Healthy Births Learning Collaboratives

Networks of perinatal stakeholders, working together to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes in LA County

The Healthy Births Learning Collaboratives (or HBLCs as they are commonly called) provide free, interactive, community-based meetings, intended to promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, collaborative planning and action among the network of stakeholders interested in improving pregnancy and birth outcomes in Los Angeles County. HBLCs are held throughout Los Angeles County in each of the Service Planning Areas (SPAs).

HBLCs are networks of community members, consumers, care and service providers, public health professionals, researchers, leaders, advocates, and other stakeholders, grouped by Service Planning Area of Los Angeles County, whose primary aim is to work together to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes in their community and Los Angeles County.

The HBLCs:

• Support venues for representatives from the Best Babies Collaboratives, other networks and initiatives, and community members to come together on a regular basis for shared learning, planning, and action;

• Work with LA Best Babies Network to guide policy and advocacy activities, to create sustainable action plans to address perinatal issues; and

• Receive support from LA Best Babies Network in the form of central coordination, administrative and technical assistance.

HBLCs offer:

• Enhancement of skills through educational activities
• Technical assistance on pregnancy, infancy and child health, program planning, implementation, evaluation, policy and advocacy, building collaboration and other topics that impact pregnant women and families.
• Information on community-specific resources,
• Policy activities on issues impacting pregnancy and maternal health,
• Notice of funding opportunities.
• Networking and collaborative opportunities for maternal and child health and community professionals from local and nearby communities.
• A way of providing community input to The LA Best Babies Network to guide policy and advocacy activities, and identify information and service needs for local communities; and
• Opportunities for collaborative planning and action to implement evidence-based and community-proven approaches to improving pregnancy and birth outcomes.