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Launched in 2014, SHIELDS’ Welcome Baby Program provides in-hospital visits, nurse appointments, parenting services, information and support with pre- and post-natal health care, and referrals and linkage for mothers and their infants in South Los Angeles. Welcome Baby is a component of Best Start – a multi-year effort created by First 5 LA that aims to shape, strengthen and support L.A. County neighborhoods by building resources and providing access to activities that improve the well-being, development and care experienced by pregnant women, new parents and children age 5 and under.

Target Population

SHIELDS’ Welcome Baby program serves pregnant and parenting women and their children ages 0-5. The program is available at no cost to South Los Angeles families who deliver or plan to deliver at one of 3 participating Welcome Baby hospitals, including St. Francis Medical Center, Centinela Hospital, and Martin Luther King Community Hospital.

Services Provided

Our services strengthen families through comprehensive and collaborative services including hospital visits, parent coaching, information and support with pre- and post-natal health care, and linkage and referral to a wide range of supportive services.

Mothers who deliver at participating hospitals may receive in-hospital visits to receive assistance with breastfeeding and information about bonding and attachment, taking care of infants, and resources needed to ease the transition into motherhood.

Parent Coaches support moms both during pregnancy and following birth. Parent Coaches provide health care and parenting education and information, support, and resources. Parent Coaches also help link new mothers to community resources  to enroll them in health care coverage, establish medical homes, and enroll in other supportive services.

Welcome Baby staff also provide information and support with pre- and post-natal health care. This includes information regarding baby-proofing homes to ensure the healthy and safe development, as well as information about infant feeding and breastfeeding support and advice. Mothers may be eligible to receive baby- and mom-friendly items such as thermometers, nursing pillows, toys and baby-proofing supplies for the home.

Finally, participants receive linkage and referral services to additional child development services available through SHIELDS’ Home Visiting and Healthy Start programs, to additional substance abuse and mental health treatment  programs at SHIELDS and other community-based providers, and to our collaborative networks that provide housing, food, clothing, and transportation for those in need.

Community Partnerships

SHIELDS’ Welcome Baby Program is funded by First 5 Los Angeles.  Welcome Baby also collaborates with a wide range of health care providers to establish and broaden access to high-quality, culturally competent primary medical and behavioral health services for women and their children. Local participating hospitals include St. Francis Medical Center, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital.

Necessary supportive services are provided in coordination with a variety of County and State agencies, including the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, Rehabilitation, Public and Social Services, and Children and Family Services. Services and supports for vocational and educational training and job development activities are provided in partnership with the Compton Regional Job Training Center, Compton Adult School, Jordan-Locke Community Adult School, Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, and Harbor College.