Upcoming Events for the Week of September 5th

September 5, 2022 LA Best Babies Network Los Angeles County, Upcoming Events

Here is a roundup of this week’s conferences, webinars, and trainings for home visitors and others who work with pregnant women and families with little ones. Also included: events around L.A. County that you can share with the families you serve. Want to look further into the future? See the comprehensive lists we update weekly for:

Do you have something for us to include? Email snish@labestbabies.org. And stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

September is:

Ongoing Opportunities

UCLA Breastfeeding Study: Seeking Interview Participants
Get a $75 gift card for doing a 45- to 60-minute phone/zoom interview about breastfeeding. Must be pregnant or have recently given birth and identify as Asian American, Black or African American, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Select a time to do the interview here. Contact ajscheitler@ucla.edu if you have questions.
Study conducted by UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Pregnant Persons Focus Groups and Survey: Seeking Participants
2020 Mom and the American Psychiatric Association are conducting a study to assess gaps in care and treatment of mental maternal health. Those who are currently pregnant, have given birth, or experienced pregnancy loss in the past 24 months are invited to participate. Participants who complete the two one-hour sessions will receive a $200 honorarium and those who complete the survey will receive a $30 Amazon gift card.
Study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association and 2020 Mom

Parent-Child Interaction Research Study: Seeking Participants
Are you a parent between the ages of 18-35 who was formerly in foster care and is now parenting a 6–18 month-old child? You’re invited to participate in this research study. You may be eligible to receive a $20 gift card. To learn more, call (626) 657-8745 or email ECampi15@Chan.USC.edu.

Black Mothers Wellness Study: Seeking Survey Participants
Are you a Black mother who has a 1-12 month-old baby? You’re invited to complete an online survey to share about your experiences as a new mother. To thank you for your time, you will get a $15 VISA gift card. For more information or to participate, email KFJames@mednet.ucla.edu or call (310) 794-7649.
Study conducted by the National Clinician Scholars Program at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

CalKIDS Program Gives Money to Families to Save for College
Low-income families with public school students in grades 1-12 can now open college savings accounts, and California will contribute seed investments of up to $1,500 for each child. All California families with newborns (born on or after July 1, 2022) can also open these accounts and receive up to $100 from the state. Read more about eligibility, and see this FAQ page. To see these pages in another language click “Language” on the right side.

Apply to Become a Help Me Grow LA Parent Champion
Help Me Grow LA (HMG LA) is recruiting parents, caregivers and community members across Los Angeles County to join the HMG LA Community and Family Engagement Council (CFEC) as Parent Champions. You’ll serve as a strategic planning partner and advocate for HMG LA, representing the family perspective and helping to ensure that early childhood services and resources meet the needs of children with or at risk of behavioral and/or developmental delays and disabilities. Members meet four times a year. Applications are available in English and Spanish. Apply today!

WIC Families Get Benefits at the Farmers’ Market
WIC families can get $30 to buy fruits and vegetables at WIC-certified Farmers’ Markets (limit one per family per year). Text “Farmers” to 91997 for more info or use this tool to find your nearest Farmers’ Market that accepts WIC.

Pregnant? Sign up for KPCC’s New Pregnancy Texting Service
KPCC and LAist have a new texting service that they are inviting pregnant people to help beta test. Get answers to some of your questions about pregnancy, birth and parent life. Text “heybb” to 73224 to sign up.

Food Giveaways
See our updated list throughout L.A. County. For all in-person events, remind families to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and stay home if they feel sick or have been diagnosed with COVID.

Infant Formula Resources for Families in L.A. County and Across California
See this updated post in the Stronger Families Blog for resources and information to share with the families you serve.

Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) Program
This program is open to low-income individuals who live in Los Angeles County. LIFE offers discounts on weekly and monthly transit passes on Metro and any LIFE participating transit agencies.
Presented by Metro

Free or Low-Cost Internet for Students
Visit GetConnectedLosAngeles.lacity.org or call 3-1-1 to learn about available options.
Presented by the City of L.A.

Resources to Bridge the Digital Divide
A recent LA Health Collaborative focused on helping underserved families in LA County get connected. For a very comprehensive library of resources, see the Digital Divide Toolkit from the Community Clinic Association of LA County. Here are a couple of good links to share with clients (those without Internet access can call 3-1-1 to learn about available options):
Get Connected Los Angeles
Affordable Connectivity Program

What You Should Know About Monkeypox
This continually updated webpage from the LA County Department of Public Health answers your questions and helps you find a vaccine clinic if you are at risk.

COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available to Children Older Than 6 Months
Over 900 locations across Los Angeles County are now vaccinating children ages 6 months and older. Visit VaccinateLACounty.com or VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) to learn about locations, and schedules for clinics offering these and other COVID-19 vaccines.

Free Rapid & PCR COVID Testing
Dates and times vary: Locations vary Free testing will be available by appointment only.
Presented by Total Testing Solutions

Pick-Up Testing Kit Program
If you have COVID symptoms or think you were exposed to COVID, you can pick up a free PCR testing kit, administer it yourself, and return it to a designated site for processing. See pick-up locations here.

