Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
LA County unhappy about changes to black infant health program
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
Mar 11, 2014
Listen • 3:53
LA County unhappy about changes to black infant health program
The state revised the program to make it more effective. L.A. County says the new approach means it will be able to serve roughly half as many women.
Kenisha Norwood, left, and her 3-year-old son Xavier attend a social support and empowerment class for pregnant mothers put on by Great Beginnings for Black Babies at Freeman Medical Arts Building on Monday, Feb. 23.
Kenisha Norwood, left, and her 3-year-old son Xavier attend a social support and empowerment class for pregnant mothers put on by Great Beginnings for Black Babies at Freeman Medical Arts Building on Monday, Feb. 23.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Expecting mothers attend the four-day workshop which covers health, nutrition, Sudden Infant Death Syndrom, and many other topics related to both before and after giving birth.
Expecting mothers attend the four-day workshop which covers health, nutrition, Sudden Infant Death Syndrom, and many other topics related to both before and after giving birth.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Health educator Cecie Trujillo holds 2-month-old Tray'von Lynn, son of class attendee Tamika Rosser. Inglewood-based Great Beginnings for Black Babies aims to reduce infant mortality through support like this class.
Health educator Cecie Trujillo holds 2-month-old Tray'von Lynn, son of class attendee Tamika Rosser. Inglewood-based Great Beginnings for Black Babies aims to reduce infant mortality through support like this class.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Health educator Cecie Trujillo introduces herself on the first day of the four-day class on Monday, Feb. 23. Trujillo has worked for the non-profit for more than a decade.
Health educator Cecie Trujillo introduces herself on the first day of the four-day class on Monday, Feb. 23. Trujillo has worked for the non-profit for more than a decade.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Four-month-old King Ace sits next to mother Shemera Williams during the social support and empowerment class on Monday Feb. 23.
Four-month-old King Ace sits next to mother Shemera Williams during the social support and empowerment class on Monday Feb. 23.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Mother Tamika Rosser hands a bottle to Health Educator Cecie Trujillo for 2-month-old Tray'von Lynn. Great Beginnings for Black Babies also provides child care during the class.
Mother Tamika Rosser hands a bottle to Health Educator Cecie Trujillo for 2-month-old Tray'von Lynn. Great Beginnings for Black Babies also provides child care during the class.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Expecting mothers fill out a form on the first day of a four-day class put on by Great Beginnings for Black Babies.
Expecting mothers fill out a form on the first day of a four-day class put on by Great Beginnings for Black Babies.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

The state revised the program to make it more effective. L.A. County says the new approach means it will be able to serve roughly half as many women.

African-American infants are more than twice as likely as white ones to die within their first year.

California has long had a program designed to help black women have healthy babies but the state changed the program in recent years. All of the participating cities and counties have adopted those changes - except for one: Los Angeles County.

KPCC's Adrian Florido explains why it has resisted moving to the state's new model.