Upcoming Events for the Week of March 4th

March 4, 2024March 1, 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!

March is:

Ongoing Opportunities

Foster Youth Tax Credit Services
John Burton Advocates for Youth is offering free self-filing tax services and resources. File your taxes to potentially claim a $1,117 tax credit for current & former foster youth.

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.

Guaranteed Income Program for Pregnant Mothers
This program provides money to expecting mothers who are 8–27 weeks pregnant and live in Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Riverside or San Francisco Counties.
Presented by The California Abundant Birth Project

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.

National Head Start Fellowship Program Accepting Applications
Application period: February 1 – March 14
This fellowship offers a highly competitive leadership opportunity for local Head Start program staff and those in the field of early childhood and family services.
Presented by Office of Head Start

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

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.

Help Me Grow LA Is Hiring Parents
Part-time Family Partner positions are available for parents in SPAs 1, 3, and 7. Family Partners help other parents navigate the system by giving practical advice and resources. They also advocate for improvements in their local communities. Here’s the link to apply, and here’s a flyer with details.

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

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

Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA) Winter Shelter Program
Open Until March 31, 2024
Are you in need of shelter? Call the Winter Shelter Hotline at 800-548-6047 or visit LAHSA.org/winter-shelter to find a shelter near you.
Presented by LAHSA

Medi-Cal’s Medically Tailored Meal Program (MTM)
This program delivers groceries and meals to patients’ homes to help them meet nutritional needs and sustain healthy eating habits. This program provides services for up to 12 weeks. Eligibility and qualifications vary based on health care plan. Go here to learn how to access services.
Presented by Maternal and Child Health Access

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 by the pandemic.

Full Spectrum Child Care
Provides parents and caregivers educational and behavioral support services for children impacted by autism and related disorders. They provide services to meet the child’s needs through individualized programs and comfort.

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

United to House Los Angeles Emergency Renters Assistance Program
The City of Los Angeles has created a new rental assistance program funded through the United to House Los Angeles (ULA) measure to assist low-income residential renters who are at risk of homelessness due to unpaid rent as a result of COVID-19 or other financial hardship. To be eligible, a household must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling and meet the requirements. Click here for more details.

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 of 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)
LAUSD is hiring light bus drivers. Qualified applicants must have a HS diploma / GED, 6+ months of paid experience in 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, and a valid CA school bus driver certificate. Visit the LAUSD jobs website here 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.

Metrolink’s Low-Income Fare Discount Program
Metrolink’s new low-income fare discount program offers a 50% discount on ANY Metrolink ticket or pass for riders with a valid California Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Learn more here.

Help Paying for DWP Energy and Water Bills
There’s up to $15,000 in tax-free utility bill assistance available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) per eligible households. There is no impact on other benefits or public charge determinations. Learn how to apply at Help Is On the Way (ladwp.com). Non-DWP customers can use this search feature to contact a local LIHEAP agency for more information.

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 experiences 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.

Pregnant? Sign up for LAist’s Pregnancy Texting Service
Get answers to your questions about pregnancy, birth and parenting. Text “heybb” to 73224 to sign up.

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 benefits 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 Fall 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 fall 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

Free Snacks for Kids at L.A. County Parks
September 5 – May 24, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Children and youth ages 18 and under receive a “grab and go” nutritious snack that includes vegetables, fruits, seeds, and healthy dairy products like milk, string cheese and yogurt, at 47 locations. This free nutrition program will run for a total of 34 weeks. Go here to see dates and locations.

Youth at Work
Are you aged 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

LA County Library & LA County Library Foundation Partner with Seattle Seahawks Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu
Uchenna Nwosu is partnering with the Library and LA County Library Foundation to fund a My Brother’s Keeper Peer Advocate position at Carson Library for the next three years. If you are interested and want to make an impact in the Carson community you can learn more about the MBK Peer Advocate position and complete an interest form here.

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

Funding Opportunities: Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Care Grant
There are multiple programs with separate funding available. Program Area 38 (“Mommy Support”) and Program Area 41 (“Mommy Mentors”) may be of particular interest. See links to all applications and recordings of the Application Walk-Through webinar. Application deadline: January 5, 2024, 5:00pm
Presented by the Amity Foundation and the LA County Justice Care and Opportunities Dept.

Facility Fee Waivers for Child Care Providers for Infant & Toddler Spaces (Spanish)
The L.A. County Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education (OAECE), in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is offering facility fee waivers for renovation or construction projects for child care facilities that need plan reviews and/or permits.
Presented by OAECE and others

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 agencies in 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.

