Maternal Child and Adolescent Health - Newsletters

World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month

We celebrate this important month in our newsletter with an overview of the weekly observances, local celebrations, information and resources around human milk and breast/chest feeding, resources and support groups, findings from our MCAH Needs Assessment and upcoming educational opportunities.

In Honor of Pride Month and Juneteenth

We stand with our LGBTQIA2S+ and gender expansive community and work to center and uplift the experiences of our Queer and Trans families.

Perinatal Mental Health

In the United States, perinatal mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth. Suicide and overdose deaths are leading causes of death in the first year after birth (Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance). Depression during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm and low birth weight births, and preeclampsia, and can impact breastfeeding and bonding after delivery. Depression can also increase the risk of chronic depression and suicide among individuals giving birth.Below we share some data on perinatal mental health in Sonoma County.

A Look at the Data: Perinatal Health in Sonoma County

This months newsletter takes a deeper dive into perinatal health, the disparities that exist amongst the Black, Native American, and Asian Pacific Islander populations and explores realistic solutions to address them. Information on local resources are also included.

Happy Belated National Women's Month!

The month of March was full of many important awareness campaigns. While we spring into April, we wanted to look back and highlight March's HIV Awareness Month and Developmental Disabilities Awarenes Month. Please peruse this newsletter for helpful information for the clients and families you serve. Continue to scroll down for a recipe (March was also Noodle Month!) and links to complete our MCAH Needs Assessment surveys.

We want to wish you a Very Happy New Year!

In the spirit of the new year and as we look to let go of all the holiday bustle, we bring you a Happy Healthy Newsletter! Here you will find info on our County's regional parks to remind and encourage our families to enjoy our amazing outdoor spaces, information about exercise and pelvic floor exercises, links to sites assisting with applications for Food Stamps/Cal Fresh, recipes, finding food, and even the option to "ask a dietician". We've also included a link to a nice warming soup recipe for these rainy days.

Home Visitor Newsletter Edition!

Sonoma County Public Health houses 3 amazing and dynamicHome Visiting programs within our downtown office in Santa Rosa. This newsletter will highlight each program and acquaint you with what each one has to offer your patients/clients. Navigating pregnancy and preparing for birth plus parenting are stressful and overwhelming enough. Having a knowledgeable guide and advocate through it all who listens and cares can make all the difference to a new family. We also have exciting staffing updates!Scroll until the end for a link to our referral form!

Things to Know About Health Insurance and Medi-Cal

Understanding health insurance can be tricky- especially with so many changes happening. We hope this newsletter helps you to understand the different resources available to families to help them navigate applying for, and continuing to receive, Medi-Cal, Partnership, and plans through Covered California.

Wrapping up October and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Awareness Month

How a parent puts their baby to sleep is a personal decision, with family, culture, history, economics, emotions and many other factors impacting that decision. Our hope is that all parents are informed and able to make decisions that feel safest for them. Safe Sleep Education requires humility, curiosity, patience and building trust.

Emergency Planning With Infants and Children

With fire season upon us, we wanted to bring attention to the importance of emergency planning with infants and children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable during emergencies.

National Breast feeding Month

Kicking off World Breast Feeding week and National Breastfeeding Month!

BIPOC Mental Health Month 2023

This newsletter is revisiting the topic of BIPOC Mental Health Month 2023

Pride Month

This newsletter is revisiting the topic of Pride Month 2023

Social Determinants of Health 2023

This newsletter is revisiting the topic of Social Determinants of Health 2023

Congenital Syphilis Update

This newsletter is revisiting the topic of Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis

MCAH Website

We have toolkits for providers, resources for LGBTQ+ families and information especially for fathers,

Breast/chestfeeding Updates and Resources

The 2023 Lancet Series on breastfeeding, Sonoma County signs on to the Welcome Congress letter, Pump Act benefits, donor breastmilk, state data, new LactRX app, and more!

Sonoma County Perinatal Health Data

Maternal and perinatal health data updates. Where we are doing well, and who needs more support.

Perinatal Resources for LGBTQ+ Folks

Families, fertility, and paths to parenthood for LGBTQ+ persons. Resources and Toolkits.

Back to School Resources

Get kids back to school with a new School Savings Account, Low Cost Internet, and the Sonoma County Library!

National Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Together we do great things. Breastfeeding education and goal setting is critical during pregnancy. 7 things to talk about.

MPX and Pregnancy

Clinical considerations for people who are pregnant and breastfeeding. Resources from CDPH and the CDC.

Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit

Perinatal mental health toolkit and resources for review and feedback.

