Upcoming Events for the Week of December 11th

December 11, 2023 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 people 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, X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube!

December is:

Ongoing Opportunities

Inglewood Oil Field Communities Health Impact Survey
If you live 1.5 miles of the Inglewood Oil Field, participate in a survey to understand the health impacts on residents that live near it. The survey is confidential and voluntary. For more information contact Ms. Ha Luong at (310) 957-9209 or email haluong97@g.ucla.edu
Presented by LA Public Health and UCLA

Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA) Winter Shelter Program
Open Until March 31, 2024
Are you in need of shelter? Call the Winter Shelter Hotline at 800-548-6047 or visit LAHSA.org/winter-shelter to find a shelter near you.
Presented by LAHSA

Medi-Cal’s Medically Tailored Meal Program (MTM)
This program delivers groceries and meals to patients’ homes to help them meet nutritional needs and sustain healthy eating habits. This program provides services for up to 12 weeks. Eligibility and qualifications vary based on health care plan. Go here to learn how to access services.
Presented by Maternal and Child Health Access

Rapid Survey for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children
Participate in a 10-minute survey to help researchers better understand the needs of families with young children. Participants receive a gift card.
Presented by Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors and RAPID

LAUSD is Offering Devices for Virtual Tutoring Services
LAUSD students receiving tutoring services through LAUSD may access learning devices, like laptops, to virtually connect with their tutor and/or complete assignments online. Request a device at LAUSD Device and Connectivity.
Presented by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

Funding Opportunities: Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Care Grant
There are multiple programs with separate funding available. Program Area 38 (“Mommy Support”) and Program Area 41 (“Mommy Mentors”) may be of particular interest. See links to all applications and recordings of the Application Walk-Through webinar. Application deadline: January 5, 2024, 5:00pm
Presented by the Amity Foundation and the LA County Justice Care and Opportunities Dept.

L.A. County Mortgage Relief Program for Landlords in High-Need Areas
Qualified applicants can receive up to $30,000 to eliminate outstanding mortgage or utility debt that was caused from the pandemic.

Open Positions at the City of Torrance After School Club
The City of Torrance is hiring after-school staff for the positions of Program Specialist and Program Leader.

Full Spectrum Child Care
Provides parents and caregivers educational and behavioral support services for children impacted by autism and related disorders. They provide services to meet the child needs through individualized program and comfort.

Let the City of L.A. Know About Your Child Care Needs
Take this quick survey to help the City of L.A. learn about your family’s needs and how they can better support you.
Presented by Child Care Policy Unit – Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department

United to House Los Angeles Emergency Renters Assistance Program
The City of Los Angeles has created a new rental assistance program funded through the United to House Los Angeles (ULA) measure to assist low-income residential renters who are at risk of homelessness due to unpaid rent as a result of COVID-19 or other financial hardship. To be eligible, a household must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling and meet the requirements. Click here for more details.

California Coalition for Black Birth Justice is Requesting Your Support – Complete Survey
The California Coalition for Black Birth Justice would like feedback on their first draft agenda, and so are encouraging people to complete their 5-minute survey to weigh in. To access the survey, be sure to click on the following link.
Presented by The California Coalition for Black Birth Justice

Facility Fee Waivers for Child Care Providers for Infant & Toddler Spaces (Spanish)
The L.A. County Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education (OAECE), in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is offering facility fee waivers for renovation or construction projects for child care facilities that need plan reviews and/or permits.
Presented by OAECE and others

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 agencies in 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.

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

Join the Antelope Valley Birth Work Worker Pipeline!
Complete the brief interest form to be contacted with available workforce development and opportunities.
Presented by Black Infants and Families Los Angeles

Parents and Families of Children Ages 0-8 living in LA County, Make Your Voice Count! (Spanish)
Register to join Families Together for Kids in LA County to share your experiences and opinions through online surveys that can improve the future for all children in LA County. Each survey will give you the opportunity to receive a $5 gift card for your participation.
Presented by First 5 LA

Apply to Be a Bus Driver with LA Unified School District (LAUSD)
LAUSD is hiring light bus drivers. Qualified applicants must have a HS diploma / GED, 6+ months of paid experience in driving a bus/truck or completed an LAUSD bus driver course, a valid CA Driver’s license Class A or B with passenger and air brake endorsement, and a valid CA school bus driver certificate. Visit the LAUSD jobs website here for additional information.

CalFresh Benefits Market Match
Use the CalFresh Market Match program at your neighborhood farmers’ market to maximize your CalFresh rewards. When you use your EBT card at a farmers’ market to receive CalFresh benefits worth $15, you will also receive $15.

Get Help with Southern California Edison – Energy Saving Assistance Program
Southern California Edison’s Energy Savings Assistance program helps cover the cost of new energy-efficient appliances. The program is available to homeowners and renters if income qualifications are met.
Presented by Southern California Edison

Get Child Care Financial Assistance
The Child Care Resource Center helps families find and apply for child care assistance. Apply here (or here in Spanish). Learn more at CCRCCA.org or call 1-866-67-4KIDS. See CCRC’s flyer for parents in English and Spanish.

