GBBB CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

BLACK INFANT HEALTH

A groundbreaking community health promotion and primary health care initiative, Great Beginnings for Black Babies, Inc. (GBBB) designed its Black Infant Health (BIH) program with a three-pronged approach to healthcare.  Integrating the client, the community, and the healthcare provider to empower women of color with the necessary tools to make informed health care decisions for themselves and their families, BIH seeks to improve or eradicate African American infant mortality, premature births and low birth rates by encouraging prenatal health care, Social Support and Empowerment classes and community outreach utilizing Community Health Outreach Workers.  This program services African American women ages 18 years and older, with a child up to 12 months in age.

HEALTHY MOMS AND BABIES

Picking up clients ineligible for services through BIH – teen moms, women of other ethnicities and African American women with children over age one year - Healthy Moms and Babies (HMB) is built on the BIH service delivery model, engaging in community outreach, health education, resource referrals, care coordination and social support.

SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS

Through its Beyond the Bell program, GBBB is able to provide a positive after school outlet for young children in at-risk communities.  Key program components include academic instruction, homework assistance, enrichment services and physical fitness in its core two schools, Ritter Elementary and 52nd Street School.

GBBB’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention program addresses the high rate of teen pregnancy by providing instruction on responsible sexual behavior, as well as encouraging abstinence.  A Parent Education Program provides classes for parents of teens to help facilitate comfortable conversations about early sexual behavior.  Another key program element is “Baby Think It Over,” where students in middle and high school health science classes are given the responsibility for caring for a computerized “real baby” for two to three days to discourage teen pregnancy by emphasizing the enormous responsibility of parenting.  A Pregnant Minor Program works with the schools to empower pregnant minors via social support and parenting skills to rear healthy children and to prevent second pregnancies from occurring during the teen years.  Based in Watts, these programs service Jordan and Locke high schools, Gompers and Markham middle schools and Riley Continuation School.

FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE

(http://www.fatherhoodinitiative.org)

Designed to equip fathers with the necessary skills to play an active role in the care and support of their children, GBBB’s Fatherhood Initiative launched in March 2009.  Providing individual counseling, linkages to social services, employment and health providers, the Fatherhood Initiative also offers educational workshops, support groups, social activities, public policy trainings and issues-oriented town hall sessions.