Free COVID-19 Vaccines, Food, Diapers, Wipes, and more!
By appointment only
To make an appointment, call (323) 789-4717.
Presented by The Children’s Collective – Family Source Center

LA Children’s Savings Account Program Information
Opportunity LA is a children’s savings account program for current LAUSD students. The program gives a $50 deposit to families who open a savings account to start saving for college.
Visit OpportunityLA.com or watch videos in English and Spanish here. Contact cifd.opportunityla@lacity.org or (213) 820-4283 with questions.
Presented by the City and County of L.A., in partnership with Citibank

Golden Bear Pass
CalWORKs families can now receive a complimentary 2022 Golden Bear Pass, which grants free entry at 200+ state parks and beaches. Learn more and apply here (or in Spanish here). Questions? Contact the California Dept. of Social Services at (916) 651-0515 or calworksoutreach@dss.ca.gov.

Discounted Internet Service Still Available
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps income-eligible households afford high-speed internet service. The program provides up to a $30 monthly discount per family. To learn more or apply, visit InternetForAllNow.org or call 866-425-2870.

Have You Gotten Your Child Tax Credit Yet?
The Child Tax Credit puts cash in your hands to help with the rising cost of raising kids. You can get up to $3,600 per child under age 6 and up to $3,000 per child ages 6 to 17. File your claim at GetCTC.org (or in Spanish at GetCTCorg/es).

Request FREE COVID-19 Home Antigen Tests to Distribute in the Community You Serve
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) is distributing FREE home antigen COVID-19 test kits to community agencies within high-need communities to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. If your agency is interested in distributing these in the community, please submit your request online using this link.

Podcast: DMH UCLA Public Mental Health Partnership
Lots of episodes on interesting and useful topics for home visitors – available on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify. In partnership with the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, the Public Mental Health Partnership at UCLA “aims to realize a vision for excellence in care for vulnerable populations that incorporates typically marginalized perspectives and builds capacity to foster health equity.” Visit pmhp.ucla.edu to learn more.

Free COVID-19 Vaccines
Safe, effective and free – COVID-19 vaccines are widely available (even for babies who are at least 6 months old), regardless of health insurance and immigration status. There are hundreds of vaccination sites across L.A. County, and many are open late and on weekends with no appointment required. Visit VaccinateLACounty.com to find a location near you. See the CDC’s page on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens.
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Test to Treat COVID-19 Program
Get free same-day testing and free antiviral medication across LA County sites. Click here, call 211, or text 844-833-1334 to find a free county testing location.
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Monday, September 5

Happy Labor Day! We don’t know of any events happening today.

Tuesday, September 6

Webinar: Maternal Suicide in the U.S.: The Latest Research & Data Collection Efforts
September 6, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Presented by 2020 Mom

Webinar: Foundations of Knowledge & Action: Trans 101
September 6, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Presented by The Transgender Training Institute

Quarantined Mamis Virtual Summit
September 6-8
Resources and support designed for Latinx parents to help with raising a “quarantine baby” during the pandemic.
Presented by QuarantinedMamis.com

Every Body Plays
September 6 – May 26 (Monday – Friday), 2:30pm – 5:30pm: Various parks throughout L.A. County
Free activities overseen by L.A. County Parks staff.
Presented by L.A. County Parks & Recreation

Free Snack Program at LA County Parks
September 6 – May 19, Monday – Friday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Various parks throughout L.A. County
Presented by L.A. County Parks & Recreation

Beat the Streets Los Angeles – Youth Wrestling
Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 6 – November 17, 3:00pm – 6:00pm: Colonel Leon H. Washington Park, 8908 Maie Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90002
Presented by L.A. County Parks & Recreation

Wednesday, September 7

Webinar: Digital Storytelling for Global Health and Rights
September 7, 10:00am
Presented by StoryCenter

Webinar: Suicide and Overdose: The Leading Cause of Death for New Mothers
September 7, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance

Webinar: Ask the Pediatrician: COVID Vaccinations for Children
September 7, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Presented by Rapid Response Virtual Home Visiting

Webinar: Introduction to Care Transitions: The Importance of Discharge Planning and Early Aftercare
September 7, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

#MomsAreNot Immune Remembrance Vigil
September 7, 5:30pm – 6pm
Presented by Kristen Garzone from the Believe KNT Foundation

Candlelight Remembrance Vigil: Maternal Suicide Awareness Week
September 7, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Presented by 2020 Mom

Thursday, September 8

Virtual Training: Foundations of Awareness: An Intro for Clinicians (Part 1)
September 8, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Presented by The Transgender Training Institute

Virtual Training: Suicide Assessment and Prevention
September 8 & 9, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Webinar: How Environmental Toxicity, Inequity, and Capitalism Affect Reproductive Health
September 8, 10:00am
Presented by The Center for Biological Diversity and Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health

Webinar: Maternal Mental Health 101
September 8, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Presented by 2020 Mom and Postpartum Support International

Friday, September 9

Webinar: Review of Federal Policies that Contribute to Racial and Ethnic Health Inequities
September 9, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by National Academies Committee

Saturday, September 10

We don’t know of any events happening today.

Sunday, September 11

Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development Annual Conference
September 11 – 14, TBA: Washington, D.C.
Presented by the Society of Health Care Strategy and Market Development