MCCN-Black Infant Health Program (BIH)

Infant mortality (the death of a child less than one year of age) is a tragedy that affects numerous lives throughout the nation.  

African American infants are more than twice as likely to die during their first year of life compared to infants in any other ethnic population.

In 1989, the California Department of Health Services responded to the crisis within the African American community by establishing the Black Infant Health Leadership Committee to develop solutions for improving the health status of African-American woman.

The Program

Yodit Abraha, MPH is the Program Manager of the Black Infant Health Program at Mission City Community Network, Inc.. She is pictured here with little Eva Gardner. Eva's Mom is Vakysha Gardner, the QIP Committee Coordinator.

The MCCN-BIH staff works to provide clients with strong psychosocial and educational support and assistance to ensure that their babies have the best possible chance at a healthy start in life.

This program serves our clients in a number of important areas including but not limited to:

•  Assistance finding prenatal, post-natal and pediatric physicians

•  Referrals to WIC and Cal Works

•  Assistance with Job Placement

•  Emergency Housing Referrals

•  Seminars on parenting, relationships finances

•  Individual and family counseling

•  Celebrations and incentives

•  Special " Sista to Sista " events and activities

Our goal is to serve our clients and create a safe and nurturing environment where they feel comfortable and empowered during their pregnancy and as they begin parenting. There is never a cost to our clients for the services we provide.

The MCCN-Black Infant Health Program is funded by the California Department of Health Services Maternal and Child Health Branch and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

Enrollment Criteria

Our staff is always willing to make appropriate referrals for any female who contacts our offices.  However, because of the seriousness of the issues surrounding infant mortality in the African American community, the following guidelines are mandated by our funding source:

•  Client must be an African American female

•  Client must be a resident in the San Fernando Valley (see zip codes)

•  Client must be 18 years or older

•  Client must be pregnant and/or have a child under two years old

Once enrolled into the program, Prenatal Care and Outreach (PCO), clients will have a one-on-one relationship with a Community Outreach Worker (CHOW). The CHOW serves as a support person for the client during her pregnancy helping her to access health care and providing education on a number of topics from the benefits of breastfeeding, preterm labor to the incidence of SIDS and more. After a woman's child is born, her Outreach Worker helps her to follow up with well-Baby visits, immunizations, and well-woman care

Based on the client's specific needs, some women maybe referred to the Social Support & Empowerment (SSE) component of the program.

The MCCN-BIH Community Outreach workers are dynamic women who conduct outreach in these communities that include:

Arleta, Canoga Park, Canyon County, Encino, Newhall, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Panorama City, Reseda, San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Sherman Oaks, Sun Valley, Sylmar, Tarzana, Tujunga, Woodland Hills, Valencia, Van Nuys, West Hills, Winnetka

In their efforts, Outreach Workers not only invite pregnant women to join BIH, but they also provide information about infant mortality to the communities they serve.

Yodit Abraha,MPH
MCCN-BIH Program Manager

Reginald Robinson , Advisory Board Chair
Pastor, Valley Cross Roads Church

Diane Medina , Advisory Board Member
Vice President, Diversity & Community
KABC-TV

The Community Advisory Board is responsible for achieving several important program objectives:

•  Conduct a culturally specific public awareness campaign to highlight the importance of seeking First Trimester care

•  Conduct a special event that highlights client success stories and mobilizes the community around the issue of African American infant mortality

We are very fortunate to have a Community Advisory Board that is active and responsive to the needs of our clients. They are involved and participate in board meetings that are held at least once every six (6) weeks in addition to special program events and celebrations.

MCCN-Black Infant Health Advisory Board Members: