When major life changes happen, extra help is sometimes needed to deal with those changes. For high-risk women who are pregnant or have recently had a baby, this is no different. Although the birth of a child is exciting, it can also be a bit scary at times, especially when trying to make the right decisions for a baby and finding needed community resources.

The HOPE (Healthy Outcomes Positive Expectations)-San Fernando Valley Best Babies Collaborative is comprised of six agencies working together to improve birth outcomes for high-risk pregnant women living in the northeast San Fernando Valley (zip codes 91331, 91342 and 91402). The agencies work together to improve prenatal and interconception care through in-home case management, social support, health education and counseling.

Who is Eligible?

HOPE offers services for women who are:

• Pregnant or have had a baby in the past 6 months
• Living below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level

And represent at least one of the following:

• Younger than 19 years of age
• African-American
• Pre-Gestational or Gestational Diabetic
• Suffer from Hypertension
• Currently depressed or have a history of depression (including postpartum depression)
• Currently using tobacco, drugs or alcohol
• Exposed to domestic violence (self, child/children or other family member)
• Had a previous poor birth outcome: low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm birth or fetal/infant death

Education

HOPE provides education to help women make the best decisions for themselves, their babies and their families. Some of the topics include:

• Breastfeeding
• Management of Gestational diabetes
• Prenatal care
• Nutrition
• Family planning
• Infant care and parenting

Referrals

HOPE connects women to community services to help them and their families. These referrals may include:

• Finding a doctor
• Transportation
• Getting WIC benefits
• Continuing education
• ESL classes
• Housing
• Insurance

 

For more information, call NEVHC’s HOPE Program at 818-898-1388 x 51115 or x 51116.