Upcoming Events for the Week of May 8th

May 8, 2023 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, 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. Find a nearby location.

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.

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 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.

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.

Food Giveaways
See our list of events across L.A. County.

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.

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

L.A. County Parks Spring Classes
Find free classes all over the County, ranging from arts and recreation to fitness, health, and wellness. Browse/search classes and sign up here.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation

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 8

Virtual Training: Connecting the Rainbow, Healing Perinatal Trauma
May 8 – 9, 6:00am – 3:00pm
Presented by Touchstone Institute

Virtual Training: The Conversation Guide for Professionals on Substance Use, Children, and Families
May 8, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Presented by National Health Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety

Virtual Meeting: LGBTQ2IA+ Families Then and Now
May 8 – June 6, Mondays, Varies
Spanish Translation provided.
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Tuesday, May 9

Virtual Training: Honoring Each Person’s Experience to Support Mental Health
May 9, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Part of the Supporting Everyone’s Mental Health Series
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Virtual Training: Child and Family Team Facilitator Training
May 9 & 10, 9:00am – 2:00pm
To register for this training, you must create an account with eventsHUB.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Mental Health

Save the Date: Institute of Health Advancement’s 22^nd Health Literacy Conference
May 9 – 11, TBA
Registration is open!
Presented by Health Literacy Solutions Center

Wednesday, May 10

Adult Mental Health First Aid Certification Training
May 10, 8:30am – 5:00pm: The California Endowment, Joshua Tree Room, 1000 Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Presented by LA Best Babies Network

Virtual Town Hall for Parents: Protecting Pregnant & Postpartum Workers
May 10, 10:00am
Presented by Parents Together and others

Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 10, 11:30am – 2:00pm: Adventist Health White Memorial, 1720 E. Cesar E Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033
RSVP to Bernadine at 323–268–5000, ext. 5849
Presented by Adventist Health White Memorial

Thursday, May 11

Virtual Training: Words Matter: Finding Gender Inclusive Vocabulary Grounded in Heart
May 11, 9:00am – 10:00am
Presented by Community Clinic Association of LA County

Webinar: Local, State, and Federal Innovations: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Our Youth
May 11, 9:00am – 10:00am
Presented by Los Angeles Unified School District and the National Alliance on Mental Illness

Virtual Meeting: A Strategic View of Maternal and Child Health in California
May 11, 10:00am – 11:30am
Presented by the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce

Virtual Training Series: Navigating Challenging Conversations
May 11, 18, & 25, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Is Your Youth Covered? Navigating Insurance Through Transition
May 11, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Presented by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Friday, May 12

Virtual Training: Role of Clinician: Participating in the Child and Family Team Process
May 12, 9:00am – 12:00pm
To register for this training, you must create an account with eventsHUB.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Mental Health

Virtual Training: Grief and Loss: Supporting Children, Youth, and Families
May 12, 9:00am – 1:00pmTo register for this training, you must create an account with eventsHUB.
Presented by the L.A. County Department of Mental Health

Virtual Meeting: Supervisor Learning Exchange: Understanding FSP Through a Logic Model Lens
May 12, 11:00am
Presented by DMH + UCLA Wellbeing for LA Learning Center

Saturday, May 13

Virtual Meeting: Saturday Morning Listen
May 13, 8:30am – 9:30am
This is a time to connect with peers in the field and share thoughts on current issues. Register in advance to get the link.
Presented by Infant Development Association of California

The Healing Hear Here Circle (Support with Grief and Loss)
May 13, 1:00pm – 2:30pm: Armory Center for the Arts, 145 North Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Presented by LA Freewaves and Take Action Mental Health LA

Sunday, May 14

We don’t know of any events happening today.