Metrolink’s Low-Income Fare Discount Program
Metrolink’s new low-income fare discount program offers a 50% discount on ANY Metrolink ticket or pass for riders with a valid California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Learn more here.

Help Paying for DWP Energy and Water Bills
There’s up to $15,000 in tax-free utility bill assistance available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) per eligible households. There is no impact on other benefits or public charge determinations. Learn how to apply at Help Is On the Way (ladwp.com). Non-DWP customers can use this search feature to contact a local LIHEAP agency for more information.

Consumer Relief for Natural Gas Bills
Various resources are available to assist income-qualified customers with high gas bills. Learn more here.
Presented by SoCalGas

CSU Dominguez Hills Study: Seeking Participants Who are Expecting Their First Child
Are you currently pregnant for the first time? You are invited to participate in a new research study at CSU Dominguez Hills focused on daily emotions and experience during pregnancy. You can earn up to $150 for participation in this study. For more information, contact perch@csudh.edu or call (323) 379-9118.
Study conducted by the CSU Dominguez Hills Department of Psychology

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

MotherToBaby Study: Seeking Participants
MotherToBaby is currently enrolling pregnant women in an observational study to explore how asthma and its treatment affect pregnancy. All studies are conducted through phone interviews — no changes to your normal routine or travel required.
Study conducted by MotherToBaby

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.

Pregnant? Sign up for LAist’s Pregnancy Texting Service
Get answers to your questions about pregnancy, birth and parenting. Text “heybb” to 73224 to sign up.

Golden Bear Pass
CalWORKs families can receive a complimentary 2023 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.

Opportunity LA Offers Free Savings Accounts for Children
The City and County of Los Angeles, along with LAUSD, are working together to provide all LAUSD first-graders with a FREE Child Saving Account (CSA) to help save for college — regardless of the student or parent’s income, background or immigration status. All eligible students will receive an initial $50 deposit. Additional deposits can be made by students and families. To learn more about the program, visit OpportunityLA.com or watch videos in English and Spanish here.
Presented by the City and County of L.A., in partnership with LAUSD and Citibank

WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit Increase
Through September 30, 2024
WIC families can get extra money to buy fruits and vegetables at WIC-approved stores and farmers’ markets. Use this tool to find your nearest farmers’ market that accepts WIC, and learn more about the benefit here.

Teen Parent Prosper Program
Pregnant or parenting teens living in the City of Los Angeles are eligible for this 800-hour paid internship program. The opportunity is limited to the first 40 eligible applicants. Apply here or contact Claudia Castillo at (213) 808-8652 or Claudia.Castillo@lacity.org for more information.
Presented by the City of Los Angeles’ Community Investment for Families Department and others

Registration Open for Fall Classes and Activities at LA County Parks
Whether you’re taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill or being more active, LA County Parks invites you to join a fall class! They are offering a variety of in-person and virtual classes to help you get active, stay healthy, and enjoy a new hobby. From yoga and sports to music and arts, there is a class for everyone! Check out their fall classes and register for an activity at reservations.lacounty.gov.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation

Participate in the Equity in Infrastructure Community Survey
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works invites you to share your thoughts on improving important services, such as road repairs, flood control, water quality, bike lanes, and waste removal, in your community. Your feedback will be used to create a more just and equitable L.A. County for all.

Youth at Work
Are you between 14 – 24 looking for a job? You can earn money while learning valuable life and work skills. This program provides an array of services that offer access to paid work-based learning, work readiness, personal enrichment training, academic and career development, and advanced career services. Apply here.
Presented by Youth@Work

California State Digital Equity Plan: Public Survey
The state of California is asking residents to take the Digital Equity Online Survey to share their experiences and barriers to using the internet. The survey is accessible in 14 different languages and should be completed by one individual per household.

CalWORKS Home Visiting Program Offers Support to Parents
CalWORKs parents who are pregnant or parenting a child who is three years old or younger can receive FREE home-based support to help keep their family healthy through various programs. Pregnant parents can also receive help through the Family Nurses Program. To learn more and sign up, please call 800-427-8700.

LA County Library & LA County Library Foundation Partner with Seattle Seahawks Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu
Uchenna Nwosu is partnering with the Library and LA County Library Foundation to fund a My Brother’s Keeper Peer Advocate position at Carson Library for the next three years. If you are interested and would want to make an impact in the Carson community you can learn more about the MBK Peer Advocate position and complete an interest form here.

UCLA Study Focus Groups
Participate in focus groups and receive incentives by giving your feedback on the new UCLA wellness app. They are recruiting high school students and parents of high school students. To learn more about the study, contact Christine Lee at 714-822-0649 or at kungeunlee@mednet.ucla.edu.

