LABBN Director Featured as Panelist at WIN’s Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Conference
Westside Infant-Family Network (WIN) Los Angeles held its inaugural Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Conference on November 25, 2024, at the California Endowment. The event focused on the racial and socioeconomic disparities that affect the health, education, and development of young children.
WIN provides free, in-home mental health therapy and in-home comprehensive support to vulnerable families with young children. The organization partners with clinics, pantries, Early Head Start programs, schools, child care homes, and sister agencies throughout the community to help families access comprehensive support.
WIN’s conference was a half-day event that featured breakout sessions on topics such as: Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Early Childhood Mental Health, Innovations in Accessible Mental Health Services, and Equity in Childbirth: Narrowing the Racial Disparity Gap.
LA Best Babies Network Director Sharlene Gozalians participated on a panel called “Reflective Practice: Nurturing Sustainable Futures.” Other panelists included Maternal & Child Health Administrator Vynette Brown (SHIELDS for Families), Parent Coach Supervisor Zaira Martinez (SHIELDS for Families), and Diane Reynolds (Reflective Praxis Consulting). As part of the Welcome Baby program, Vynette and Zaira participated in reflective practice sessions facilitated by Diane.
Reflective practice involves methods and techniques that help individuals and groups reflect on their experiences and actions in order to engage in a process of continuous learning.
Sharlene discussed how reflective practice is integral to the work of LA Best Babies Network as an oversight entity (overseeing the Family Strengthening Network); it is embedded in our operations through contracts that ensure ongoing training for staff, consultants, and others. She also talked about leading with reflective practice across home visiting agencies and models.
The keynote speaker was Barbara Stroud, a leading developmental psychologist focused on advancing equity and improving early childhood outcomes for marginalized communities. You can access an overview of Dr. Stroud’s keynote address here.
The event ended with a plenary discussion about the future of prevention funding, featuring panelists Lisa H. Wong, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and Karla Pleitéz Howell, President and CEO of First 5 LA. The moderator was Jacqueline Chun, Associate Director at the Center for Strategic Partnerships.
Check out some clips from the conference below.
