Black Infant Health: Minority Mental Health Month and other resources.

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department sent this bulletin at 07/19/2021 06:55 AM PDT

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Black Infant Health: News and updates

Minority Mental Health Month

July is Minority Mental Health Month! And this week—July 19-25—we celebrate Black Maternal Mental Health Week. Each year, mental health organizations develop public education campaigns to address the mental health needs of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Here’s how some agencies support minority mental health: 

  • Perinatal Support of Washington—Acknowledge, explain and celebrate mental health.
  • Mental Health America (MHA)—This year’s theme is Strength in Communities. MHA highlights alternative mental health support created by BIPOC and queer and trans BIPOC (QTBIPOC), for BIPOC and QTBIPOC.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)—This year’s theme is You Are Not Alone. NAMI focuses on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health and acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay. 

You can also find a wealth of information, data, and resources related to BIPOC mental health at:

Health Ministers Meeting

We are not meeting in August. Enjoy some rest, relaxation and much-need self-care. Thank you for your dedication and service to the Black Infant Health program!

Our next health minister meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 14.

We’re celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week Aug. 25-31. In the next newsletter, learn how to get involved, including trainings, activities and other ways to support the movement.

Questions? Contact Taleema Love.

Family Resources

Learning programs

  • Tacoma Learns connects program providers to families to expand learning opportunities. Kids can stay engaged in learning (and FUN) all summer long! Tacoma Learns offers more than 200 programs for all ages. Search the online directory to find programs in your area.
  • ECEAP is a free, state-funded preschool that provides experiences geared to meet children's individual needs and skills. Pierce County ECEAP is accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year. Children must be 3 or 4 years old by August 31 to qualify. Learn more and apply.
  • Preschool Powered by Play serves children ages 2-5 and their adults. This relationship-based program supports natural, playful discovery, and helps prepare children to be confident and eager learners. Register today for the 2021-2022 school year.
  • Move to Learn is an early math and family engagement program. Children ages 2-5 explore everyday activities to improve their math readiness skills. This program is adaptable for virtual or in-person learning. Participating organizations will receive the Move to Learn curriculum—a free kit of movement-based supplies and one-on-one support. Want to learn more? Contact Masa Kawamura.

Family activities

  • Tacoma Public Library offers a calendar full of events for kids and families. Program kits are a fun way to bring our arts and crafts activities home with you. Register for a Tacoma Public Library unique craft projects or special events:
  • This year, Tacoma Public Library offers a virtual reading log for the Summer Reading Challenge. Through Aug. 14, track reading and activities on a computer or mobile device by visiting the Beanstack website, or downloading the Beanstack app. Complete the challenge by reading and completing activities. The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all ages—the entire family can win prizes and have fun!
  • Several public and private recreation providers have collaborated to bring kids opportunities to learn, create, explore and compete this summer. Across Pierce County, the Kids Need to Play program offers many youth camps and programs at 60-90% off (discounted at the time of sale). Learn more.
  • Are you the parent of an infant almost three months old? You may be eligible to take part in a Boise State University study. Researchers want to understand if giving new parents Lovevery® play kits helps them learn about child development and if it increases the amount of time they spend interacting with their babies. Learn more.

Food

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture extended a waiver to help kids can get free meals this summer. Learn where you can get meals—English or Spanish. You can text “Summer Meals” to 97779 or call (866) 3-HUNGRY (348-6479). Spanish-speaking families can call (877) 8-HAMBRE (842-6273). For more information, contact Child Nutrition Services at (360) 725–6200.

Parenting

  • The Positive Parenting Program—or Triple P—gives you tips and ideas to bring out the best in your children. Triple P is free and open to families with children ages 0-17. Start Triple P Online today for free in English or Spanish. Register for a Triple P group at triplep-parenting.com/pc-en/get-started/check-our-calendar or call (253) 649-1011.
  • Help spread the word about Child Tax Credit benefits. Families can get the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act tax credit July 15-Dec. 31. Each month, families can receive $250 per child between ages 6-17 and $300 per child under age 6. Learn more at gov.

COVID-19

  • On June 30, Gov. Jay Inslee lifted most COVID-19 restrictions. If you are not vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask in many public settings. Businesses and local governments may require masks. Some restrictions remain for large indoor gatherings. Read more.
  • Everyone 12 and older is eligible to get vaccine. Our data dashboard shows how many people who live or work in Pierce County got vaccine. Learn more at tphcd.org/vaxtothefuture.
  • Need a free ride to a COVID-19 vaccine event?
    • Around the Sound provides transportation for people with limited mobility, including those who use wheelchairs or scooters. Call (253) 858-7088 or visit atstrans.org.
    • Pierce Transit gives free bus rides to people going to vaccine appointments or volunteering at vaccine events. Call (253) 581-8000 (press 1, then press 1 again) or visit piercetransit.org.
    • Uber and Lyft can also provide rides to and from vaccine events. Call the state COVID-19 information hotline at (833) VAX-HELP for that service.

