Black Infant Health of Santa Clara County

5 Bay Area Counties Join to Empower Black Mothers

Our very own Perinatal Health Equity (PEI) staff, Kamilah Davis was interviewed by NBC Bay Area on the importance of Black Maternal
Health week and the work of the PEI & BIH programs.

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/5-bay-area-counties-join-to-empower-black-mothers/2860367/?fbclid=IwAR01quHvCMMTaQ5Y0GhbvwQ_khZFNJiXsdpVzcJkhelg-LC8iouvFf2LCBg

5 Bay Area Counties Join to Empower Black Mothers Black Maternal Health Week begins Monday and some Bay Area counties are joining the fight for greater health equity.

Black Maternal Health begins today! Plug into some of these events and look out for the steady flow of resources for black mamas this week! #BMHW22 #BlackMaternalHealthWeek #BlackMamasMatter #BlackMaternalMortality

April is National Minority Health Month! This awareness month was established in 1915 more than 100 years ago. The HHS Office of Minority Health is raising awareness about health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minority populations. Visit their website to learn more about their focus this year!
https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/nmhm/

Here are a few behaviors that are totally normal for newborns! If you are currently experiencing these infant behaviors, know you are in good company!

If you ever have any concerns about your baby's behavior, never hesitate to reach out to a medical provider.

Whether you're a first time parent or you're back in the newborn phase years after having your first baby, here's a reminder that all of these things are totally normal!

You've got this. 💪🏿

If you ever have any concerns about your baby's behavior, never hesitate to reach out to a medical provider.

🎨: lactationlink / IG

It is so important for both parents to have safe spaces to process through the transition into parenthood. Here are two current opportunities for partners to get connected to support!

Happy International Women's Day, from Black Infant Health! We are daily reminded of the courage, power, beauty, and all around amazingness of the women in our community.

Join us at the 5th Annual Black Family Day: a celebration of African/African Ancestry heritage, health, and wellness!

Come & Celebrate Black History Month through Food!!
Join this cooking demo and discussion with Root's Community Health Center's Women of Wellness!
TODAY from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roots-wow-cook-chat-tickets-246852521537

Hey Sis, Let's Chat Self Care

"Hey Sis, Let's Chat" is a series with women having real conversations about topics that affect us.

This episode is about Self Care with Moneisa Carson, LMFT. So many pearls of wisdom from the Roots Community Health Center team!

Hey Sis, Let's Chat Self Care Hey There Friend!! Thank you for stopping by and supporting our video. Sarah, Porchea, and I (Nkemka) are here from Roots Community Health Center to help our...

TONIGHT: Join our African American Community Service Agency for Family Fun Friday at 6-8pm today, 2/18 on Zoom! #FamilyFunFriday
Register: bit.ly/aacsafamilyfun
For more info/questions, contact 408-292-3157 or [email protected]

This Valentine's Day, we offer a few affirmations to meditate on. Affirmations can help us change negative thoughts, and practice healthier ways of thinking. What a powerful way to love ourselves and our families!

Connect with other black women across generations, while learning how to build a healthier life from great speakers.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pink-goes-red-for-heart-health-tickets-226189237097?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

This month we want to recognize the importance of African/African-Ancestry health & wellness, which includes mental health. Check out this ted talk by Dr. Shaun Fletcher, describing how we can reimagine mental wellness within our Black communities. youtu.be/j5RcWNvu12U

Today at 6pm, San Jose State University will be hosting a virtual panel of medical professionals, to provide insight on the experiences of their Black patients. Shout out to Odiri Maku (Ob/Gyn Nurse Practitioner) a featured panelist, and one of our Black Infant Health referral champions!

Register here - https://sjsu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__gL6Rr-WThC5l4vPDoK_-g

Drinking water has so many benefits for both mom and baby during pregnancy! Babies home in the womb is comprised mostly of water. Water also assists mom's digestion and can be a great tool in easing constipation.

BLKC - African / African Ancestry Health and Heritage Month

We can not wait to celebrate African/African-Ancestry Health and Heritage Month (AAHHM) with you!

As one of our community members said..."in this month, it is a beautiful beautiful opportunity for us to come out and support one another... and recognize how much we truly love one another, and truly appreciate our culture and heritage".

Check out this video that reflects on AAHHM 2019 &
look out for upcoming events on our BIH page!

BLKC - African / African Ancestry Health and Heritage Month

Roots WoW Cook & Chat

Plant-Based, Powerfully Black! Jocelyn, our Public Health Nutritionist will be partnering with Roots Community Health Center to help us start this new year off with a new perspective on nutrition and health!

