WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the 6th annual National Maternal and Infant Health Summit in September, politicians, birthing and parenting advocates and labor professionals came together to discuss the state of working moms nationally.
The public benefits available to parents in Washington, D.C., were a recurring talking point; naturally, with District-specific politicians sitting on the panel, D.C.’s paid family leave and fertility benefits were focal points.
As federal funding for child care specifically hangs in the balance, here are five resources D.C. employers can share with the working parents on their payroll.
1. Healthcare facilities providing prenatal care in D.C.
The health department provides a directory of prenatal healthcare facilities in the district that offers OB/GYNs, family doctors, nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives. The list has options in all eight wards.
2. Postpartum blues resources, including child and family services
The district’s healthcare finance department, which deals with benefits, acknowledges the realities of postpartum depression. Resources suggested include the DC Child and Family Services Agency-Safe Haven Program, the DC Department of Behavioral Health, DC Healthy Start and the Developing Families Center.
The Newborn Safe Haven Amendment Act of 2010 provides parameters for D.C. residents to drop off their infant at district hospitals, which are designated safe havens. Additionally, D.C.’s behavioral health department provides same-day urgent care for mental health needs.
3. Prenatal care for expecting women of color
The aim of the Developing Families Center is to provide maternal health support for women of color in D.C., including community programs, front-line care and advocacy. As one doctor stated on the center’s website, “Black women account for 90% of all pregnancy-related deaths in D.C. despite only accounting for roughly half of all births. This really speaks to the disparities that we see in the maternal health landscape.”
4. The Working Mom Conference
The Working Mom Conference, which serves the DMV area, takes place in Washington, D.C. The 2023 event takes place October 20-22, 2023. The group presents networking opportunities such as the “Making the Motherhood Connection” brunch. Similar to the National Maternal and Infant Health Summit, this conference offers on-site child care.
5. Community resources for new moms
Help Me Grow D.C. is an organization supporting pregnant people, families and children aged 0 to 5 years old. HMG aims to field prenatal questions and queries about a child’s development or behavioral health.
Additionally, they can help direct people to healthcare professionals. (The D.C. Department of Health’s hotline for expecting parents through HMG is 1-800-MOM-BABY. ) Akin to HMG, the district government offers resources for new mothers through its Thrive by Five program.