Behavioral Health

  • Comprehensive Life Resources (CLR) is launching pilot program, Msaada. And they need your help! CLR wants to learn what mental health support services would be beneficial to a specific population—Black and Brown women and children. Complete this short survey to help shape Msaada program structure and services. All responses are anonymous, and CLR will only use the information to pursue funding opportunities to launch the program.

Employment

  • Join the Washington STEM team and help remove barriers to STEM education and postsecondary credentials as a Senior Program Officer or an Impact Director.
  • Community Transit is hiring a Manager of Environmental Health and Safety . Open until July 25.
  • Join the MultiCare team as a Childbirth Educator. Childbirth Educators provide education and support to families in the community who sign up for classes, instruction and unit introduction through tours. You must have attended a Childbirth Educator Training Workshop and be able to teach within a hospital environment. MultiCare encourages Black Indigenous People of Color to apply for this great opportunity to increase diversity amongst childbirth educators.
  • The King County Language Access Team needs experienced community translators and reviewers. They have part-time positions with flexible hours, offering $70 per hour. If you’re a native speaker and have experience translating health-related documents, email your cover letter, resume and language to ESJLanguages@kingcounty.gov.
  • First 5 FUNdamentals is hiring! We are expanding to our senior-level leadership team and we’re recruiting a Chief Operating Officer (COO). Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this new position will oversee all internal operations and administrative functions, which include a 10-person staff and an operating budget of $3.8 million. Learn more and apply. Open until filled.
  • Child Care Resources is recruiting childcare professionals for programs throughout the Puget Sound. Learn more.
  • Building Changes is seeking a Senior Program Manager. This position will provide project management, technical assistance, training, facilitation of group processes and support relationships with the goal of improving services and supports for families and youth experiencing homelessness. Learn more and apply.

Get involved

  • Do you have ideas about how to improve the maternal health of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)? Join a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to re-grant 2019 Birth Equity Funds! Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department—in partnership with Washington State Department of Health (DOH)—will facilitate the committee. Learn more here Solutions that reverse anti-Black racism in maternal and perinatal care.
  • A Community Needs Assessment provides information to help direct service delivery. This survey helps us understand the needs of the entire community, how well we are currently meeting those needs and what gaps currently exist. Request a paper copy or complete the survey online—available in English, Russian, Spanish and Korean—by July 30.

Professional Resources

Training opportunities

  • Join the Northwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (NWATTC) webinar, Harm Reduction Service Use and Delivery: Lessons Learned from Vancouver, Canada. July 28, 12-1 p.m., learn about the role of harm reduction in addiction treatment and how it fits with other systems of care.
  • Learn about research and innovations in treating stress and trauma in women with alcohol use disorder. Join the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) video cast event, Innovations in Treating Stress & Trauma in Women with Alcohol Use Disorder July 28, 9-10 a.m.
  • Join the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) webinar, Decolonizing Self Care Practices for the Hispanic/Latinx Community. July 29, 8-9 p.m., learn about wellness and mental health practices and hear shared experiences on minority stress.
  • Don’t miss this year’s Region 10 Opioid Summit—Future Directions in the Opioid Crisis: Improving Systems to Better Serve Individuals and Families. Aug. 3-5, join multiple breakout sessions focused on prevention, special interventions, treatment and recovery. Learn more and register.
  • Mahogany Moms Community Coalition and Breastfeeding Friendly Washington presents Shifting the Conversation: Black Voices Matter. Aug. 26, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., learn about implicit bias, racism's impact on Washington's birth and breastfeeding/chestfeeding outcomes and maternal-infant mortality. This virtual training honors the stories and lived experiences of Black birth workers and community. Learn more and register.
  • Sept. 16-17, join the virtual conference, National Latino Behavioral Health Conference: Envisioning Latino Behavioral Health Equity in the Next Decade. Learn about the contributions of Hispanic and Latino professionals to the future of behavioral health for all communities. Hear from national keynote speakers, choose from 20 workshops, breakout sessions and more. Learn more and register.

Funding opportunities

  • During the 2021 state legislative session, the Washington Legislature appropriated $30M for a new premium assistance program for licensed childcare workers (LCWs). This funding can help LCWs afford health coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder.
  • The Foundation for Tacoma Students (FFTS) is accepting funding proposals for the 2021 Pierce County Expanded Learning Opportunity Fund. FFTS will invest in quality summer programs across all communities of Pierce County. Learn more. You must apply by July 19.
  • The Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP) provides behavioral health providers up to $250,000 to repay school loans in exchange for working full-time for 6 years at an approved site. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

Get involved

  • Want to engage in deeper discussion around race? Join United Way Aug. 12, 12-1 p.m. for lunch and learn sessions, Race as a Public Health Crisis. Register here.
  • Learn about resilient communities through human-center design in the 2020 Poverty to Possibilities Summit Report.
  • Schools Out Washington needs presenters to lead virtual webinar presentations or interactive workshops at the 2021 Bridge Conference, Oct. 26-29. Learn about the process, application questions and submit a proposal. Request for proposal is due July 30.
  • The Northwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) wants to learn about the training, technical assistance and resource needs of the substance misuse prevention workforce. Complete PTTC’s needs assessment and register to enter into a drawing to receive a fully paid registration to the National Prevention Network (NPN) conference!

Find more family and professional resources here.