Upcoming Events for the Week of January 23rd
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!
January is:
- Cervical Health Awareness Month
- National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month
- National Birth Defects Prevention Month
Check out the tips provided by the CDC on how to help prevent birth defects. - National Blood Donor Month
- Glaucoma Awareness Month
- National Thyroid Awareness Month
- World Braille Day (January 4)
- National Folic Acid Awareness Week (January 2 – 8)
Check out these folic acid resources from the WICWorks Resource System and the California Department of Public Health - Healthy Weight Week (January 15 – 21)
- Maternal Health Awareness Day (January 23)
- World Leprosy Day (January 29)
Ongoing Opportunities
Early Learning Readiness (ELR) Programs at the YMCA help children (0-5 years) develop the physical, verbal, and social skills they need to be school-ready. Caregivers learn how children develop and how to encourage skill building at home. See flyers in English and in Spanish. YMCA’s offering ELR program:
- Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA
4801 E 58th Street, Maywood, CA 90270
Monday & Wednesday, 10am-12pm
Contact: Andrea Aguilar at AndreaAguilar@ymcaLA.org - Weingart East Lost Angeles YMCA (Branch)
2900 Whittier Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Tuesday & Thursday, 1pm-3pm
Contact: Rene Estrada at ReneEstrada@ymcaLA.org - Weingart YMCA Wellness & Aquatic Center
9900 S Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90044
Monday & Wednesday, 10am-12pm
Contact: Jessica Chapeton at JessicaChapeton@ymcaLA.org - Crenshaw Family YMCA
3820 Santa Rosalia Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am-12pm
Contact: Jessica Chapeton at JessicaChapeton@ymcaLA.org
USC School of Early Childhood Education is Now Enrolling
The program is open to children ages 0-5 and pregnant people. There are options for Early Head Start, Head Start and State preschool. Call (213) 743-2466 to learn more.
¡Más Fresco! More Fresh Program for CalFresh Households
CalFresh recipients can enroll in this program to earn up to $100 per month when they buy fresh fruits and vegetables with their CalFresh benefits at a participating Northgate González Market. Learn more here.
Discounted Internet Access: Affordable Connectivity Program
Run by the Federal Communications Commission, this program reduces the cost of internet for families with a limited income. See if you qualify here.
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.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This program assists families with energy costs. They provide federally-funded assistance in managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs. Eligibility for LIHEAP services can vary depending on income, household size, place of residence, and other factors. To apply for LIHEAP services and to inquire about the type of assistance available in your area, please use the search feature to contact your local LIHEAP agency for more information.
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.
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.
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 LosAngeles
Affordable Connectivity Program
Free Rapid & PCR COVID Testing
Dates and times vary: Locations varyFree testing will be available by appointment only.
Presented by Total Testing Solutions
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
Fall at LA County Parks
Free and paid programs for youth and families, including sports clinics, nature exploration, swimming, and more. Some require pre-registration using this reservation system.
Presented by L.A. County Parks & Recreation
The 2022 – 2023 Winter Shelter Program Now Open in L.A. County
Available through March 31
New flexible Augmented Winter Shelter Program provides motel vouchers to protect the unhoused from inclement weather.
Presented by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
RAPID Survey for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children
Now – January 30
Parents and child care providers of young children (under 6 years old) are invited to participate in a 10-minute survey about the needs and well-being of family households. All who participate will be eligible to receive a gift card. To take the parent survey, click here. To take the provider survey, click here.
Presented by the RAPID survey team at Stanford University and Abriendo Puertas Opening Doors
Free Snack Program at LA County Parks
Now – May 19, Monday – Friday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Various parks throughout L.A. County
Presented by L.A. County Parks & Recreation
Every Body Plays
Now – 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
Early Learning Readiness: Free Child & Caregiver Class (Spanish)
Now – June,Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm: Southeast Rio Vista YMCA, 4801 E. 58th St., Maywood, CA 90270
To register or for more information, call Youth Director Andrea at (323) 588-2256.
Presented by Southeast Rio Vista YMCA
Virtual Meet-ups: New Dads Connect Group
Starting September, weekly, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
To learn more, contact newdadsconnect@jfsla.org or call (213) 332-3421.
Presented by Jewish Family Service LA
Virtual Training: Tools for Wellbeing
January 10 – 31, Tuesdays, 11:00am – 11:45am
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center
Monday, January 23
Focus Group for Adults Diagnosed With Moderate/Severe Asthma
January 23 – February 17
Compensation: $165, following a 75-minute discussion, along with a 20-minute pre-task, about the treatment experiences of adults who have been diagnosed with asthma. To participate in Spanish, or to get more information, contact maggie@lagripperesearch.com or call 847-373-4104.
Presented by LaGrippe Research
Tuesday, January 24
Know Your Rights: Tenant Workshop
January 24, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
No registration necessary. The Zoom meeting ID is 878 0482 6727.
Presented by the Public Counsel and Eastside Leads
Wednesday, January 25
Compassionate Parenting 10-Week Series
January 25 – April 5 (every Wednesday), 10:00am – 12:00pm
To register, email StephanieWard@StandTallParenting.com or call (818)527-5014
Presented by Stand Tall Parenting
Thursday, January 26
Prenatal Yoga Classes
January 26, 9:00am – 10:00am: Providence Wellness and Activity Center, 470 Hawaiian Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744
Takes place every Thursday at 9:00am. No RSVP required.
Presented by Providence Wellness and Activity Center
Virtual Regional Meeting: Reimaging the Black Birthing Experience
January 26, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Presented by The South Los Angeles/South Bay African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative
Black/African American Maternal Mental Health Support Group (Virtual/In-Person)
January 26, 6:00pm – 7:30pm: Virtual or in-person at 236 W. Mountain St., #103, Pasadena, CA 91103
Presented by the Therapeutic Play Foundation
Friday, January 27
Birthing Justice Screening & Discussion – Inglewood
January 27, 5:30pm – 9:00pm: The Miracle Theater; 226 South Market St., Inglewood, CA 90301
Presented by Women in the Room Productions
Saturday, January 28
We don’t know of any events happening today.
Sunday, January 29
We don’t know of any events happening today.