Upcoming Events for the Week of May 1st

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 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, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

May is:

Ongoing Opportunities

File with Free Tax Prep LA – Maximize Your Return for Free
People who make less than $60,000 annually may be eligible to file for free at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. IRS-certified volunteers provide free, basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Click here to find a location near you.

Fundamentals of Fatherhood Program
The City of Long Beach is helping fathers develop the confidence and skills needed to become better parents. Sign up for the Fundamentals of Fatherhood program and connect with a community of fathers. For more information call (562) 570-3285 or visit Fundamentals of Fatherhood Program for more information.
Presented by City of Long Beach

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 New 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 $5,000 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

USC Study on Early Childhood Education Enrollment in California: Seeking Participants
Parents and guardians living in California who have at least one child aged 10 or younger are invited to take this survey. If you have any questions about this study, please contact Liz Stanfield, USC lead researcher, at estanfie@usc.edu.

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.

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.

Free-Breathing Liver MRI Study: Seeking Participants Between 1-6 Months of Age
Your family can receive a $125 Target gift card and a free-of-charge MRI scan of your child’s liver for participating in a 60–90 minute research scan. The aim of the study is to further refine, validate, and test the efficacy of Free-Breathing MRI (magnetic response imaging) for the evaluation of body composition and liver disease in infants.
Presented by UCLA Health and others

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

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

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.

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

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

Spring 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

WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit Increase
Through September 30
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

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

Monday, May 1

NatCon 2023: Using Certified Peer Specialist for Improved Maternal Mental Health
May 1 – 3, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Presented by Policy Center for Mental Health

Virtual Training: Critical Competencies for Infant – Toddler Educators Micro Training-of-Trainers Area 3: Supporting Language and Literacy Development
May 1 – 23, Varies
Presented by ZERO TO THREE

Virtual Course: Breastfeeding Basics
May 1, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
This is offered monthly. See additional dates below and here.
Presented by MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach

Virtual Summit: All the Feels: Exploring the Emotional Journey of Parenthood
May 1 – 5, Varies
Presented by Oath Care

Tuesday, May 2

Webinar: Special Fireside Chat on California Health Policy
May 2, 10:15am – 11:15am
Presented by LA Area of Chamber of Commerce

Webinar: Early Efforts: Supporting Early Childhood Mental Health
May 2, 11:00am
Presented by Hunt Institute

Webinar: Let’s talk Perinatal Equity and Moving Beyond Implicit Bias Training
May 2, 12:00pm
Presented by California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative

Virtual Event: 2023 Virtual BTC National Forum: All About Fathers and the Men in Children’s Lives
May 2 – 4, 8:00am – 2:00pm
Live Spanish translation will be available.
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Parenting Skills Workshops
May 2 – 23, Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Presented by San Gabriel Valley Maternal Mental Health Workgroup and others

Infant Massage Classes
May 2 – 23, Tuesdays, 4:00pm
RSVP is required, and you must join the first session in order to enroll in the series.
Presented by Child Care Resource Center

Wednesday, May 3

Virtual Event: T. Berry Brazelton Award Ceremony Honoring Betty Bardige
May 3, 12:30pm
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Webinar: Info session on the Richard Atlas Early Childhood Leadership Initiative
May 3, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
The Initiative is a 5-day in-person retreat (August 21-25), followed by a 1-day in-person convening (November 3). Learn more here.
Presented by the Rockwood Leadership Institute, in partnership with the Atlas Family Foundation

Virtual Training: Burnout Prevention
May 3, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Presented by Centralized Training Academy

Thursday, May 4

Newborn Behavioral Observations System (NBO) Training Program
May 4 & 5, 6:00am – 2:00pm: Boston, MA
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

CalFresh Community Kick-off Event and Resource Fair
May 4, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Amelia Mayberry Park, 13201 Meyers Rd., Whittier, CA 90605
Presented by Department of Public Social Services and others

Child Development Workshop for Parents and Caregivers
May 4, 9:30am – 11:00am
This is offered monthly. See additional dates below and here.
Presented by Help Me Grow LA and others

Webinar: Supporting Families with Relactation and Induction
May 4, 10:00am – 12:30pm
Use the code “LABBN” to waive your registration fee.
Presented by BreastfeedLA, LA Best Babies Network, and the Los Angeles County Perinatal & Early Childhood Home Visitation Consortium

Webinar: Improving Health Literacy for Families
May 4, 10:00am
Presented by the Office of Head Start National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety

Congressional Briefing: Unveiling the New Maternal Mental Health State Report Cards and Policy Roadmap
May 4, 10:30am – 11:45am
Presented by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

Webinar: Responding to Persistent Challenging Behaviors in Preschool
May 4, 12:00pm
Spanish translation available.
Presented by National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety and Teacher Time

Virtual Training: Maternal Mental Health Among Asian American & Pacific Islander Communities
May 4, 12:00pm
Presented by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

Friday, May 5

L.A. County Day Fair
May 5 – 29: 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
$8 admission for LA County residents
Presented by FairPlex

Saturday, May 6

Special Needs Awareness and Resource Fair
May 6, 10:00am – 12:00pm: Apollo Park, 12544 Rives Ave, Downey, CA 90242
Presented by City of Downey Park & Recreation Department

Community Mental Health Awareness Fair
May 6, 10:00am – 2:00pm: ONEgeneration, 18255 Victory Blvd., Reseda, CA 91335
Presented by Take Action for Mental Health LA County and others

Sunday, May 7

Playing Is Learning Event
May 7, 12:00pm – 4:00pm: Washington Park, 865 E Grand Ave., Pomona, CA 91766
Presented by Pomona’s Promise Early Childhood Committee for Young Children and their Families and others