VOL III MAR 2022

The Richardson Review THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF SLA/SB AAIMM CAT The South Los Angeles/South Bay African American Infant & Maternal Mortality Community Action Team

Teamwork makes the dream work! The South Los Angeles/South Bay African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Community Action Team (SLA/SB AAIMM CAT) is composed of several workgroups to help accomplish the mission to reduce African American/ Black infant and maternal mortality in South Los Angeles/South Bay by addressing impact of racism, assemble community action along with prompting wellness and equitable healthcare strategies for African American/Black families. SLA/SB AAIMM CAT combats this mission through the following workgroups:

AAAIMM CAT WORKING GROUPS

FAMILY-CENTERED MODELS OF CARE Mission: To reduce the incidence of black maternal and infant deaths in South LA/South Bay (SPA 6/8) by strengthening the village of support to and around mom and baby.  Projects: Black Daddy Dialogue Social Support Group meets every month for black fathers raising black children or any father raising a black child/in partnership with a black mom in South LA/South Bay. Please contact LeHenry Solomon for more information about Black Daddy Dialogues fathersforabrighterfuture@gmail.com Co-chairs: Tanisha Rogers, Lashan Jones (back up co-leads Ashley Thompson, Jason Dawson, Nakeisha Perkins-Robinson  Meetings: First Wednesday of every month @ 12pm-2pm  Contact: NPerkins-Robinson@ph.lacounty.gov

FUNDER'S CIRCLE Mission: The purpose of the SLA/SB AAIMM CAT— Funders Circle is to support the technical assistance (TA) and/or capacity building needs of CAT member organizations so that they may hone their skills in the areas of grant writing, leadership training and organizational development. Projects: We are starting to create a process for sharing RFPs with CBOs, as well as putting together a panel conversation / training on board recruitment and development, which we hope to offer in the fall.  Co-chairs: Sierra Smith / (co-chair vacancy) Meetings: Last Wednesday of the month @ 9:30-10AM Contact: sierra@openpaths.org

POLICY & ADVOCACY Mission: The workgroup mission is to inform and mobilize community stakeholders to advocate for key policy and legislation that impacts Black infant and maternal health outcomes throughout LA County and beyond. Projects: SB 65 - Stakeholder outreach and engagement, Summer Policy and Advocacy 101 training coordinated by the workgroup, Women's Policy Institute Local Team - focusing on developing local policy for pregnant people experiencing homelessness in the county.   Co-chairs: Diamond Lee, Marquisha Henderson, TaVia Iless Meetings: First Tuesday of every month @ 2:30pm-4:00pm Contact: dlee9@dhs.lacounty.gov

INTERGRATED COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS Mission: This workgroup mission is to address how racism, health care, perinatal care, personal and community support impact African American Infant and Maternal mortality rates. Projects: Quarterly publication, the Richardson Review, celebrating the Black birthing journey and providing resources for families.  Co-chairs: Summer McBride / (co-chair vacancy) Meetings: Every third Wednesday of each month @ 4pm Contact: mcbride.m.summer@gmail.com Many of our working groups are seeking co-chairs. If you'd like to get involved or learn more, please email slasbaaimm@gmail.com.

TERMS TO KNOW

Skin-to-skin: means your full term, healthy baby is placed belly down directly on your chest, right after birth. Skin to skin contact can also take place anytime a baby needs comforting or calming. This contact can regulates the baby's heart rate and breathing, helping them to better adapt to life outside the womb. Fathers Nurturing Touch: is a simple, immediate, and intimate way to communicate love. Examples include skin-to-skin contact, gazing during feeding times, reading books aloud, changing diapers, bath time, and any other way to connect.

Fatherhood/Motherhood/Parenthood: an accumulation of so many things. One who loves, supports, guides, inspires, and encourages their children. A person of strong character who teaches by example. A combination of raw emotions, experiences, hopes, and dreams for one’s children. One of the most sacred journeys a person can travel in life. Every person has their own path to parenthood.

LOCAL RESOURCES & SUPPORT (with links)

For more information about the SLA/SB AAIMM CAT Integrated Community Solutions (ICS) Work Group contact: Summer McBride | mcbride.m.summer@gmail.com For more information about the SLA/SB AAIMM CAT contact: slasbaaimm@gmail.com

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