUS, are preparing for the launch of the "Black-Led Organizations: Strengthening California's Economy and Communities" surveylaunching on Tuesday, July 9th. We need your help to spread the word as far and wide across the state as possible!

For generations, Black-led nonprofits have worked tirelessly and courageously, to create innovative approaches and solutions to the most pressing challenges driving inequity in our communities. We lead with truth, strength, strategic disruption and love which shine through in the programs, services, and care we deliver. Our leadership also contributes to the iconic wealth and culture of California and it’s time that value is recognized as well.

Read the full newsletter!

Recommendation as submitted by Supervisor Mitchell: Celebrate June 2024 as “Fatherhood Well-Being Month” throughout Los Angeles County; direct the Chief Executive Officer, the Directors of Public Social Services, Child Support Services, Children and Family Services, Mental Health, Public Health, Economic Opportunity and Youth Development, the Executive Director of Racial Equity, the Chief Probation Officer and the Public Defender, to promote father well-being resources and outreach events and activities through targeted outreach to underserved populations, public messaging efforts and social media, and add fathers as a subpopulation to each of the County’s prevention and promotion initiative’s focus areas and that focus area subcommittees work to further guide the implementation of the County’s recommendations and explore options to ensure that fathers have efficient access to accurate information and essential resources needed, as recommended in the Chief Executive Officer’s March 6, 2024 Workgroup Report; and take the following actions:

An open forum, drop-in platform for expectant, new and experienced fathers that propels their proactive engagement in their children’s and partners’ lives. The group creates a safe space for growth, feeding the mind, body and spirit of fathers as they raise their children and support their partners.

Holding Space for Our Fathers

By Ruel Nolledo

Building the Village is a special 4-part series focusing on the work taking place in neighborhoods throughout L.A. County to combat the disproportionately high rates of Black maternal and infant deaths and ensure that all Black families experience joyous and healthy births. Created and supported by L.A. County’s AAIMM Prevention Initiative, local partnerships known as Community Action Teams (CATs) are bringing everyone together to raise awareness of the crisis and identify the solutions that work best for their community. In addition to the L.A. Department of Public Health, each CAT includes local residents (including mothers/birthing persons and dads/partners), community-based organizations,  faith-based organizations, health care providers and plans/networks, birth workers such as doulas and midwives, First 5 LA, the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, local businesses, and other allies. 

Poor oral health may be linked to:

• Preeclampsia
• Preterm birth
• Low birth weight

Keep your mouth healthy while pregnant by:

• Visiting the dentist when pregnant and regularly therafter
• Brushing twice a day, everyday for two minutes
• Eating healthy foods
• Drinking water
• Quitting smoking

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TIPS

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus held an annual ceremony in the State Capitol to recognize seven California ‘HERstory Makers’. In recognition of her groundbreaking achievements, the Caucus chose our executive director, Janette Robinson-Flint, as one of the 2024 California Women Making HERstory. The California Legislature paid tribute to Janette on Monday, March 11th in Sacramento, presented by State Senator Nancy Skinner.

Since 2018, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), in partnership with First 5 LA and community-based organizations, has led a broad African American Infant & Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) to address the disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes caused by the societal and physiological effects of racism and discrimination. The AAIMM Doula Program launched in 2019 to match Black pregnant individuals with skilled Black birth doulas who provide support, advocacy, and education throughout the perinatal period. In addition to direct service provision, the Program also organizes workforce development opportunities for birthworkers of color and fosters demand for doula services via public awareness, clinician and community engagement, and statewide policy work.