LA County Black Birthing Resource Guide
A List Of Local Pregnancy And Parenting Support Organizations
This resource guide is dedicated to Black birthing persons and their families in Los Angeles County. You’ll find information on prenatal and postpartum pregnancy support, free doula programs, mental health services, and helpful hotlines and helplines.
If you have any questions, would like additional support in navigating these resources, or would like to suggest additions to this list, contact us here.
We hope this resource guide helps you experience a safe, respected, and informed parenting journey.
Prenatal And Postpartum Pregnancy Support
The following organizations assist Black birthing persons from the first through the fourth trimester, including support groups, lactation education, home visitation, parent and baby supplies, and more.
The Black Maternal Health Center Of Excellence
Of course, our own organization is in the list of pregnancy support organizations! We offer maternity care & support in Los Angeles County to Black women, birthing persons, and their families. We do this by connecting you with one of our maternity professionals who will connect you to the services and resources you need. Think of it as getting help with your pregnancy game plan.
Schedule a call with one of our maternity professionals here
Black Infants & Families Los Angeles
Black Infants & Families Los Angeles is the product of the African American Infant And Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative, a countywide coalition led by the L.A. Department of Public Health. They offer Trimester Tips To Activate Your Village, free doula support, support groups, and more.
Text 323.745.2771 to learn how to get involved
California Women, Infants And Children (WIC)
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program helps individuals who are pregnant or just had a baby, and children up to age 5, to eat well, buy food, and stay healthy. WIC services are provided at no cost to you. You may qualify if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, just had a baby (or recent pregnancy loss) or have a child or care for a child under age 5, and have low-to-medium income or receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF), or CalFresh (SNAP) benefits.
First 5 LA’s Welcome Baby Program
Welcome Baby provides free pregnancy and early parenting support to LA County residents who deliver or plan to deliver at one of 13 participating hospitals, regardless of income, immigration status, or insurance coverage. Benefits include home, hospital, and virtual visitations, connections to resources, and free parent and baby supplies.
CinnaMoms
Reimagining Black Motherhood in Los Angeles through support and sisterhood, CinnaMoms hosts virtual breastfeeding support circles.
Follow Cinnamoms on Instagram to view upcoming events
BreastfeedLA
BreastfeedLA is dedicated to improving the health and well being of infants and families through education, outreach, and advocacy to promote and support breast/chestfeeding.
Learn about your breastfeeding rights through BreastfeedLA’s Lactation Advocacy 101 Toolkit
Mighty Little Giants NICU Support
Mighty Little Giants is a Los Angeles County non-profit organization that provides support, education and encouragement for mothers and fathers experiencing preterm deliveries resulting in long-term stays in the hospitals’ NICU/NICCU. They offer craft & conversation sessions implementing art as a form of therapy, peer-to-peer mentoring, NICU and life after the NICU support, and more.
Free Doula Support Programs
Doulas are professional childbirth companions who provide emotional support, physical comfort, education, and advocacy to birthing persons and their partners during pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn period. They help you feel empowered, secure, respected, knowledgeable, and connected.
Doula care is particularly important in reducing poor birth outcomes for people of color. Evidence shows that, among other benefits, doula support reduces the risk of an unplanned C-section and increases the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth.
That’s why no-cost access to doula support is so important for Black birthing persons. Here we provide several free doula programs.
The AAIMM Free Doula Program
The African American Infant And Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative offers free doula support to Black and African American pregnant people living in Los Angeles County. Included are 3 prenatal visits, continuous labor support, 3 postpartum visits, and lactation support. Participants at any stage of pregnancy are welcome to apply.
To enroll, contact the LA County Department of Public Health, Division of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health at AAIMMDoulas@ph.lacounty.gov or (213) 639-6448
Frontline Doulas
Frontline Doulas is a perinatal health program connecting black families with black doulas. They offer no cost doula support for Black families in Los Angeles Counties, a free doula hotline, father and partner support, and more.
Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to stay informed
Sankofa Birthworkers Collective
Black families in Riverside & San Bernardino counties can apply for no-cost doula services through the grant-funded Sankofa Community Doula Program.
Doula Access Program
The Doula Access program is a partnership between Riverside Community Health Foundation, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), and Molina Healthcare to provide free birth doula services for members. Participants in the program will receive 3 prenatal appointments, labor support, and 3 postnatal appointments.
Mental Health And Rehabilitation Services
Maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting 1 in 5 birthing people during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. These illnesses can have long-term negative impact on parents, babies, and families.
