Upcoming Events for the Week of July 15th

July 15, 2024 LA Best Babies Network Los Angeles County, Upcoming Events

Here is a roundup of this week’s conferences, webinars, and trainings for home visitors and others who work with pregnant people 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, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube!

July is:

Ongoing Opportunities

$15 Million in Funding Available for Innovative Outreach That Connects More Families to WIC
Applications due September 6, 2024
The WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (CIAO) Project Team is making the funding available through the WIC CIAO Round 2 Subgrants Request for Application (RFA). Funding will help subgrantees develop, implement, and evaluate innovative outreach strategies to increase WIC awareness, participation, and benefit redemption, and reduce disparities in program delivery.

Your client featured on BlackInfantsAndFamilies.org
Our friends at L.A. County’s African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) want to highlight families who have benefited from home visiting programs. If your client is up for it, please encourage them to fill out this brief form.

Pregnancy Research Project
The PRO-Health research team at California State University, Long Beach, is studying the experiences of parents and their babies during pregnancy and after birth. They are recruiting participants who are pregnant and at least 18 years old. Gift cards provided. See their flyer (English/Spanish) here. To sign up or learn more contact 562-285-7074 or prohealth@csulb.edu or visit bit.ly/Interest-RFBH.

SUN Bucks: A New Summer Food Program
Children who qualify for free or reduced school meals through a school meal application or an Alternative Income Form, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. You don’t need to do anything to sign up. SUN Bucks provides $40 per month for food for June, July and August 2024 ($120 total)

Dive Into Summer With L.A. County Parks & Recreation
LA County Parks & Rec is hosting pool parties to kick-off summer at public pools. Families can enjoy free recreational swim, exciting games, fun giveaways, music, delicious food, and much more.

What are the greatest needs for children and families in L.A. County?
The L.A. County Department of Public Health’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division wants your feedback! Help them identify priorities as they work with the California Department of Public Health to develop a five-year plan. Read more and complete their Needs Assessment Prioritization Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SelectMCAHPriorities

Request FREE COVID-19 Home Antigen Tests to Distribute in Your Community
The L.A. County Department of Public Health is providing home antigen COVID-19 test kits to agencies in high-need communities. If your agency is interested in distributing these in the community, submit a request here.

Virtual Focus Group Opportunities (Spanish)
EurekaFacts is seeking Spanish-speaking Hispanic/Latina women, preferably of Mexican or Central American heritage, who are 18 or older to join a voluntary 90-minute focus group. The groups will be discussing women’s health experiences related to health and culture. A $75 incentive will be offered to each participant in exchange for their time and work.

California Launches Free Digital Behavioral Health Platforms for Children and Families
The Behavioral Health Virtual Services Platform consists of two independent programs that work with two different populations: BrightLife Kids, created by Brightline, is intended for children aged 0 to 12 and their parents or caregivers. Kooth created Soluna, an app for teenagers and young adults aged 13–25 years old. Each app offers free coaching, educational content, assessment/tools, and care navigation services.

Calling home visiting supervisors! The Supporting and Strengthening the Home Visiting Workforce project team needs your expertise to develop a measure that is relevant and useful to the field. Complete the 1-hour survey and receive a $35 gift card. View the flyer for more information.

Freedom Schools
June 24 – August 2
Community Coalition is hosting this Children’s Defense Fund program, which provides free summer school and snacks for students in grades 3-12. For more information, contact Jathan Melendez at Jathan@cocosouthla.org. Complete the interest form here.

Free Citizenship & Immigration Resources at L.A. County Libraries
LA County Library offers Citizenship in a Bag, a toolkit with resources for customers seeking to obtain US Citizenship. This toolkit in a bag contains a variety of educational materials for the naturalization exam, including flashcards, multimedia tools, and a FREE citizenship folder with valuable resources that customers can keep. Borrow or place a hold on a Citizenship in a Bag toolkit here.

The L.A. County Arts Internship Program Is Back!
Over 200 paid internships for college students available at more than 160 arts organizations across L.A. County. Both full-time and part-time opportunities. Learn more and apply at www.LACountyArts.org/internships.

