January 2024

Cervical Health Awareness and National Birth Defects Prevention Month

We’re honored to have been a part of the captivating journeys of PTBi’s Community Advisory Board members. Our first Voices for Birth Justice video series, "Reflections from the UCSF California Preterm Birth Initiative Community Advisory Board," premiered on November 30 at a special event we hosted at the Oakland Museum of California. This event not only fostered a profound sense of community but also provided a unique space for both introspection and celebration of the CAB member’s invaluable contributions and the birth justice work they continue to undertake. 

Reflecting on the event, Loren Newman, communications manager at PTBi, remarked on the deep human connection that underpins the videos themselves as well as the efforts and impact of PTBi and the CAB. "This video series is a beautiful display of all the love and passion that the CAB has put in during their time working with PTBi. When viewing them, one could feel the connection the CAB members have with each other, their community, and their commitment to birth justice. It made me proud to be a team member at PTBi, and to see the CAB members being celebrated and their voices being amplified," said Newman.

Participate in the Advancing Access Study

Advancing Access is conducting focus groups to get feedback on informational material for women and those assigned female at birth who want to avoid future pregnancy.

Participants will discuss an informational sheet on birth control options in a 60 to 90-minute Zoom discussion. Participants will be compensated with a $50 gift card.

Eligibility:

• Are at least 21
• Speak English
• Have Medicaid or Medi-Cal
• Have had your tubes tied or are thinking about it

If you have any questions, email advancingaccess@ucsf.edu.

To join the study, call or text (510) 660-0915

Apply for the Birthing Care Pathway Initiative

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is launching the Birthing Care Pathway Initiative, a program aimed at improving maternal health and addressing racial disparities among Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander individuals.

Eligibility:

• Pregnant or postpartum individuals and those who have experienced a miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023,

Participants are invited to engage in virtual activities with stipends ranging from $100 to $200.

Application deadline: January 8, 2024 at 5 p.m. PST

Contact Melissa Sagun at melissa@everydayimpactconsulting.com with any questions or for assistance.

January 13, 2024, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. or January 16, 2024, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Support the Center and Care Study

The Center and Care study is aiming to interview 20 Black caregivers who have had preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the Bay Area in order to gain family perspectives about how the medical system and our society can best support the long-term health of Black preterm infants.

Eligibility:

• The Black caregiver of a former preterm infant 
• Your child was born before 35 weeks gestation and is less than 10 years old now
• Your child was admitted to a Bay Area NICU 

All caregivers who complete an interview will receive a $100 gift card for their time.

The City and County of San Francisco Human Services Agency is hosting a virtual hiring fair. Start your career with the city by working to connect those in need to government benefits.

Eligibility:

• 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university; or
• 2 years of clerical experience: or
• 1 year determining eligibility for social service programs.

Learn what inspired these leaders at Voices for Birth Justice

Solaire

Interim Executive Director of the California Preterm Birth Initiative

Read Solaire's Story

Bridgette

Postdoctoral Scholar at the California Preterm Birth Initiative



Read Bridgette's Story

Brandi

Lactation and Infant Feeding Specialist

Read Brandi's Story

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