Call for Volunteers: Festival of Children

MOMS Orange County is honored to once again participate in the Festival of Children Foundation’s month-long celebration showcasing childrens’ charities.  We are recruiting volunteers to facilitate our booth at the Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza every weekend in the month of September!  Volunteers will host a MOMS information booth which will also include coloring and mini-games for kids.  Great for networking and building communications skills!

Volunteer shifts are available every weekend in September from 12-4pm. Below are the available shifts.  Each 2-hour shift requires two people.

Sat, 9/4: 12-2pm and 2-4pm       Sun, 9/5: 12-2pm and 2-4pm
Sat, 9/11: 12-2pm and 2-4pm     Sun, 9/12: 12-2pm and 2-4pm
Sat, 9/18: 12-2pm and 2-4pm     Sun, 9/19: 12-2pm and 2-4pm
Sat, 9/25: 12-2pm and 2-4pm     Sun, 9/26: 12-2pm and 2-4pm

*All volunteers must be at least 16 years old.  Anyone younger than 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a fun volunteer opportunity which allows you to share about MOMS Orange County and join the Festival of Children festivities.  South Coast Plaza is abuzz with children and families during the weekend and the festive air makes the time pass quickly!  There are also an array of arts & crafts and performances during the day, so it’s a one-stop fun-filled day.  Grab a friend and volunteer!

If you are a student interested in community service hours and/or if you want to volunteer on behalf of a worthwhile non-profit organization, contact Julie Vo at jvo@momsorangecounty.org or (714) 352-3428 by Friday, August 27, 2010.

Additional info about MOMS Orange County & Festival of Children
Held annually, this month long celebration of childhood showcases more than 60 children’s charities for support, services, and volunteer opportunities, and offers children and families free access to arts, culture, and educational opportunities through over 100 activities, workshops, and performances.  Since it began in 2002, Festival of Children has graciously extended the opportunity for MOMS Orange County to be a charity exhibited at the event, held at South Coast Plaza in Cost Mesa.  Each charity is given a booth, which gives us greater visibility and the chance to introduce MOMS Orange County to the many people who frequent South Coast Plaza.

Community-Based Breastfeeding Resources

Orange County

Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition

www.ocbreastfeedingcoalition.org

Orange County Public Health Community Nursing

www.ochealthinfo.com

La Leche League

www.llli.org

Anaheim-Fullerton Family Resource Center

http://www.factoc.org/anaheim-fullerton.html

Costa Mesa Family Center

www.shareourselves.org

Oak View Family & Community Center

http://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/Government/Departments/community_services/humanservices/oak_view_center.cfm

Magnolia Park Family Resource Center

http://www.ci.garden-grove.ca.us/?q=commserv/familyresource/magnoliapark

Nhan Hoa Comprehensive Health Care Clinic

www.nhanhoa.org/all.html

La Habra Family Resource Center

http://www.frclahabra.org/

Delhi Community Center

http://www.delhicenter.com/

Corbin Family & Community Center

http://www.factoc.org/corbin.html

South Orange County Family Resource Center

www.socfrc.org

Community Snapshots

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who contributed their time and energy at this year’s Orange County Fair!  Community members read to children at the early literacy-focused Reading Corner in the Children’s Fun Zone, hosted by The Children and Families Commission of Orange County.  Volunteers also provided parents with reading tips and gave out new and gently used books to families.

*Pictures courtesy of the Childrens & Families Commission of Orange County

Smile Day at MOMS Orange County

Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County works to improve the oral health of children in Orange County.  On July 30, 2010, Health Smiles staff and volunteers came to MOMS Orange County on a bright and sunny summer day to educate approximately 30 client families on the importance of oral health through a puppet show and colorful visuals and story-telling.  Children also received dental screenings and fluoride varnish was applied on growing teeth.  Fluoride varnish, a dental preventive treatment, reduces the incidence of early childhood tooth decay in combination with dental health counseling for parents.

Thank you Healthy Smiles for Kids for the Smile Day screenings and sharing with MOMS Orange County families on the importance of oral health!  Healthy teeth leads to Happy Smiles!