Recruiting Participants to Be Interviewed for a Dissertation Study
A UCLA doctoral student is looking to interview Black parents/guardians of children 0-5 with a developmental delay, to participate in a dissertation study. The purpose is to learn about the decision-making process of seeking formal developmental screenings and early intervention services for their child. Participants will receive $100 in compensation.

Tiny Nests; Research Participant Opportunity for Expecting Parents
A USC grad student is seeking participants to engage in a study and share their voice. Her study is looking at how expecting parents engage in nesting and place-making behaviors during pregnancy. Participants can receive up to $125 in compensation.

Housing and Utility Assistance for Ukrainians
Open Until September 30, 2024
Are you a newcomer in Los Angeles County from Ukraine under the Uniting for Ukraine Program, a Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee, or Non-Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee? Housing and Utility Assistance may be available for you. Ukrainian refugees may apply for the Refugee Employment Program (REP) by phone at (818) 956-0500 ext. 100 or (213) 318-5716.

Virtual Focus Group Opportunities (Spanish)
EurekaFacts is seeking Spanish-speaking Hispanic/Latina women, preferably of Mexican or Central American heritage, who are 18 or older to join a voluntary 90-minute focus group. The groups will be discussing women’s health experiences related to health and culture. A $75 incentive will be offered to each participant in exchange for their time and work.

Parent Ambassador Leaders (PALS) Department of Public Health – School COVID-19 Prevention Program(Spanish)
Parents and Guardians of students at TK – 12 Los Angeles County Schools can apply to join the Parent Ambassador Leaders Program to learn about student health and school success.
Presented by Department of Public Health

Free Vaccine Clinics at Your Local Library
Stay healthy – get a flu vaccination and the updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine. Health insurance is not required but will be requested from those who are insured. See when this is offered at your local library branch.
Presented by LA County Department of Public Health and LA County Library

Help Me Grow LA Call Center Is Open: 833-903-3972
Family Partners are taking calls to assist families in L.A. County who have children with special needs or developmental concerns. Learn more about Help Me Grow LA at HelpMeGrowLA.org.

Emergency Rent Assistance Available for CalWORKs Families
CalWORKs customers, who are behind on rent, may visit their local DPSS office to request Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction (EAPE). Download the EAPE fact sheet to learn more. Submit an application to your CalWORKs Eligibility Worker.

Inglewood Oil Field Communities Health Impact Survey
If you live 1.5 miles of the Inglewood Oil Field, participate in a survey to understand the health impacts on residents that live near it. The survey is confidential and voluntary. For more information contact Ms. Ha Luong at (310) 957-9209 or email haluong97@g.ucla.edu
Presented by LA Public Health and UCLA

LAUSD is Offering Devices for Virtual Tutoring Services
LAUSD students receiving tutoring services through LAUSD may access learning devices, like laptops, to virtually connect with their tutor and/or complete assignments online. Request a device at LAUSD Device and Connectivity.
Presented by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

L.A. County Mortgage Relief Program for Landlords in High Need Areas
Qualified applicants can receive up to $30,000 to eliminate outstanding mortgage or utility debt that was caused from the pandemic.

Let the City of L.A. Know About Your Child Care Needs
Take this quick survey to help the City of L.A. learn about your family’s needs and how they can better support you.
Presented by Child Care Policy Unit – Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department

Parents and Families of Children Ages 0-8 living in LA County, Make Your Voice Count! (Spanish)
Register to join Families Together for Kids in LA County to share your experiences and opinions through online surveys that can improve the future for all children in LA County. Each survey will give you the opportunity to receive a $5 gift card for your participation.
Presented by First 5 LA

Apply to Be a Bus Driver With LA Unified School District (LAUSD)
Applicants must have a HS diploma/GED, 6+ months of paid experience driving a bus/truck, or completed an LAUSD bus driver course, a valid CA Driver’s license Class A or B with passenger and air brake endorsement. Visit LAUSDJobs.org for additional information.

CalFresh Benefits Market Match
Use the CalFresh Market Match program at your neighborhood farmers’ market to maximize your CalFresh rewards. When you use your EBT card at a farmers’ market to receive CalFresh benefits worth $15, you will also receive $15.

Get Help with Southern California Edison – Energy Saving Assistance Program
Southern California Edison’s Energy Savings Assistance program helps cover the cost of new energy-efficient appliances. The program is available to homeowners and renters if income qualifications are met.
Presented by Southern California Edison

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.

Consumer Relief for Natural Gas Bills
Various resources are available to assist income-qualified customers with high gas bills. Learn more here.
Presented by SoCalGas

CSU Dominguez Hills Study: Seeking Participants Who are Expecting Their First Child
Are you currently pregnant for the first time? You are invited to participate in a new research study at CSU Dominguez Hills focused on daily emotions and experience during pregnancy. You can earn up to $150 for participation in this study. For more information, contact perch@csudh.edu or call (323) 379-9118.
Study conducted by the CSU Dominguez Hills Department of Psychology

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.

Golden Bear Pass
CalWORKs families can receive a complimentary 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

WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit Increase
Through September 30, 2024
WIC families can get extra money to buy fruits and vegetables at WIC-approved stores and farmers’ markets. Use this tool to find your nearest farmers’ market that accepts WIC, and learn more about the benefit here.

Teen Parent Prosper Program
Pregnant or parenting teens living in the City of Los Angeles are eligible for this 800-hour paid internship program. The opportunity is limited to the first 40 eligible applicants. Apply here or contact Claudia Castillo at (213) 808-8652 or Claudia.Castillo@lacity.org for more information.
Presented by the City of Los Angeles’ Community Investment for Families Department and others

Registration Open for Summer Classes and Activities at LA County Parks Whether you’re taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill or being more active, LA County Parks invites you to join a class! They are offering a variety of in-person and virtual classes to help you get active, stay healthy, and enjoy a new hobby. From yoga and sports to music and arts, there is a class for everyone! Check out their fall classes and register for an activity at reservations.lacounty.gov.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation

Youth at Work
Are you age 14-24 and looking for a job? You can earn money while learning valuable life and work skills. This program provides access to paid work-based learning, work readiness, personal enrichment training, academic and career development, and advanced career services. Apply here.
Presented by Youth@Work

UCLA Study Focus Groups
Participate in focus groups and receive incentives by giving your feedback on the new UCLA wellness app. They are recruiting high school students and parents of high school students. To learn more about the study, contact Christine Lee at 714-822-0649 or at kungeunlee@mednet.ucla.edu.

Decolonized Nonviolent Parenting: A Practice for Raising Empathetic, Grounded, & Socially Conscious Kids (6-Week Course)
Receive support in developing a parenting style that acknowledges your children’s journey and develops them to be empathic, grounded, and socially conscious via the lenses of familial decolonization, nonviolence, reparenting, and conscious child development.
Presented by Latinx Parenting

Participate in Research Study on Breast Milk
The Lundquist Institute is conducting a breast milk research study. Participants (who are currently breastfeeding) will conduct a 4-hour study visit and will receive a $100 gift card. Learn more here or contact MacKenzie Cervantes at breastmilk@lundquist.org or 310-974-9538.

Direct Cash Assistance to Pregnant People
The Pregnancy Assistance Income with Dignity (P.A.I.D) program pays $1,000/month of unconditional income for 18 months. This program is designed to reduce economic burden and improve health outcomes of pregnant people in L.A. County. Learn more and apply at ncjwla.org/paid.

