Upcoming Events for the Week of October 2nd
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, and YouTube!
October is:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- Eye Injury Prevention Month
- Health Literacy Month
- Blind Equality Achievement Month
- National Dental Hygiene Month
- National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
See 211 LA County’s domestic violence resources - National Medical Librarians Month
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
See grief support resources in L.A. County, Postpartum.net’s resources, and follow #NeverBeStill on social media - Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
- Spina Bifida Awareness Month
See the Expectant Parent’s Guide for more information - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month
More resources on SIDS: - Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 1 – 7)
- National Primary Care Week (October 2 – 7)
- Walk & Roll to School Day (October 4)
- World Mental Health Day (October 10)
- World Sight Day (October 12)
- Blind Americans Equality Day (October 15)
- World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day (October 15)
- National Health Education Week (October 16 – 20)
- Respiratory Care Week (October 22 – 28)
- World Occupational Therapy (OT) Day (October 27)
Ongoing Opportunities
Open Positions at the City of Torrance After School Club
The City of Torrance is hiring after school staff for the positions of Program Specialist and Program Leader.
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
Application deadline: October 2, 6:00pm
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.
California Coalition for Black Birth Justice is Requesting Your Support – Complete Survey
The California Coalition for Black Birth Justice would like feedback on their first draft agenda, and so are encouraging people to complete their 5-minute survey to weigh in. To access the survey, be sure to click on the following link.
Presented by The California Coalition for Black Birth Justice
Request for Application (RFA): Grant Opportunity for Home Visiting Programs
Deadline: October 6, 2023
The California Department of Health Care Services is seeking to scale early childhood wraparound services to support relevant skill building among adults who work with infants, young children, expectant and new parents, and caregivers. Funding will focus on home visiting services and select practice components of consultation services. To learn more, click here.
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.
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
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)
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.
File with Free Tax Prep LA and Get Your Young Child Tax Credit
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. Eligible families can claim the Young Child Tax Credit, which may be worth more than $1,000, if they file before October 16. 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.
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 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.
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
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
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
Participate in the Equity in Infrastructure Community Survey
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works invites you to share your thoughts on improving important services, such as road repairs, flood control, water quality, bike lanes, and waste removal, in your community. Your feedback will be used to create a more just and equitable L.A. County for all.
Youth at Work
Are you between 14 – 24 looking for a job? You can earn money while learning valuable life and work skills. This program provides an array of services that offer 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
California State Digital Equity Plan: Public Survey
The state of California is asking residents to take the Digital Equity Online Survey to share their experiences and barriers to using the internet. The survey is accessible in 14 different languages and should be completed by one individual per household.
CalWORKS Home Visiting Program Offers Support to Parents
CalWORKs parents who are pregnant or parenting a child who is three years old or younger can receive FREE home-based support to help keep their family healthy through various programs. Pregnant parents can also receive help through the Family Nurses Program. To learn more and sign up, please call 800-427-8700.
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 would 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
Beach Eats Food Trucks
Now – October 26, Thursdays, 5:00pm – 9:00pm: Marina del Rey Harbor, 14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Presented by the Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell
Monday, October 2
Virtual Event: 2023 United States Health Literacy Policy & Press Event: Taking Action for a Healthier Nation
October 2, 8:00am – 9:30am
Presented by The National Council to Improve Safety Through Health Literacy
Webinar: Early Efforts: The Importance of Men in Early Childhood
October 2, 11:00am
Presented by the Hunt Institute
Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs)
October 2, 12:00pm – 3:00pm: St. Anne’s Family Services, 155 N. Occidental Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Presented by the Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) and others
Virtual Meeting: Somos Latinx Families: A Family to Family Real Talk Conversation
October 2 – November 27 (every other Monday), 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center
Tuesday, October 3
Webinar: Ages 26 – 49 Adult Expansion Advocate
October 3, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by Department of Health Care Services
Understanding the Impact of Addiction and Mental Wellness
October 3, 12:00pm
Presented by the MLK Community Healing and Trauma Prevention Center
Virtual Training: Addressing Implicit Bias
October 3, 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Presented by California Training Institute
Save the Date: Health Literacy in Action Virtual Conference
October 3, TBA
Presented by Health Literacy Solutions Center
Save the Date: The Georgette Shatford Memorial Lecture Series
October 3, 10, 17, & 24, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Presented by National Alliance on Mental Illness — San Gabriel Valley
Wednesday, October 4
Women’s Health & Environmental Justice Conference
October 4, 8:30am – 3:00pm: The California Endowment, 1000 Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Sign up for a resource table, and feature your organization’s logo on the conference flyer here.
Presented by California Environmental Protection Agency and others
Virtual Workshop: Strengths-Based Family Engagement Workshop Series
October 4, 11, 18, 25, & November 1, 10:00am – 11:30am
Presented by Brazelton Touchpoints Center
Virtual Training: Approaches to Centering Equity in Health Communication Research and Practice
October 4, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by Communicate Health
Webinar: Getting up to Date on Childhood Immunizations
October 4, 11:00am
Presented by Office of Head Start
Maternal and Infant Health Assessment Data Users Annual Meeting
October 4, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Presented by California Department of Public Health
Save the Date: Virtual Conference: Building for the Future
October 4 – 5, TBA
Presented by CA Child Care Resource & Referral Network and others
Thursday, October 5
Child Development Workshop for Parents and Caregivers
October 5, 9:30am – 11:00am
This is offered monthly. See additional dates below and here.
Presented by Help Me Grow LA and others
Webinar: Moms in Crisis: Maternal Mental Health and the U.S. Maternal Mortality Crisis
October 5, 12:00pm – 1:15pm
Presented by National WIC Association
Webinar: Teacher Time Series: Joyful and Engaging Environments for Infants and Toddlers
October 5, 12:00pm
Presented by Office of Head Start
Webinar: Sesión de Información para Promotores de Salud 2: Capacitación sobre Planes de Atención Administrada
5 de octubre, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Presented by El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center and Health Net
Friday, October 6
Community Engagement and Research Program’s 9th Annual Community Symposium
October 6, 8:00am – 12:30pm: Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance, CA 90503
Presented by The Lundquist Institute
Tia Chucha’s Book Club – Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye”
October 6, 11:00am
Presented by Tia Chucha’s Book Club
Saturday, October 7
Ingram Screening Symposium
October 7, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Presented by Perinatal Mental Health
Matter – Girls Empowerment Conference
October 7, 10:00am – 3:00pm: East Los Angeles College, 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Girls ages 12 – 18 can join this free event.
Presented by Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation and others
March to Free The Land
October 7, 10:00am – 12:00pm: March Start Point, S Figueroa St. & Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044
Presented by Community Coalition
Know Your Birth Rights Workshop
October 7, 11:00am – 2:00pm: Galilee Baptist Church, 3220 West 48th Street Los Angeles, CA 90043
Presented by South LA/South Bay African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Community Action Team
Sunday, October 8
We don’t know of any events happening today.