Maternal-Child Health Projects and Programs

Offering health education and promotion projects and programs and professional  MCH training and certification programs, and  networking  and continuing education opportunities for maternal-child health professionals.

 

The following Projects and Programs are  either underway or in development. Donations of any amount from individuals or  trusts  may be made for existing projects or those in development.

Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative  of Los Angeles County

This project brings together diverse maternity care stakeholders to promote  the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI)  developed by The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)  which is a consensus document based on 10-step recommendation to improve maternity care quality, achieve public health goals  and meet the mandates of health care reform. Annual Mother-Friendly Childbirth Symposium offered for perinatal professionals, seminars, webinars, film-screenings, panel discussions and other networking opportunities are provided.

Community-Based Doula Program & Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program

Through our Perinatal Support Specialist Training and Certification Program* and Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training and Certification Program  and Postpartum Doula Training and Certification Courses, attendees learn the skills to support pregnant and new mothers in labor support, childbirth education, postpartum care and lactation support. These courses address perinatal heath disparities and inequities by addressing the social determinants of health using a socioecological framework.

*This is not a childbirth educator certification, lactation educator certification or doula certification course. We encourage persons who desire certifications in these areas to take certification courses through CAPPA, ICEA, Lamaze, or other organizations. Our course can be taken prior to or after these courses.

B.I.R.T.H. (Birth Information and Resources for Teen Health) Mother-Mentor Program

The B.I.R.T.H. (Birth Information and Resources for Teen Health) Mother-Mentor Program (Promotores de Salud Para El Embarazo, El Parto y La Lactancia para Madres Adolescentes) addresses perinatal and newborn health by providing wholistic, mother-centered educational and support services to pregnant and parenting adolescents. The B.I.R.T.H.M.M.P. emphasizes a self-growth approach to pregnancy, promotion of physiological childbirth, transformation through childbirth, breastfeeding promotion, and youth leadership and empowerment. Building upon the adolescents’ strengths and resiliency, and through supportive relationships with mentors and opportunities for social support and perinatal education, empowerment sessions, social support, access to resources and networks and perinatal education. We will also mentor teens interested in careers in children’s and women’s health.

Annual MCH Awards Ceremony

This recognition program acknowledges the outstanding accomplishments of maternal-child health professionals or congressional representatives to address inequities and disparities in maternity care and improve maternity care quality through innovative approaches or legislation. Held each year in Los Angeles.

Community-Based Doula Support, Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Support and Prenatal Education

Offered on a sliding-scale basis to disadvantaged pregnant women and new mothers, our team provides lactation support, postpartum care, birth support and prenatal education through partnerships with local agencies and clinics. Clients include teens, foster care adolescents, incarcerated women, homeless women, women in recovery, and others.

Traditional Birth Assistant Training: Mission to Africa

We are developing Community Health Promoter and Traditional Birth Attendant Trainings in West Africa.