*Click here to see more pictures from Smile Day at MOMS Orange County*

Funding News

MOMS Orange County Receives $20,000 through Orange County Community Foundation’s ReachOut OC Program

MOMS Orange County received a $20,000 grant award from the Orange County Community Foundation as a result of its ReachOut OC community fund drive.  The grant will support Maternal-Child Health Coordination, an evidence-based, best practice program which provides in-home education and support to mothers and babies during pregnancy and throughout the baby’s first birthday. 

Through monthly home visits, MOMS Orange County clients receive one-on-one education and support during pregnancy and through the baby’s first birthday.  Major components of the program include: Maternal Health Screenings & Education; Pregnancy & Diabetes Care Coordination; Breastfeeding Education & Support; Infant Health & Developmental Screenings; and Referral Services.

The ReachOut OC grants totaled $655,000 awarded to 40 Orange County-based nonprofit organizations providing safety-net services to vulnerable families and children impacted by the economic crisis, including food pantries and meal services, transitional housing and rental assistance, job training and skills development, and access to medical care and counseling services.

Founded in 1992, MOMS Orange County has been recognized by the Health Care Agency of Orange County, the Children & Families Commission of Orange County, the California Department of Health Services, and the United States Congress for its innovative work in the community and impact on the health of women and babies in Orange County.

Click here or on the video to watch the special ReachOut OC Community Response

10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

What does being a “Baby-Friendly Hospital” mean?

The Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global effort by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding. It aims to ensure that all maternities, whether free standing or in a hospital, become centers of breastfeeding support. Hospitals and maternity units set a powerful example for new mothers.

The “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” developed by UNICEF and WHO are the foundation of the BFHI to ensure maternity services are providing the right start for every infant and the necessary support for mothers to breastfeed. A maternity facility can be designated ‘baby-friendly’ when it does not accept free or low-cost breast milk substitutes, feeding bottles or teats, undergone a rigorous on-site survey and has implemented these 10 specific steps to support successful breastfeeding:

• Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
• Train all health care staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy.
• Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
• Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within half an hour of birth.
• Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.
• Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breast milk unless medically indicated.
• Practice “rooming in” – allowing mothers and infants to remain together – 24 hours a day.
• Encourage breastfeeding on demand – whenever the baby is hungry.
• Give no artificial teats or pacifiers (also called dummies or soothers) to breastfeeding infants.
• Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

Today this check-list is used by hospitals in more than 150 countries.  In 2009, St. Joseph Hospital became the first hospital in Orange County to be designated as “Baby Friendly” with Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital following soon after in the same year.

(Source: www.babyfriendlyusa.org)

Breastfeeding Education & Support Program

In January 2009, MOMS Orange County introduced the Breastfeeding Education & Support Program through funding from the St. Joseph Health System Foundation.  In addition to extensive staff training on breastfeeding and client education during home visits, a bi-lingual Breastfeeding Support Coordinator teaches breastfeeding classes and facilitates breastfeeding support groups, provides telephone consultation and offers one-on-one guidance for mothers experiencing breastfeeding issues.

Breastfeeding education and support have always been an integral component of MOMS Orange County’s curriculum.  The most recent targeted breastfeeding efforts are a result of MOMS Orange County’s 2007-2009 Strategic Planning process in which its Board of Directors identified breastfeeding as a priority focus area and set a goal to increase in-home education and support for breastfeeding mothers.

According to the 15^th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children, Orange County currently ranks 42nd in the rate of women exclusively breastfeeding upon discharge (among the 50 counties in California).  The addition of the Breastfeeding Coordinator has resulted in significant improvements in the breastfeeding rates among MOMS Orange County clients.  In the last year, 92% of MOMS Orange County clients are breastfeeding their babies upon discharge from the hospital (with a 6% increase from 2008 in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge from the hospital).  MOMS Orange County has found that the sooner its clients are informed in their pregnancy about the benefits of breastfeeding, the greater the effects of MOMS Orange County’s breastfeeding education and support and subsequently, a growing baby receiving everything it needs through exclusive breastfeeding.

Click here to read A Breastfeeding Journey

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month!

In 2004, the Office of Women’s Health, as part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, launched the National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign and deemed August as National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.  The purpose of the campaign is to empower and encourage mothers to commit to breast-feeding by highlighting new research showing that babies who are exclusively breast-fed for six months are less likely to develop health issues such as respiratory illnesses and childhood obesity.The experience of breastfeeding is special for so many reasons, including:

• The joyful bonding with your baby
• The perfect nutrition only you can provide
• The cost savings
• The health benefits for both mother and baby

In fact, breast milk has disease-fighting antibodies that can help protect infants from several types of illnesses. Breastfeeding isn’t just good for babies—it improves the health of mothers, too!  A study published in the Diabetes Journal (February 2010) found that lactation is linked to a decreased chance of having a cluster of risk factors associated with obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

It is important to keep in mind that breastfeeding is a learned skill. It requires patience and practice. For some women, the learning stages can be frustrating and uncomfortable. On top of that, some situations make breastfeeding even harder, such as babies born early or health problems in the mother. The good news is that it will get easier, and support for breastfeeding mothers is growing.

Motherhood is so special because a mother can make the food that is uniquely perfect for her baby. Investing the time in oneself and one’s baby is optimal for health and creates a bond that will last a lifetime.

(Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding)

Agent of Change

MOMS Orange County is extremely proud to share that its CEO, Pamela Pimentel, has been recognized by The Children & Families Commission of Orange County as an Agent of Change.  Celebrating 10 years of investments in the community, Pam is honored as one in ten individuals who are impacting lives and fulfilling the mission of what Prop 10 dollars are all about through their leadership.  As Pam often says, “When a baby is born healthy–all good things in life are possible.”What is Prop 10?  Click here for more information on The Children & Families Commission of Orange County and their positive impact in our community.

Look for MOMS Orange County in July’s OC Family Magazine (page 31)

Click here to go straight to the new digital edition of OC Family Magazine!

CEO of MOMS Orange County Is Driven By a Simple Belief: When a Baby is Born Healthy – All Good Things in Life Are Possible
(See complete article…)

Click here or on the video below to watch Pam’s interview and
hear from other Agents of Change in Orange County.

Volunteer Opportunities this Summer and Fall

MOMS Orange County is in need of volunteers on SUNDAY, JULY 18th and SATURDAY, August 7th at the 2010 Orange County Fair’s Children’s Fun Zone.  Volunteers will read aloud to children at the early literacy-focused Reading Corner, hosted by The Children and Families Commission of Orange County, a long-time MOMS Orange County supporter. Volunteers will read to young children, provide parents with reading tips and give out new and gently used books to children.We are looking to staff 4 shifts, with at least TWO people per shift (a total of 8 volunteers each day). Also, for your two hours of service, you will receive FREE admission and parking to the Fair! So, you can spend a few hours reading to cute kids and enjoy the rest of the time before or after at the fabulous OC Fair!  All volunteers for OC Fair booth must be 18 years and older. The shifts are:

10am-1pm (2 volunteers)
1pm-4pm (2 volunteers)
4pm-7:30pm (2 volunteers)
7:30pm-11pm (2 volunteers)

Please contact Julie at jvo@momsorangecounty.org or 714-352-3428 if you are interested in volunteering or have questions.

Click here for more information on the Children and Families Commission of Orange County.

Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATES for the
9th Annual Festival of Children this September.

Held annually, the month long celebration of childhood showcases more than 60 children’s charities and offers children and their families free access to arts, culture, and educational opportunities through over 100 activities, workshops, and performances.

*pictures courtesy of Festival of Children Foundation

Since it began in 2002, Festival of Children has graciously extended the opportunity for MOMS Orange County to be a charity exhibited at the event, held at South Coast Plaza in Cost Mesa.  Each charity is given a booth, which giives us greater visibility and the chance to introduce MOMS Orange County to the many people who frequent South Coast Plaza .

Shifts are TWO hours each (12-2pm or 2-4pm) each weekend in the month of September.  Volunteer Duties consist of: Tabling the booth during your shift; sharing about MOMS Orange County (you’ll be given a fact sheet); and managing the Information sign-in and brochures.  All volunteers must be at least 16 years old.  Anyone younger than 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a fun volunteer opportunity which allows you to share about MOMS Orange County and join the Festival of Children festivities.  South Coast Plaza is abuzz with children and families during the weekend and the festive air makes the time pass quickly!  There are also an array of arts & crafts and performances during the day, so it’s a one-stop fun-filled day.  Grab a friend and volunteer!

Please contact Julie at jvo@momsorangecounty.org or 714-352-3428 if you are interested in volunteering or have questions.

Click here for more information on the Festival of Children Foundation

www.momsorangecounty.org