Decolonized Nonviolent Parenting: A Practice for Raising Empathetic, Grounded, & Socially Conscious Kids (6-Week Course)
Receive support in developing a parenting style that acknowledges your children’s journey and develops them to be empathic, grounded, and socially conscious via the lenses of familial decolonization, nonviolence, reparenting, and conscious child development.
Presented by Latinx Parenting

Monday, December 11

Virtual Training: Fostering Crucial Conversations about Race with Children and Families
December 11, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Webinar: Understanding Racism’s Impact on Child Development: Working Toward Fairness of Place in the United States
December 11, 9:00am
Presented by Harvard University

Virtual Training: Cultural Humility
December 11 & 12, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Tuesday, December 12

Webinar: Growing Brain Webinar Series
December 12 – 21, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00am – 11:30am
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Virtual Training: Child and Family Team Facilitator Training
December 12 & 13, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Webinar: Social Connections
December 12, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Part of the Protective Factors Series
Presented by California Training Institute

Wednesday, December 13

Free Drive Thru Food Giveaway at East Rancho Dominguez Park
December 13, 9:00am – 12:00pm: East Rancho Dominguez Park, 15116 East Atlantic Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90221
No walk ups, food will be available while supplies last.
Presented by Office of Holly J. Mitchell and others

Hybrid Meeting: Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Coordinated Entry System Policy Council Meeting
December 13, 9:30am: Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, 637 Wilshire Boulevard, 1st Floor Commission Room, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Presented by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

Virtual Symposium: CalNonprofits’ Annual Policy Convention
December 13, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Presented by Action for Uncertain Times

Webinar: Innovative Doula Practice, Programs, and Policies to Eliminate Maternal Health Disparities
December 13, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Presented by The Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center

Virtual Workshop: Indigenous Environmental Justice and Child Health
December 13, 12:00pm
Part of the Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change Series
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Virtual Training: Social Media Strategies in a Shifting Environment
December 13, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Presented by CalTrin

Virtual Training: Spotlight on Managed Care for the Medi-Cal Expansion Population
December 13, 12:00pm
Presented by Benefits Access for Immigrants Los Angeles

Webinar: Unlock Your Professional Learning Path in Home Visiting
December 13, 12:00pm
Presented by Rapid Response Virtual Home Visiting

Virtual Training: Daily Clinical Management in FSP
December 13, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Presented byDMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Webinar: L.A County Doula Hub Lead Agency
December 13,1:30pm – 2:15pm
Presented by Black Infants & Families and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health County of Los Angeles

Senior Resource Workshop
December 13, 1:00pm – 2:30pm: Del Aire Park Community Room, 12601 South Isis Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90251
Presented by Office of Holly J. Mitchell and more

Webinar: Immigrant Student & Families
December 13, 5:00pm
Live Spanish translation available. Participants have a chance to win a $50 gift card!
Presented by The Children’s Partnership

Thursday, December 14

Virtual Training: The Conversation Guide for Professionals on Substance Use, Children, and Families
December 14, 9:00am
Presented by National Center on Health, Behavioral Health and Safety

Webinar: Findhelp Product Recap: A Look Back at 2023
December 14, 9:00am – 10:30am
Presented by FindHelp

Virtual Training: A Mi Manera Introductory Workshop: Setting Respectful Boundaries With Others While Parenting
December 14, 9:00am – 10:00am
Presented by Latinx Parenting

Webinar: Healthcare at Risk for Immigrant Families: How Major Gaps in States’ Medicaid “Unwinding” Performance Threaten Health and Health Equity
December 14, 9:30am
Presented by Protecting Immigrant Families

Webinar: Perinatal Maternal Mental Health 101
December 14, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Presented by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health and Postpartum Support International

Virtual Training: Talking More About Marijuana with Families and Staff
December 14, 11:00am
Presented by Office of Head Start

AAIMM CATs Holiday Celebration
December 14, 11:00am – 2:00pm: Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Presented by The African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative Community Action Teams

Virtual Training: Supporting Families’ Financial Goals Using the New Family Economic Mobility Toolkit
December 14, 12:00pm
Presented by Office of Head Start

Webinar: Healthy and Joyous Births Takes a Village
December 14, 1:00pm
Presented by Los Angeles County Perinatal & Early Childhood Home Visitation Consortium

Virtual Training: Engaging Fathers & Other Adult Males in the Child and Family Team Process
December 14, 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Webinar: Approaching Garden Education with Compassion and Connection
December 14, 3:00pm
Presented by Kids Gardening

Webinar: Emotional Wellness During Pregnancy and Postpartum
December 14, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Presented by Maternal Mental Health NOW and AAIMM Community Action Team

Friday, December 15

We don’t know of any events happening today.

Saturday, December 16

Virtual Conference: 5th Annual Cancer in the Community Conference: The Future in Cancer Therapy: From Participant Engagement to Scientific Discovery
December 16, 8:00am
Presented by USC

Virtual Event: A Mi Manera Introductory Workshop: Setting Respectful Boundaries with Others While Parenting
December 16, 9:00am – 10:00am
Presented by Latinx Parenting

Community Support Drive
December 16, 10:00am: Bryant Temple A.M.E. Iglesia, 2525 West Vernon Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90008
First come, first serve basis!
Presented by WIN Los Angeles

Sunday, December 17

An Afternoon of Poesia at Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore
December 17, 6:00pm – 8:30pm: Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore, 12677 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
Presented by Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore

Film Screening of Farha at Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore
December 17, 1:30pm – 3:30pm: Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore, 12677 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
Presented by Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore