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Families in Good Health

Families in Good Health is a multilingual, multicultural health and social education program for the Southeast Asian, Latino and other communities in Long Beach. Its mission is to help the community make informed choices and gain access needed health and social resources.

Families in Good Health programs

Educated Men with Meaningful Messages (EM3)

Educated Men with Meaningful Messages (EM3) is a advocacy and health education program for youth 14-19 years old.  EM3 offers culturally competent mentoring, career exploration, cultural activities, community engagement, leadership training, and healthy relationship workshops.  EM3 works to reduce teenage pregnancy by involving young men in health education, training, outreach and advocacy with their peers and community.  EM3 also hosts a youth camping retreat every summer. The program has provided guidance and direction to thousands of at-risk multi-ethnic youth.

Welcome Baby Program

The Welcome Baby program, funded by First 5 Los Angeles, is available to all pregnant women residing in LA County. Welcome Baby is a free, voluntary home visitation program available to expectant parents and parents with newborns as they navigate early parenthood. A registered nurse will visit with you soon after you return home from your hospital stay. Your Parent Coach will offer support and guide you on the following topics:

  • Prenatal and postnatal education
  • Infant developmental milestones
  • Nutrition for mother and infant
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Well-baby checkups
  • Postpartum care for mother
  • Home safety
  • Maternal and postpartum depression management
  • Referrals to additional resources (e.g., free or low-cost baby supplies, WIC, Cal Fresh, etc).

In response to COVID 19, Welcome Baby now offers virtual visits!

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Welcome Baby staff visited clients in their homes.  However, we have made adjustments to our program and now offer visits virtually and by telephone. We hope to resume in home visits soon, but until that time we will meet with you in a safe and supportive manner.

How do I know if I’m eligible for Welcome Baby?

Anyone who lives in LA County and plans to deliver at St. Mary Medical Center is eligible for Welcome Baby. No income, immigration status or insurance coverage is required for eligible families. The program is not considered a public charge. The full range of Welcome Baby services are based on residential zip code.

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Healthy Families America

Healthy Families America (HFA) is an evidence-based, nationally recognized home visiting program model.  HFA is designated to work with expectant mothers through the journey of pregnancy, continuing up to 3-5 years after the baby's birth. HFA is rooted in the belief that early, nurturing relationships are the foundation for life-long healthy development. Family Support Specialists enrich the family dynamic by providing education and support in the home.

HFA is funded by the Department of Public Health, First 5 Los Angeles, and the Department of Social Services.

Families can enroll in the HFA program via self-referral, community referral, or after delivery in the hospital.  Expectant and new mothers who voluntarily enroll in the program will have a Family Support Specialist assigned to provide individualized services based on each family's needs.

Infant Massage Workshops

The Infant Massage Workshops promote nurturing touch through training and education. Workshops enhance bonding, assist parents with understanding non-verbal cues, and encourage healthy sleep patterns. Additional benefits include improved immune system and relief from colic or constipation. Workshops are intended for infants two to eight months old. A certificate of participation will be provided at the fifth session.

Parenting Workshops

Families in Good Health offers the Nurturing Parenting Programs Workshops. The Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) is an evidence-based program that focuses and builds protective factors.  NPP promotes parental resilience, social connections, child development, and children's social-emotional competence. 

The workshops will help empower parents with new knowledge, beliefs, strategies, and skills to make healthy lifestyle choices. The goal is to prevent child abuse and neglect. The workshops are held once a week for ten weeks. Topics include:

  • The philosophy and Practices of Nurturing Parenting
  • Ages and Stages of Growth for Infants and Toddlers
  • Ways to enhance Positive Brain Development in Children and Teens
  • Communicating with Respect
  • Building Self-Worth in Children
  • Understanding Feelings
  • Understanding and Developing Family Morals, Values and Rules
  • Praising Children and their Behavior
  • Alternatives to Spanking
  • Learning Positive Ways to Deal with Stress and Anger

All workshops are FREE of cost, first come, first serve. Childcare will be provided and parking validated.

To reserve a seat please contact: Families in Good Health (562) 491-9000.

Download our flyer for information on virtual workshops.

Additional Families in Good Health Programs

Community Wellness Program (CWP) – Cambodian refugees, who are now older adults faced the “Killing Fields” genocide firsthand from 1975-1979 and were, virtually without exception, left traumatized by their experience and its aftermath. CWP promotes wellness in the Long Beach Asian Pacific Islander Community by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate prevention and intervention services. CWP conducts workshops on physical and mental health, support groups, and wellness activities. 

Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) – BEC assists and links low income Medicare eligible seniors and persons with disabilities to identify available benefit programs. Available programs include Medicare Part D Extra Help (or Low Income Subsidy), Medicare Savings Programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance.

Covered California – Certified Enrollment Counselors provide free enrollment assistance for Covered California and Medi-Cal health coverage.

Call (562) 491-9300 to speak with a Covered California Enrollment Counselor

Oral Health – The Oral Health project was implemented to provide outreach and education on the value of oral health and to share information on the available oral health coverage programs, including the restoration of adult dental benefits in Medi-Cal. Oral Health organizations in California also advocate for comprehensive, affordable, and quality oral health care for AANHPIs (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander).  

Call Families in Good Health at (562) 491-9100 for more information

First 5 LA Profiles Parent-Coach

Sithary Ly, a parent-coach supervisor at St. Mary Medical Center's Families in Good Health, is profiled by First 5 LA.

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Details & Directions: Families in Good Health

 

Families in Good Health relies on grants, government funding, and generous donations from the community. To make a donation, visit our St. Mary Medical Center Foundation page here