Upcoming Events for the Week of August 22nd

August 22, 2022August 19, 2022 LA Best Babies Network

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!

August is:

Ongoing Opportunities

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

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

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

LA County Summer Recreation Programs: Sports, Recreation, Aquatics and More!
LA County parks are offering a range of activities and programs for the whole family this summer, including Splash Pads (available through September 30, 10:00am – 7:00pm). Find one near you.For more information, please visit parks.lacounty.gov.
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

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 LosAngeles
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 varyFree 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).

Virtual Parent Workshops: How to Talk to Your Teen About Sexual Health
Tuesdays, Now – August 23, 10:00am – 11:00am Workshops take place almost every other Tuesday, with the next session talking about body image and boundaries. For details, email spa2@ph.lacounty.gov or WhittierWC@ph.lacounty.gov.
Presented by the Los Angeles County Public Health Community and Field Services Division Region 2, Antelope Valley Wellness Community, and Whittier Wellness Community

Summer Reading Program: Read Beyond the Beaten Path
Now – August 30
Explore familiar stories, discover new favorites, and earn prizes for reading. For more information, call (562) 989-7323.
Presented by the Signal Hill Public Library

Marina Movie Nights
Most Saturdays, Now – September 24, 8:00pm: Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
No tickets are required for entry.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors

LA County Parks & Recreation Splash Pads
Now – September 30, 10:00am – 7:00pm
Los Angeles County Parks and Rec offers 23 Splash Pads at parks across the county. These water play areas are specially designed for families with young children. Find one near you

Webinar: Orientation for New Refugees and Asylees
Now – December 15, 6:00pm
Participants learn about available services, including information on refugee rights, and access to resources. Questions? Call (800) 593-8222.
Presented by the L.A. County Office of Immigrant Affairs

Monday, August 22

Webinar: Non-Binary Basics
August 22, 9:00am – 9:30am
Presented by The Transgender Training Institute

Virtual Training: Non-Coercive Approaches to Conflict Management
August 22 – 23, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Webinar: Getting Comfortable with Pronouns
August 22, 10:00am – 10:30am
Presented by The Transgender Training Institute

Tuesday, August 23

Aprendiendo a Amamantar
23 de agosto, 10:00am – 11:30am
Presentado por Eisner Health

Webinar: Children Under Stress: Preventing ACEs and Supporting Childhood Well-Being
August 23, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation

Webinar: Difficult Conversations and Power Dynamics
August 23, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Paternidad Activa: Un Grupo para Padres de Niños Entre 5 y 12 Años de Edad
23 y 30 de agosto, 6, 13, 20, y 27 de septiembre, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Para más información o para inscribirse, contacte a Katerin Ochoa llamando a (562) 526-7980 o enviando un correo electrónico a KOchoa@pacsla.org.
Presentado por Pacific Asian Counseling Services

Wednesday, August 24

Webinar: Centering Community Voices: Solutions to Safe Sleep and Breastfeeding Using a Quality Improvement Framework
August 24, 11:00am
Presented by National Institute for Children’s Health Quality

Webinar: Healthy People 2030: Civil Engagement as a Social Determinant of Health
August 24, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Webinar: WIC: All Your Questions Answered: From Breastfeeding to Formula Updates to Making Referrals!
August 24, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Presented by WIC, Health Net, and L.A. Care Health Plan

Webinar: Team Engagement: From Hiring to Sustainability
August 24, 12:00pm – 1:00pmPresented by Rapid Response-Virtual Home Visiting collaborative

Webinar: Basics of Trans Affirming Medical Care (Part 1)
August 24, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Presented by The Transgender Training Institute

Virtual Event: A Discussion With Transgender Elected Officials, Advocates, and Community Organizers
August 24, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Presented by the California Endowment

Thursday, August 25

Save the Date: 11^th Annual Breastfeeding and Equity Summit
August 25 – 27, 8:00am – 4:00pm: New Orleans, LA
Presented by Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) and Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere (ROBE)

Webinar: The Facts and Faces of Prevention: Shifting From Mandated Reporting to Community Supporting
August 25, 12:00pm – 1:00 pm
Presented by Safe and Sound

Webinar: Summer Refresher Session: Motivational Interviewing (Part 2)
August 25, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Diabetes en Embarazo
25 de agosto, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Presentado por Eisner Health

Diabetes in Pregnancy
August 25, 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Presented by Eisner Health

Friday, August 26

Webinar: Preserving Community-Centered Lactation Support for Brown Folks
August 26, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by BreastfeedLA

Webinar: Emergent Feeding Strategies: Equity in Feeding Approaches for Early Intervention
August 26, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Presented by the Infant Development Association of California

Saturday, August 27

Metro Bus Operator Hiring Event
August 27, 8:00am – 1:00pm: LA Valley College, 5800 Fulton Ave, Valley Glen, CA 91401
Interviews, physicals and fingerprinting all in one day, plus a possible sign-on bonus of up to $3,000.
Presented by Metro

Tenant Rights Workshop
August 27, 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Ross Hall at Veterans Park, 6662 Loveland St., Bell Gardens, CA 90201
To make an appointment for additional consultation (available until 4:00pm), call 323-609-8964.
Presented by Stay Housed LA

Sunday, August 28

We don’t know of any events happening today.