Upcoming Events for the Week of July 29th

July 29, 2024 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 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:

Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
(Check out the National Alliance of Mental Illness toolkit here for Minority Mental Health Awareness)
International Group B Strep Awareness Month
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month
Park and Recreation Month
UV Safety Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Disability Pride Month
National Therapeutic Recreation Week (July 7 – 13)
EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week (July 7– 13)
National Parents’ Day (July 28)
World Hepatitis Day (July 28)
National Disability Independence Day (July 26)

Ongoing Opportunities

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.

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)

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. The 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)

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

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.

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.

RAPID California Survey: Make Your Voice Heard
Deadline: July 31, 2024
Opening Doors and RAPID Survey Project want to hear from families that live in California and have children 6 years old and younger. You will be eligible to receive a $5 gift card after completing the 10–15-minute survey. Families with children 3-5 years old will have a chance to receive an additional $20 gift card for sharing their experience finding a preschool or childcare.

Got an Eviction Notice? You Have Rights! See Stay Housed LA’s resources.
An informed tenant is an empowered tenant. Stay Housed LA helps you understand and protect your rights. Use their online resources, attend a tenant education workshop or a legal clinic, and get information about the free legal services available to eligible tenants facing eviction on the Stay Housed LA website.

Interested in starting a small business? See how the Economic Mobility Initiative might be able to help.
The Economic Mobility Initiative offers focused training to small businesses, flexible funds for starting or growing a business, and curriculum-based education to early-stage business owners. Complete this form to see how they may be able to help you on your journey.

Positive Parenting, Thriving Kids
Child Mind Institute, in partnership with the State of California, has launched a series of free videos and print resources with practical, evidence-based information and skills to address your most common parenting challenges. This series covers a wide range of topics, including schoolwork, technology, and difficult situations such as death and grief.

Participate in the Metro and LADOT 2024 Mobility Wallet Pilot Program
Application period closes in early September
The City of Los Angeles and Metro are offering residents of LA County a chance to participate in the Mobility Wallet Pilot Program. This program will allow eligible participants to receive a prepaid debit card with up to $1,800 for a year that can be used for eligible transportation purposes. This program is limited to 2,000 participants.

Marina Del Rey Summer Concert Series
July 20 – August 17, Saturdays, 7:00pm: Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors

Substance Use Disorder Workshops
August 6 – October 15, 11:00am – 12:00pm, Antelope Valley Wellness Community, 335-B East Avenue K6, Lancaster, CA 93535
Presented by Antelope Valley Wellness Community

$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.

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.

Get 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.

This Week’s Events

Monday, July 29

Webinar: Irth Birth Without Bias Partner
July 29, 10:00am – 11:00am
Presented by Irth Birth Without Bias

Webinar: How Community Engagement Enhances Clinical Care: Promoting LDA Awareness
July 29, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Presented by California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative

DC: 0–5 Clinical Training at LEARN Conference
July 29 – 30, 9:00am – 4:00pm: Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Free Professional Development Workshop Series for Artists
July 29 – October 2, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
This online workshop series is designed to build skills and advance careers in public art.
Presented by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture

Tuesday, July 30

Training: Building Behavioral Health into Emergency Response Plans
July 30, 9:00am – 12:00pm: Community Clinic Association of LA County, 445 S Figueroa St., #2100, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Presented by Community Clinic Association of LA County

Webinar: Activating Connections: Mobilizing Communities to Prevent Human Trafficking
July 30, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Presented by U.S Department of Health and Human Services

Virtual Event: Work Ready: Dare to get a Job
July 30, 11:00am – 12:15pm
Presented by LA County Library

Virtual Event: Author Talk: Telling your Own Story in a Graphic Novel with Dan Santat
July 30, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by LA County Library

Financial Literacy Workshop
July 30, 11:00am -12:00pm: TELACU Center 5400 E Olympic Blvd. Suite 210 (2nd floor), Los Angeles, CA 90022
Presented by TELACU and Navy Federal Credit Union

Healthy Eating Resource Fair
July 30, 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Community Resource Center, 2864 W. Imperial Hwy, Inglewood, CA 90303
Presented by the Community Resource Center

Webinar: WIC CIAO Round 2 Subgrants RFA Budget & Personnel (English and Spanish)
July 30, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
This webinar will assist applicants in preparing their WIC CIAO Subgrant Project Budget, including the Budget Template and Budget Narrative.
Presented by the WIC Community Innovation and Outreach (WIC CIAO) Project

Virtual Training: Overview of the Protective Factors Framework
July 30, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Interpretación al español disponible/Spanish language interpretation available.
Presented by the California Training Institute

Wednesday, July 31

Webinar: Working with Native American Fathers: A Spotlight on Three Ongoing Programs
July 31, 9:00am – 10:30am
Presented by National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

Webinar: Disappearing Options: Tracking the Story on Reproductive Health Care
July 31, 10:00am – 11:00am
Presented by the USC Center for Health Journalism

ZERO to THREE LEARN Conference
July 31 – August 1, 9:00am – 4:00pm: Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Webinar: Disappearing Options: Tracking the story on Reproductive Health Care
July 31, 10:00am – 11:00am
Presented by USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism

Virtual Event: Protein & Nutrition: Why is Protein Important?
July 31, 12:00pm – 12:30pm
To register, email Ann Lin at ann.lin901@commonspirit.org
Presented by Dignity Health — California Hospital Medical Center

Teens Talk
July 31, 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Community Coalition 8101 S Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044
Presented by Community Coalition

Thursday, August 1

Free Baby Expo & Resource Fair
August 1, 9:30am – 12:30pm: Zev Yaroslavsky Family Support Center, 7555 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91405
Presented by the LA County Department of Public Health and others

Virtual Training: Tribal Partnerships are Prevention
August 1, 9:00am – 11:00am
Presented by the California Training Institute

Virtual Training: Implicit Bias Training with Dr. Sayida Peprah-Wilson
August 1, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program (CPSP)

Back to School Resource Fair
August 1, 12:00pm – 3:00pm: MLK Center for Public Health, 11833 S. Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059
Free school supplies and backpack giveaways for students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must be present.
Presented by MLK Center for Public Health

Webinar: Ten Tips for Creating Supportive Environments That Can Prevent Behaviors That Challenge Us
August 1, 12:00pm
Presented by Office of Head Start

Media Industry Expo and Job Fair
August 1, 2:00pm – 4:00pm: Woodbury University, 7500 Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91504
Presented by the City Of Burbank

Friday, August 2

B-Deck Birding & Gardening Club
August 2, 4:00pm: Semel B-Deck, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Presented by UCLA Ecological Medicine & Psychedelic Studies Initiative

The Just and the Blind
August 2, 8:00pm: The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E Los Angeles, CA 90068
Poetry, music, movement, and projections guide a journey through the eyes of Black and Brown fathers.
Presented by USC Vision & Voices

Saturday, August 3

Back-to-School Bash
August 3, 11:00am – 2:00pm: Children’s Bureau, 525 West Avenue P-4 Palmdale, CA 93551
Presented by All for Kids (Children’s Bureau)

Sunday, August 4

We don’t know of any events happening today.