Interconception care

Maximize postpartum care with interconception care recommendations and postpartum handouts for clients.

Good News: Kids Vax, PRM, Doulas, CHWs, and TIA PHN

Take a Summer Break with everything that's going well in Maternal Child and Adolescent Health! From Covid vaccines for kids from 6 months to a new article published by the TIA PHN program.

2 Years or beyond

AAP updates for breast/chestfeeding, flying with breastmilk, and the 2022 theme for National Breast/chestfeeding Month.

Roe v Wade a Public Health and an Equity Issue

A message from the Director of the California Department of Public Health: "The downstream health consequences of being denied access to this medical procedure are profound and disproportionately bore by those who can become pregnant."

Resources and Supports for Fathers

We are called Maternal Child and Adolescent Health, but we are here for all parents, Fathers too!

Racial Equity and Health

The American Medical Association, the nation's largest professional association of doctors, has created a comprehensive strategy for embedding racial and social justice within their organization for 2021-2023.

What is a Doula?

How Doulas help to improve birth outcomes and the Medi-Cal Doula benefit to take effect January 2023.

Formula shortage resources

CDPH/MCAH guidance, breastfeeding resources, help finding formula.

Fentanyl Awareness

In 2017, 4 Sonoma County residents died from fentanyl overdose. In 2020, 94 died. Only 2 mg (two grains of sand) of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose.

COVID effects on child development

Columbia University research finds developmental delays related to maternal stress early in pregnancy.

Maternal Mental Health Month updates

Perinatal mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, are the most common complication of pregnancy, affecting 1 in 3 pregnant persons.

Perinatal Hepatitis Updates

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a pregnant person poses a serious risk to the infant at birth.

Medi-Cal Covers Postpartum Care for 12 Months

The American Rescue Plan Postpartum Care Extension is here. Any person eligible for pregnancy or potpartum Medi-Cal coverage will now be entitled to coverage for a full 365 days following the end of pregnancy.

Perinatal Hemorrhage Toolkit

The new CMQCC Toolkit Version 3.0, incorporating latest evidence and best practices.

Keeping Medi-Cal beneficiaries Covered

When the Public Health Emergency expires Continuous Medi-Cal Coverage will also end. Learn how you can become a Coverage Ambassador and help our community understand what is happening and what they need to do.

Maternal Mental Health Forum

Highlights from the 20/20 MOM Annual Forum on Maternal Mental Health- New resources and research.

Spring e-Newsletter

New research and educational opportunities for Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Professionals.

How to be a Breast/Chestfeeding Ally

WIC Lactation Consultant, Susie McCulloch answers home visitors most asked questions about how to support breast/chest feeding.

Women’s History Month

How Moms Shape the World. Read about Medi-Cal’s strategy to Support Health and Opportunity for Children and Families and Before, Between and Beyond Pregnancy.

Public Health Home Visiting Programs

Sonoma County Maternal Child Health supports three home visiting programs serving pregnant and parenting persons. Learn more about these free programs and how to refer.

Promote Dental Care During Pregnancy

Only 66% of pregnant women in Sonoma County receive prenatal dental care. Learn about why prenatal dental care is important and resources to improve access.

Portrait of Sonoma County

The Portrait of Sonoma County 2021 will be used by leaders and organizers Countywide to inform future investment and policy decisions. Read the Portrait here and learn about other DHCS and program updates.

Love and Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infection. PrEP for Women and During Pregnancy- February 9, 2022

STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, increase the risk for HIV; women are under prescribed PrEP to protect against HIV infection. STD-HIV screening in pregnancy and 2021 STI treatment guidelines.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, data, training, patient information - January 26, 2022

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Sonoma County birthing community reports alcohol use rates twice the state average. There is no "safe" amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. Learn more, access patient handouts, link to trainings for medical professionals.

Covid updates: Vaccination during pregnancy talking points, new booster requirements and isolations guidelines - January 5, 2022

Local, State and CDC Covid updates for the perinatal community. New MCH vaccination in pregnancy talking points, the difference between antigen and PCR tests. Will Covid become endemic? Is Covid causing developmental delays in kids?

Financial literacy and financial well-being are important to overall health - January 19, 2022

Learn more about the link between financial literacy and overall health and wellness, and access resources for financial wellness and emergency financial support.

Birth Defects. Learn more about what causes, and how to prevent, Birth Defects - January 12, 2022

Not all birth defects are preventable, but healthy lifestyle choices lower the risk of birth defects. A combination of Exposures and Risk Factors contribute to raising or reducing the chances of birth defects. Learn more about lowering the risks of birth defects: