NEEDS OF PREGNANT WOMEN ADDRESSED THROUGH FIRST 5 LA FUNDING

"Although my husband has a job, three babies at one time was about to be a big financial challenge for us," Jennifer said. "We could not afford all of the necessary clothing and baby supplies."

In addition, she was totally unprepared for a new health issue. Caring properly for her diabetes was scary to someone who had no previous experience with pregnancy or this disease. "This was a time that I really needed to stay healthy and the information and support from the LA Best Babies Network was so very helpful," the young mother explained.

She learned about the importance of prenatal health care and how to manage her diabetes. And Jennifer also received great personal support: "A case worker visited me at the hospital right after the triplets were born and helped me prepare for caring for myself and my new babies."

Now, several months after their births, Jennifer reports that Addison, Cienna and Damien are doing great. Every year, First 5 LA provides direct services to about 160,000 children and pregnant women in the county through programs like LA Best Babies Network, which links organizations that are dedicated to improving the health of mothers, newborns and their families.

Launched several years ago as part of First 5 LA's Healthy Births Initiative, the Network works to ensure that high-quality perinatal care and social support are available to all families in L.A. County. To achieve this goal, the Network focuses on the five interrelated components of the Healthy Births Initiative:

Caring for Mothers-To-Be
The Best Babies Collaboratives consist of more than 40 agencies in priority communities that are working together to improve and expand coordinated interconception care (care between pregnancies) through intensive case management, outreach, social support and health education.

Improving the Quality of Perinatal Care
The Healthy Births Care Quality Collaborative is a cooperative effort among caregivers to provide a standard of comprehensive perinatal care that is respectful of every family's cultural background.

Creating a Network of Caregivers and Advocates
The Healthy Births Learning Collaboratives provide a community-driven forum where perinatal caregivers and advocates can meet to share knowledge, keep current on best practices and coordinate strategies and solutions.