Virtual Workshop: Turtle Talk: Collectively Raising Indige – Babies
Through October 18, Fridays, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

This Week’s Events

Monday, July 15

Virtual Training: The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers
July 15 – 26, Varies
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Public Hearing: California Prenatal Screening Program
July 15, 11:00am – 12:00pm
The public hearing notice letter and the emergency regulation text may be accessed here. To join the meeting, click here. The meeting ID is 262 080 788 494, and the passcode is cxAgan
Presented by California Department of Public Health

Virtual Workshop: Addressing Behaviors that Challenge
July 15 – 31, 4:00pm – 6:00pm, Mondays and Wednesdays
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Tuesday, July 16

Summer Stars: Free Summer Tutoring for Grades 1 – 6 Tutoring Program (Math)
July 16 – August 8, Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited. For more information and to complete an interest form, visit LACountyLibrary.org/summer-stars.
Presented by the L.A. County Library

Webinar: SIDS Awareness Month – Planning
July 16, 10:00am
Presented by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Virtual Training: Calculating the Cost of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
July 16, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Webinar: WIC CIAO Round 2 Subgrants RFA Overview and Evaluation (English and Spanish
July 16, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
This webinar will provide an overview of the WIC CIAO Subgrant Projects RFA and participation in the WIC CIAO evaluation.
Presented by the WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (WIC CIAO) Project

Virtual Training: 2024 Updates to the Protective Factors Framework
July 16, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Presented by the California Training Institute

Work Ready: Successful Re-Entry for LA County Residents
July 16, Tuesday, 11:00am – 12:15pm
Presented by L.A. County Library

Virtual Parenting Group: Connecting Communities (conectando comunidades)
July 16, 3:30pm
Join for helpful discussions about parenting while building a network of support.
Presented by WIN Los Angeles

Wednesday, July 17

Gardening Workshop
July 17, 10:00am – 11:30am: Curtis R. Tucker Health Center, 123 Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301
Presented CalFresh and Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc

Virtual Workshop: Helping Kids Heal: 4 Key Ingredients
July 17, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Service Planning Area Five (SPA5) Birth to Five Collaborative

Webinar: Plain Language for Coordinators
July 17, 11:00am
Presented by Literacy Works

Webinar: The Health Care Provider’s Role Under the New Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Supporting Patients with Work Accommodations for Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation, Infertility, and Related Conditions
July 17, 5:00pm
Presented by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and the Center for WorkLife Law

Incredible Years^® Preschool/Early Childhood BASIC Authorized Parent Group Leader Training
July 17 – 19, 9:00am – 4:30pm: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 600, Education & Training Center, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Registration forms must be mailed.
Presented by USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Thursday, July 18

Webinar: Cultural Context: Bridging Generational Gaps in BIPOC Mental Health
July 18, 10:00am
Presented by Mental Health America

Webinar: The Magic of Music for Infants and Toddlers
July 18, 12:00pm
Presented by Office of Head Start

Virtual Meeting: Empowering Voters. Connecting with League of Women Votes
July 18, 12:00pm
Presented by National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers

Webinar: A Discussion on Reproductive Health Access Post-Roe in 2024
July 18, 12:00pm
Learn about recent Supreme Court cases and Federal legislation that impacts abortion access, contraception access, and reproductive rights.
Presented by the Los Angeles County Women’s Health Equity Coalition

Virtual Activity Session: Making Memories (creando memorias)
July 18, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Enjoy quality family time through story time, arts & crafts, music, movement, and more.
Presented by WIN Los Angeles

Friday, July 19

Youth Health & Wellness Expo/Expo de Salud y Bienestar Juvenil
July 19, 6:00pm – 8:30pm: Salesian Family Youth Center, 2228 East 4^th St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
All activities will be presented in English and Spanish. The event is open to all youth and their families.
Presented by Visión y Compromiso and others

Virtual Training: ASQ® Online Pro/Enterprise Account Hands-On Learning Sessions
July 19, 8:00am – 2:00pm
Presented by Brookes Publishing

Virtual Course: Navigating Identity Salience, Power, Privilege & Inequalities
July 19, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by Community Clinic Association

Saturday, July 20

46^th Annual Alondra Park Ho’olaule’a Hawaiian Festival
July 20 – 21, 9:00am – 5:00pm: Alondra Park, 3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Lawndale, CA 90260
This event will feature Polynesian entertainment, arts and crafts, games, prizes, island-style food, and more. Parking is available at El Camino College and neighborhood parking is free.
Presented by the Hawaiian Inter-Club Council of Southern California

Sunday, July 21

I don’t know of any events happening today.