Fortunately, maternal mental health conditions are often temporary and treatable. Here we offer several local resources that offer a variety of mental health support.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Urban Los Angeles
NAMI Urban Los Angeles (NULA) was founded in 2003 and is the urban affiliate of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to educating, advocating, supporting, and building better lives for the millions of individuals & families affected by mental illness. NULA offers educational programs, community events and support groups, mental health resources, and more.
Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to stay informed
Antioch University Counseling Center (AUCC)
AUCC is staffed by licensed Marriage and Family (MFT) therapists and clinical psychologists, as well as MFT trainees and interns. They provide specialized counseling services to individuals, couples, families and groups serving adults, adolescents, and children in West Los Angeles, Venice, Marina del Rey, Culver City, and beach communities. Fees are based on a sliding scale.
Make an appointment by contacting (310) 574-2813, ext. 366, or aucc.aula@antioch.edu
Kedren Behavioral Health Clinic
Kedren Health has been compassionately serving the South Los Angeles community for more than 55 years. They offer individual, family, and group therapy, case management, rehabilitation services, peer support, and medication support.
Emmada Psychology Center
Emmada provides culturally informed mental health services that integrate spirituality, psychology, and Christianity for children and adults.
CLARE | MATRIX Pregnant and Postpartum Women's Program
In partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), CLARE | MATRIX has established a 30-bed residential substance use disorder treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women and their children up to age 17. The program services include 4-6 months of sober living residential treatment; wraparound support services for health care, housing, child care, and social services; clinical and substance use assessment; and individual, group, and family therapy.
To get treatment or refer someone to this program, call (866) 452-5273
The Landing At St. Robertson’s Center
The Landing at St. Robert’s Center in Venice Beach is a no cost, one-of-a-kind, daytime wellness & respite drop-in center for pregnant & parenting youth ages 14-25 and their children. They provide a safe, trauma-informed, home-like environment supporting positive parent/child attachments, purposeful parenting skills, and healthy living and lifestyle choices.
For more information contact Rubén Borrero at (213) 318-5762 or RBorrero@CCharities.org
Community Mental Health Resource Guide
The LA County Department Of Mental Health created this resource guide for Black communities in Service Areas 6 & 8. The goal is to help Black Americans not only survive, but to succeed.
Hotlines And Helplines For Urgent Care
The following hotlines and helplines are available to meet a variety of urgent needs, including suicide and crisis support, domestic violence support, and more. All hotlines are fully confidential and free.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Available 24/7, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was recently updated to “988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.” The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress in the United States.
Call or text 988 or send a chat here
211 LA
Available 24/7, 211 LA is the hub for community members and community organizations looking for all types of health, human, and social services in Los Angeles County. They provide information and referrals to services that will best meet an individual's needs.
Call 211 or send a chat here
LA County Department of Mental Health Hotline
Available 24/7, the LACDMH Help Line serves as the primary entry point for mental health services with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Services provided include Service Referrals, Crisis Assessments, and Field Deployments; Mental health screening and assessment; Crisis counseling, an Emotional Support Warm Line, and a Veteran Line.
Call 1-800-854-7771
Substance Abuse Service Helpline (SASH)
Available 24/7, anyone can call SASH, including family, caregivers, and friends. A clinician or counselor will do a brief screening and connect the caller to a treatment provider. The SASH operator will remain on the line to help with making an appointment. Services are free for Medi-Cal, My Health LA, other county-funded eligible youth and adults, and Los Angeles County residents.
Call 1-844-804-7500
LA County Domestic Violence Hotline
Available 24/7, this confidential hotline is for those experiencing domestic violence and in need of shelter.
Call 1-800-978-3600
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Available 24/7, advocates are available to listen without judgment and help you begin to address what’s going on in your relationship. Help is available for people who identify as survivors of abuse, concerned friends or family members, and abusive partners seeking to change themselves.
Call 1-800-799-7233, Text “Start” to 88788, or send a chat here
Frontline Doula Hotline
Available Monday through Sunday 7AM to 10PM PST, the Frontline Doula Hotline provides confidential, professional, caring doula support to Black and pregnant or postpartum people.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. The Hotline offers callers phone or text access to professional counselors, real-time support and information, referrals to local and telehealth providers and support groups, culturally sensitive support, counselors who speak English and Spanish, and interpreter services in 60 languages.
Call or text 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS)
Postpartum Support International Helpline
The PSI HelpLine is a toll-free telephone number anyone can call to get basic information, support, and resources. HelpLine messages are returned every day of the week within 24 hours.
Call 1-800-944-4773 or text “Help” to 800-944-4773
Text en Español: 971-203-7773
National Parent Helpline
Available Monday through Friday 10AM to 7PM PST, the National Parent Helpline® provides emotional support from a trained Advocate so you can become a more empowered parent.
Call 855-427-2736
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