Roots WoW Cook & Chat A Virtual cooking demo and discussion with Root's Community Health Center's Women of Wellness. ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME!

5 Reasons for Dads to take Paternity Leave!

Join our community at the 42nd MLK Day!

Join us at the 42nd MLK Day!

2021 ended with our annual holiday activity. In an effort to stay safe while still engaging our amazing participants, we hosted a car gift pick up at Christmas at the Park! Thank you to all who came!

The first ‘Momnibus’ bill was signed into law. Other strides for Black maternal health could follow.

ICYMI: The first #MomnibusBill was signed into law! The Protecting Moms Who Served Act puts $15 million toward supporting maternity care for military veterans. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
This is the start of something great.

The first ‘Momnibus’ bill was signed into law. Other strides for Black maternal health could follow. The Build Back Better Act includes many provisions from the Momnibus package, which Rep. Underwood (D) introduced right before the pandemic hit the United States.

2022 Vision Inspired: Better Late than Never (Vision Party)

Happy New Year!
Our community partners over at Roots Community Health Center will be hosting a virtual Vision Board Party! Vision Boards are great ways to creatively engage in creating goals for the year. What better time! Register below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-vision-inspired-better-late-than-never-vision-party-tickets-238646346647?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

2022 Vision Inspired: Better Late than Never (Vision Party) A virtual event hosted by Roots Community Health Center's Women of Wellness (WoW) program. ALL WOMEN ARE WELCOME!

Cooperative economics and creativity are the last two Kwanzaa principles we would like to share!

The Black Infant Health program prioritizes creating goals around finances, relationships, and health. We are constantly inspired by our participants who are practicing cooperative economics by building their own businesses and supporting others who are doing the same.

The Kwanzaa principle of self-determination encourages us "to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves." Being empowered within community gives our moms and their partners the opportunity to practice self-determination during their pregnancy, delivery, and early parenting journeys.

HAPPY KWANZAA! Did you know that Kwanzaa has seven corresponding Principles?

Unity and Collective Work are the two of the seven Kwanzaa principles. Creating a supportive village around the new lives being born in our community, helps our families and infants to flourish!

What is each one reach one?
BIH participants & alumni who refer a family member or friend, receive an incentive upon the participants attendance of a group session.

How do I refer a mom to be?
Fill out an interest card at: https://publichealth.sccgov.org/services/bih-interest-card

2 day countdown till our Black Infant Health Holiday Gift Pick-Up! If you are a current BIH participant, we have gifts for you! 🎁

If you have not yet RSVP'd, but are interested in getting your gift, text LaKendra at 669-288-2333 at your earliest convenience.

Today Jocelyn, our Public Health Nutritionist, reminded us that small changes in our daily routines can keep us healthy throughout the year! What is one thing that you can do this week, for you? #holidayseasonselfcare

Roots Community Health Center's Women of Wellness (WoW)
invites you to, “Healthy Holidays: The Black Girl Magic Edition.”

This event will include a virtual cooking demo, during which you will learn how to make delicious & healthy chocolate truffles! This event is virtual, free of charge, and is intended for all women of African Ancestry.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/roots-wow-cook-chat-tickets-195357959917

A BIH Mom's Preterm Birth Story
My first child was born at 27 weeks gestation at 1lb 9oz due to HELLP syndrome. She spent 106 days in the NICU. I remember feeling such disillusionment, despair, and guilt when I found out I would have to have an emergency C-section at 6 months pregnant. At that time, I made the decision to hold strong to my faith - both in my baby and in my higher power. She has defied so many odds, and is now a vibrant, sassy, intelligent, three-and-a-half-year-old who is reading at a first-grade level! My advice to a new mom dealing with prematurity, would be to give yourself grace, to be kind to yourself, remember you are not alone, and it is not your fault. Take things one day at a time and don’t hesitate to reach out for support – whether in your family, friend group, or local community resource (like Black Infant Health). During my second pregnancy, I received support from Black Infant Health and I can’t imagine going without it ever again! BIH staff helped to connect me to resources like WIC, and provided me and the other participants a space to learn, grow, and express our fears and hopes through group prenatal/postpartum sessions.

Our community partners at Roots Community Health Center provide a continuum of support for Black women before, during, and after their pregnancies. Check out one of their free events this upcoming month!

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/roots-community-health-center-women-of-wellness-wow-33111250581

The California Momnibus Act (SB 65) was created with the goal of closing racial gaps in maternal and infant mortality. We look forward to seeing these changes better outcomes for our Black families.