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.

Caring Families: The Future Is Now: Designing a Support Plan for Your Adult Child or Family Member (6-Week Series)
Begins January, Various Time & Dates
Class series for parents and caregivers of an adult family member with developmental disabilities.
Presented by Caring Families

Free Art Classes at Florence Library
Through May 20, Varies: Florence Library, 7807 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Registration is required due to limited space.
Presented by Project Art LA

Monday, March 4

Hybrid Convention: Nurturing Strong Relationships to Activate Your Comprehensive Prevention Plan
March 4 – 5, Varies
Presented by Children’s Bureau of Southern California and others

Virtual Workshop: Supporting Father Involvement
March 4 – 8, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Please contact Mindy May at mindy.may@childrens.harvard.edu for more details or to inquire about registration.
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Tuesday, March 5

Webinar: A Place to Play: Working Towards Fairness of Place for All Children
March 5, 9:00am
Presented by Center on the Developing Child Harvard University

Virtual Training: Provider Wellbeing: Trauma Stewardship
March 5, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Wednesday, March 6

Webinar: Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to Help Children Learn with Nature
March 6, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Presented by Samara Early Learning and Engagement Strategies, LLC

Webinar: Legislative Advocacy: What You Need to Know
March 6, 11:00am
Presented by The Children’s Movement of California

Webinar Series: The Growing Brain Basics
March 6 – 27, 9:30am – 12:00pm
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Save the Date: Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change
March 6, 27 & April 17, 12:00pm
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Women’s History Month Celebration
March 6, 12:00pm – 2:00pm: Service Area 6 Peer Resource Center (at Behavioral Health Center, MLK Campus), 12021 Wilmington Ave., Building 18, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Presented by Service Area 6 Peer Resource Center and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Virtual Training: Becoming a Trauma-Informed Leader: Preparing for Change at the Personal & Team Level
March 6, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Presented by CalTrin

Webinar: California Prenatal Screening Program: Expansion of the Prenatal Screening Panel
March 6, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Presented by California Prenatal Program

Thursday, March 7

Unlock Your Money’s Full Potential
March 7, 9:00am – 9:45am
Part of the Women’s History Month Series
Presented by Women Talk Money and Fidelity

What to Grow & How to Sow: Successful Container & Small Space Gardening
March 7, 10:00am – 11:00am: Curtis Tucker Center for Community Wellness, 123 W Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301
Presented by CalFresh and Catholic Charities of Los Angeles

Virtual Workshop: Inside a Preschooler’s Mind: The Touchpoints of Preschool
March 7, 10:00am
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Virtual Training: Life Raft for Kids: Creating Sustainable Programs at the Local Level
March 7, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Presented by CalTrin

Webinar: Teacher Time Series: Plan, Observe, Tinker and Teach in Preschool
March 7, 12:00pm
Presented by Office of Head Start

Citizens’ Oversight Advisory Board Meeting
March 7, 1:00pm: Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple St, Room 374-A, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Presented by Measure H

Virtual Event: Gloria Steinem: A Lifetime of Feminism, Organizing, and Social Change
March 7, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Presented by CalEndow Live

Friday, March 8

Biennial Conference: Discovery and Power to Advance Women’s Mental Health Across the Lifespan
March 8 – 10: Benson Hotel & Faculty Club, 13025 East Montview Blvd., Aurora, CO 80045Presented by North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics & Gynecology

Saturday, March 9

Family Friendly Hike & Meet-Up
March 9, 9:00am – 12:00pm: Location TBA
Part of the Black Birth Workers Community Wellness Series.
Presented by Maternal Mental Health NOW and the Los Angeles County Perinatal Mental Health Black Birth Workers Advisory Council

Free Car Seat Inspection Appointments
March 9, 10:00am – 2:00pm (by appointment): Applied Technology Center High School, 1200 W Mines Ave., Montebello, CA 90640
Meet with certified CPSTs (child passenger safety technicians) to learn how to properly adjust and install your car seat.
Presented by the MLK Healing Center

Family Math Workshops
March 9, 11:00am – 12:00pm: 11833 Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059
Presented by PBS SoCal & Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Lili of the Valley: An Evening of Poetry, Music, and Community
March 9, 5:30pm – 7:30pm: Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore, 12677 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar, CA 91342
Presented by Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore

Sunday, March 10

We don’t know of any events happening today.