Different Journeys, One Shared Support System: Two Moms Are Grateful for Welcome Baby

At the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners meeting on May 14, 2026, home visiting staff, families, and community members gathered to show support for home visiting programs during a panel presentation titled, “Home Visiting: Current State and Future System Opportunities,” which featured LA Best Babies Network Director Sharlene Gozalians as a panelist.

Among those advocating for the impact of home visiting were Ebony Middlebrook, a Parent Coach at Maternal and Child Health Access (MCHA), and two mothers she has supported through the Welcome Baby program: Johnna and Shawna. They sat down with LABBN to share their testimonials.

For Johnna, Welcome Baby became a source of support she returned to again and again. A mother of six children, she enrolled her four youngest children in the program because of the confidence and knowledge she gained during her earlier experiences. “I felt so empowered by the program,” Johnna shared. “It gave me so much knowledge that there was no doubt I was going to get into the program again.”

Johnna explained that when she had her older two children, she did not have much support. Through Welcome Baby, she learned about infant development, feeding, and what milestones to look for as her babies grew. “Ebony taught me that when babies get to a certain age, pay attention to the baby sitting up or itchy gums and drooling,” she said. “She prepared me for motherhood. I wasn’t going into it blind like I did with my other children.”

Johnna also shared how important breastfeeding support was during her postpartum journey. As the first person in her family to breastfeed, she often felt isolated. Ebony and the Welcome Baby nurses helped teach her breastfeeding positions, assisted with latching, and monitored her baby’s growth during home visits. “My baby hadn’t even gone to the doctor yet, so it gave me confidence that his weight was good,” Johnna said. “Just to have security and know I was doing everything I was supposed to do felt good.”

Johnna said the program connected her family with diapers, wipes, clothing, and other essential resources. Most importantly, she said she built trust and a meaningful relationship with Ebony. “I learned so much. I feel like it was tailored to me — to make me feel secure and make me feel like a strong mama and strong woman,” she said. Johnna now frequently recommends the program to others, including her own sister.

Shawna’s experience with Welcome Baby was different, but equally impactful. During her high-risk pregnancy, she worried about postpartum depression and navigating the challenges ahead. She said Ebony provided reassurance, encouragement, and connections to critical support services. “I have support if I do feel sad. That was with the help of her saying ‘you got this,’ guiding me through the things I need to do if I do feel these things, if I do have the baby blues.”

Ebony helped connect Shawna with a birth doula and ensured the services were covered through Medi-Cal so there would be no financial burden. She also provided diapers, wipes, baby clothing, and emotional support throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period.

Both mothers emphasized how meaningful it was to work with someone who understood their experiences and community.

“I am so grateful that I had Ebony — to have someone that looks like me, that comes from the same community as me. She connected with me on another level and it felt really good.”

For Ebony, hearing stories like these reinforces the lasting impact of home visiting work.

“I am grateful for being a Parent Coach with Welcome Baby for almost 16 years and just knowing that it’s still impactful and it still makes a difference, especially within our community,” she said.

During the public comment portion of the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners meeting, Ebony, Johnna, and Shawna spoke about why home visiting programs remain essential for families.

“I was enhanced by this program,” Shawna shared. “This is a program that is unbelievably necessary for every mother.”

Hear what they have to say about Welcome Baby in this video:

Looking for support during your pregnancy and parenting journey? Find a free program in L.A. County near you:
eDirectory.HomeVisitingLA.org

Learn more about Welcome Baby at WelcomeBabySupport.org.