The Stronger Families Blog
Resources

Upcoming Events for the Week of January 9th

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!

January 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

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

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 Los Angeles
Affordable Connectivity Program

Free Rapid & PCR COVID Testing
Dates and times vary: Locations vary
Free 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

Monday, January 9

We don’t know of any events happening on this day.

Tuesday, January 10

Virtual Training: De-escalation of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior
January 10, 9:00am – 11:00am
Presented by DMH + UCLA Learning Center

Webinar: Cognitive Development: Language and Executive Function
January 10, 10:00am – 11:30am
Part of the Growing Brain Basic Webinar Series
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Virtual Training: Tools for Wellbeing
January 10 – 31, Tuesdays, 11:00am – 11:45am
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Virtual Course: Food Literacy for All: Roots: Food, Power & the Climate Crisis
January 10– April 18, Tuesdays, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Presented by the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Systems Initiative (SFSI)

Wednesday, January 11

Virtual Training: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Overview, Screening, Diagnosis and Interventions
January 11 & 20, 9:00am – 4:00pm
To register for this training, you must create an account with eventsHUB.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Mental Health

Incredible Years® Small Group Dinosaur (Treatment) Child Group Leader Training
January 11 – 13, 9:00am – 4:30pm: USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, 3250 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Presented by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Webinar: Collaboratively Pursuing Policy Solutions: Lessons Learned from the USBC
January 11, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Presented by US Breastfeeding Committee

Virtual Training: Skills for Listening and Engaging
January 11, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Thursday, January 12

Virtual Training: Introductory/Refresher of Motivational Interviewing
January 12, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Presented by National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Virtual Training: Project Management Learning Lab Series
January 12 & 26, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by Community Clinic Association

Webinar: Advancing Health Equity through Community Partnerships and Investments
January 12, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by FindHelp

Friday, January 13

Promoting Community Financial Resilience for Life & Wellness: Financial Planning: If Not Now, When and How?
January 13, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Presented by UCLA and Healthy African American Families (HAAF)

Saturday, January 14

Florence-Firestone Pedestrian Plan Community Workshop
January 14, 10:00am – 11:30am: Washington Park, 8908 S. Maie Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90002
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Public Health and Step by Step Los Angeles County

Sunday, January 15

We don’t know of any events happening on this day.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *