#OneRouge Community Check-In - Week 103
Week #103
'Teen Pregnancy & Maternal Health'
Quick Links: Notes, Zoom Chat, Community Announcements
Meeting Notes
Sula Spirit (Birth and Death Doula, Founding Director of the Na’Zyia Doula Collective (2007-2012) – the first Doula Collective of Color in the State of Louisiana)
I really want to first offer compassion and love to mothers, particularly to teen mothers. In my early work in 2006 I saw the disparity with teenage mothers. My first two or three years I didn’t accept any funds because these girls needed compassion and strength. What they did to get pregnant we’ve all done. They didn’t need judgment. They were not given as much compassion and help due to their age. We created the first doula collective of color in the state of Louisiana. There were seven of us. When it comes to teenage pregnancy I have a deep heart for our young women. I would love to see a program be resurrected for teenage mothers. Since the collective has dispersed, people have gone on to do their own work in our collective. One of our sisters is about to open a birthing center in New Orleans. It’s important that we don’t judge. My youngest mother that I helped birth was 13. No one showed up for her. Her family felt a way about her being pregnant. We don’t know the circumstances. We do know that the divine mother of creation don’t make mistakes. If a child is coming into the world there’s attention that’s needed because we believe that’s an ancestor coming back into the world. We see births as a sacred event. The fathering is extra crucial. We need you to stand by the women and be present. We need you to really be there for those that you love that may be bringing forth a child. I’m thankful to be here. In the death world, as we help people escort themselves to the other side, many people run away. I want to give a great consciousness. If you have a loved one or a friend who is ill, even if you can’t get to the hospital, you have no idea what that means to someone who is facing mortality. It’s a beautiful journey either way. Even for our doggies and cats when they pass away. Bring a mother and father’s love to any teenager you know. Most are dealing with great shame. Let them know it’s okay and it happens to the best of us. It’s a delicate place. I’ve been talking about forming a love circle for the young women. I see as I travel around the world the pain of the mother and father.
Andrew Bagnato (Nurse Supervisor, Partners for Family Health)
We’re part of the louisiana department of healths family bureau. This is a no cost voluntary program to improve the health and well being of pregnant. FAmilies are paired with registered nurses and they provide services to help them and parents to reach their parenting goals. Services provided include health, education and coaching, positive parenting skills, personal goals such as returning to work or school. Health education and coaching, parenting skills, mental health screenings. I want to ask you all to spread the word and refer people to our program. A lot of people will qualify.
-Joined by Alfrieda Judson - Alfrieda.judson@la.gov - Works in the Baton Rouge region.
And Tracie Ingram - Tracie.Ingram@la.gov
Frankie Robertson - Founder and president of The Amandla Group. Through my work I provide policy services. I represent organizations like March of Dimes, American Diabetes, etc. There are a lot of opportunities at the legislature right now. For teen pregnancy there’s talk about providing support for moms and dads and social support to families in general. Looking at this from a total approach. Why mom is having to work multiple jobs. Closing the wage gap by raising the minimum wage. As we’re looking at the social determinants of health, our state is one of the poorest, and teen pregnancy is a driver for lack of social mobility. Maternal mental health is a serious issue our society does not pay enough attention to. Just think about a young person or a child that has had a baby and the limited resources they have, think about how much stress that has to be for a young person. Addressing the needs of that family is very important. We know mental health and substance abuse disorder are linked. There’s a donor breast milk bill and a paid leave bill. They are all still alive and well. The social supports are very important for helping families have the humanity they need to survive and thrive.
QUESTIONS
Who are you serving and how do we get to that place
Andrew - parents struggling with the stresses of children in the criminal justice system. We accept everyone who qualifies for the program, regardless of any circumstances. We do mental health screenings. We have an amazing mental health team here.
We have the parents as teachers which assists all mothers. Not first time pregnant, but delivered for the first time. It doesn’t many how many they’ve been pregnant with. There’s a special criteria for those moms who may have delivered and the child did not survive, they are still considered a first time mom. We accept everyone. My job is to go out in the community to find what they need. Our job is to make sure the family unit and the mother uses her critical thinking skills to make the decision.
The challenge is that we have to open more minds. Yes, being pregnant as a teen is hard. My challenge now is we have a lot of high school babies that are pregnant and I cannot get the schools and upper levels to get this information into the hands of the parents, the teachers, etc to let these people know they are not alone. Once they get pregnant their self image is lacking.
Andrew - must be a first time mom, less than 29 weeks pregnant, and mom to be eligible for medicaid, wic or SSI. We have mothers as young as 11. We have first time mothers of all ages. As long as you meet those criteria, you qualify. There’s talk we might get a parents/teachers program in the Baton Rouge area. We have people who graduate and then go on and have a second or third child. We don’t have any age cutoff. On May 9 we’re going back into the homes.
Sheretta - How are we defining teen pregnancy. As we are thinking about this issue, how are we conceptualizing teen pregnancy? Is the driver of poverty that teenagers get pregnant or is there some deeper issue.
Traci Vincent - I was personally impacted by teen pregnancy. I think economic development or lack thereof creates several symptoms and one of those is teen pregnancy because it ripples into the family of things that can happen. I just feel like the resources would be present if the economic resources were available in the city.
Is there any recent studies out there about trends in age gaps between teen mothers and the fathers? I ask because I’ve heard historically it often trends that fathers are 3-6 years older.
Alfrieda - I don’t have any data, but we encourage whoever the father is to be within the lives of both mom and babe. I presently do not have any data on that. We follow mom until the baby is 2 years old.
Andrew - We track how much we help parents be economically self-sufficient, whether there’s domestic violence in the home. We don’t have anything about that specific data, but that could be happening at the clinical level during the home visits.
Helena - I’m not a teen mom, but I was 21, and I went through the young mother process. Yes there is support, but after I had the baby all my medicaid disappeared. While I was pregnant, I had the services, but after my son came out, I had to do it all on my own and I was a waitress. This was almost 11 years ago, so it could have changed by now. There are just so many things that happen after birth. If we’re going to care for the child, we have to care for the mother after the birth as well.
Are there any legislative issues for us to be aware of?
Andrew - We do have a legislative wing of the agency. We don’t really track the areas that you just brought up. I would have to check in with our legislative.
Alfrieda - there are two bills in the legislature now that are in depth about women’s health.
How do we get to a place where we are centering people and funding programs that are there to help? What can we do to encourage change that will allow mothers to parent their children in a way that’s not just supported for the first six weeks, but for all their lives?
Frankie - Collaborative engagement is important. WE know things like this are powerful. When we look at some of the roadblocks that we need, we often see some of the pushback coming from the business community. Yesterday we were supporting the paid leave legislation and there is resistance there. I would say for us as consumers, economics is important. If we are very passionate about these things, we have to go to our employers, the companies we patronize, we have to ask these questions. Look at the companies that are not at the table and ask why they are not there. As far as moms, we have to change the narrative. There shouldn’t be any shame. We have to unlearn so much that is outdated and damaging and we have to be intentional and look at the things we’re taking in. How do we do a better job educating ourselves? We have to unlearn a lot of things.
Casey - There are these enormous think tanks that get together and get with state lawmakers to get them on the national agenda. I don’t understand why there’s such a concervative movement against abortion when you’re forcing someone’s hand to do what they don’t want to do?
The whole movement has been steeped in white supremacy. The plantation economy is alive and well.
Frankie - Being in the capitol, yesterday they voted no to increase minimum wage and commerce voted to increase harmful payday lending. And you have the business lobby saying we don’t think there should be a minimum wage. They also voted down the threshold for the gig industry. There’s a lot of hypocrisy that’s enraging. The people are hurting. We have to continue to apply pressure and expose it. First we have to admit it’s a problem.
Rev. Anderson - One of the things that we are so woefully poor at is making the intersections clear to people. You cannot say you’re pro life but you’re in favor of killing everyone in angola. We want people to have babies but we don’t want to take care of them. It all goes back to voter engagement. If we keep allowing people to not vote, where we make facts clear to people. This space allows people to have completely different lines and say facts to matter. It ties to all of our drivers, at the end of the day when we’re not putting them all together, it doesn’t end up being valid. I love the work that Frankie does, but fighting for women’s health has been nightmarish.
SK Groll - I wanted to specifically lift up the lack of education in schools. The programming and educational resources that would determine how they want people to be is not reflected in schools. The governor funds abstinence education and that’s what’s allowed in schools. On tuesday, the house committee will hear the bill about prohibiting gender identity in schools and prevent teachers from discussing their own identity. I want us to not think about these things as isolated issues.
Zoom Chat
08:27:19 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole to Everyone:
HI all
08:27:27 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole to Everyone:
Checking in
08:29:03 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Have you guys stopped by Heard Dat Kitchen in New Orleans
08:29:17 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Heard Dat is most OUTSTANDING!
08:29:25 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
It's euphoric
08:29:48 From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone:
I hate that Gene's poboys closed down
08:30:11 From One Rouge to Everyone:
It was a tragedy. But the NOLA Art Bar is excellent
08:30:59 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole to Everyone:
I will be on for a brief bit today. My NYU ERJ committee has our summit (https://events.nyu.edu/event/300878-environmental-and-racial-justice-network-summit) so I will be hopping off early
08:31:11 From Luke St. John to Everyone:
Baldwin & Company
08:31:45 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole to Everyone:
Just wanted to say Hi and confirm that I will be in Baton Rouge May 16-20 and love to connect with folks in person IRL :-)
08:32:06 From Luke St. John to Everyone:
DJ Soul Sista
08:32:22 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Hey, Manny! I’m gonna look at my calendar to find a time to chat.
08:32:25 From Manohar Ramkumar Patole to Everyone:
08:32:28 From Andrew Bagnato (he/him) to Everyone:
https://www.baldwinandcobooks.com/
08:32:29 From Toni Bankston to Everyone:
CAsey my son has been gigging at the HiHO!
08:33:09 From Aimee Moles to Everyone:
Hi Mary I still miss you!
08:35:40 From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone:
I'm the poster child for teen pregnancy and overcoming every negative statistic that should have happened to me. I had my 1st child at 17
08:36:03 From One Rouge to Everyone:
I didn
08:36:10 From One Rouge to Everyone:
t konw that, @Esperanza
08:36:39 From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone:
No worries! Most don't
08:36:47 From One Rouge to Everyone:
<3
08:37:54 From Elizabeth Shephard to Everyone:
Thank you for everything you do at Hagar’s house in New Orleans! Love seeing you at Women Performing for Women. 🙏🙏🙏
08:38:55 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
Yes! Not all teen pregnancies are immediate moments of anxiety/despair…. There is also so much joy around these babies.
08:39:34 From One Rouge to Casey Phillips(Direct Message):
Hey, Friend. I don’t see Keshia Whaley. And I looking for the wrong last name?
08:39:53 From Casey Phillips to One Rouge(Direct Message):
No, i pushed her to the next call.
08:39:53 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Yes it matters
08:40:09 From Casey Phillips to One Rouge(Direct Message):
She had a medical issue pop up.
08:40:26 From Casey Phillips to One Rouge(Direct Message):
Sula Spirit (Birth and Death Doula, Founding Director of the Na’Zyia Doula Collective (2007-2012) – the first Doula Collective of Color in the State of Louisiana)
Andrew Bagnato (Nurse Supervisor, Partners for Family Health)
Rev. Deneen Robinson (State Policy Strategist, National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC)
08:41:44 From Patrisha’s iPhone to Everyone:
Amen!
08:42:07 From Patrisha’s iPhone to Everyone:
Thank you my Sister!
08:42:13 From Aimee Moles to Everyone:
what a lovely way to express this
08:42:22 From Alexis Phillips (she/her) to Everyone:
🙏🏼
08:43:08 From Casey Phillips to Everyone:
Many thanks!
08:43:37 From One Rouge to Everyone:
08:47:21 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Is there an age limit for the child to participate in this program?
08:47:34 From Alfrieda Judson, OS Region 2 to Everyone:
No age limited
08:48:14 From Alfrieda Judson, OS Region 2 to Everyone:
Must be a First time mom but we do have another program which assist all moms as well
08:48:20 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Can you all put your emails in the chat
08:48:30 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Can parents struggling with the stresses of children in the criminal justice system.
08:48:40 From Alfrieda Judson, OS Region 2 to Everyone:
08:48:41 From Tracie Ingram to Everyone:
08:49:29 From Helena Williams to Everyone:
One of my question was around the age definition of “teen”, is a 19, 20, 21 year old better equipped to be a parent in today’s day and age?
08:51:07 From Sherreta R. Harrison to Everyone:
Related to Helena's question: Are we really meaning teen or unwed teen mothers?
08:52:41 From Sherreta R. Harrison to Everyone:
For example if an 18 yo is pregnant and married do they fit our perception of this population?
08:53:17 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Alfrieda - what are some of the challenges you've faced when trying to find resources in the community? Where are we lacking?
08:53:47 From One Rouge to Everyone:
common sense????
08:54:00 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
You are trying to empower.
08:54:32 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
Curious as to whether the inherent concern in teen pregnancy is the age (psych dev) of the mother, or the lack of public supports that we have for mothers and children in general that is exacerbated when someone who hasn’t/recently entered the workforce must then support another human.
08:55:14 From One Rouge to Esperanza Zenon(Direct Message):
Hey, Friend. Would you like to share your story????
08:55:16 From Sherreta R. Harrison to Everyone:
Related issues for sure, Morgan.
08:55:18 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
Because many of these babies (of babies) are prayed over, wanted, and celebrated just as a child of a 30/40 yo would be. But the social supports are missing.
08:55:24 From Toni Bankston to Everyone:
Are some of your staff bilingual to assist young moms from other cultures?
08:56:20 From Sherreta R. Harrison to Everyone:
Pepper, my question is more about conceptualizing the issue and less about services.
08:56:54 From Patrisha’s iPhone to Everyone:
It not stupid at all
We have to redefine and clarify the age of a teenager
08:57:01 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Are you seeing more or less teen pregnancies?
08:57:07 From Casey Phillips to Everyone:
How has the wave of recent anti-abortion legislation across the country having on your current and future work?
08:57:12 From One Rouge to Sherreta R. Harrison(Direct Message):
Hey, Bestie/@Sherreta, Can you clarify your question for the good people?
08:57:14 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Is this information being provided through the multiple back to school events are held?
08:57:20 From Sherreta R. Harrison to One Rouge(Direct Message):
Yes
08:57:42 From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone:
I never really thought I had a story but okay sure
08:58:01 From Esperanza Zenon to Everyone:
oops!
08:58:11 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
How do expand when the legislative spirit is to shut down empowerment.
08:58:25 From Esperanza Zenon to One Rouge(Direct Message):
I never really thought I had a story but okay sure
08:58:37 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Oh, how did COVID impact your program?
08:58:50 From Esperanza Zenon to One Rouge(Direct Message):
can't right now it physical therapy but sure at a late date
08:58:51 From SK Groll to Everyone:
What an apt summary of the legislative spirit @Rev Anderson
08:59:07 From Patrisha’s iPhone to Everyone:
When you were virtual how did you support families with no internet
09:00:01 From Helena Williams to Everyone:
Is there any recent studies out there about trends in age gaps between teen mothers and the fathers? I ask because I’ve heard historically it often trends that fathers are 3-6 years older.
09:00:25 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
^BOOST
09:00:27 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
How many families are currently in your program? What percentage of the impacted population is being reached?
09:00:38 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
Do you work with any services that provide help to children of teen parents?
09:01:11 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
As they age up
09:01:16 From Aimee Moles to Everyone:
There are often deeper issues
09:02:45 From Elizabeth Shephard to Everyone:
Thank you for sharing🙏
09:03:03 From Helena Williams to Everyone:
Has anyone here seen FL’s bill on Involved Fatherhood? Is this something to emulate or use as a guide for what to do, what not to do? https://flgov.com/2022/04/11/governor-ron-desantis-signs-groundbreaking-legislation-to-support-involved-fatherhood-in-florida/
09:03:10 From Esperanza Zenon to One Rouge(Direct Message):
can't talk at physical therapy just listening
09:03:50 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
Pregnancy is often the most dangerous time for individuals impacted by domestic violence. Can you speak to whether your program proactively partners with domestic violence awareness?
09:03:54 From Helena Williams to One Rouge(Direct Message):
I was 21-22 if my story helps I can tell it
09:04:37 From Elizabeth Shephard to Everyone:
I’m honestly just surprised that Florida did that! 🙃But seems like something to consider for sure.
09:05:03 From Casey Phillips to One Rouge(Direct Message):
Frankie Robertson would be a good person to ask about current legislation (state and national)
09:05:12 From One Rouge to Helena Williams(Direct Message):
i am happy to hear your story! That’s still super young.
09:05:49 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Do people "graduate" to another program that keeps going with them if they need help after the baby is 2 years old?
09:06:06 From One Rouge to Casey Phillips(Direct Message):
Frankie Robertson is same org as Rev. Deneen and I’ll ask her to speak, but in the original emails, she deferred to their leadership to identify who would speak for the organization.
09:06:31 From One Rouge to Frankie Robertson she/her(Direct Message):
Good morning, Ma’am. Rev. Deneen isn’t here. Would you mind sharing info on policy work y’all are doing????
09:06:43 From Zoom user to Everyone:
Is sex education a part of your program as a preventative measure?
09:06:59 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
I’m troubled by the perpetuation of teen pregnancy only being an issue for the mothers/birthing parents. The fathers do/should be considered in this convo as well, or we risk supporting a culture in which the birthing parent is normed as the solely responsible party. How are we preparing the partners for the care/support required?
09:07:06 From Toni Bankston to Everyone:
Interpretation services or bilingual staff especially for LatinA/X moms?
09:07:40 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
As Baton Rouge becomes more culturally diverse is your program hiring staff that can relate both culturally and speak the language?
09:08:32 From Elizabeth Shephard to Everyone:
^^^^^
09:08:53 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
This is one of the areas where the excessive overage issue in schools becomes interconnected.
09:09:52 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
We have to ask why we don't recognize the value of health care from the womb to the tomb.
09:09:55 From Patrisha’s iPhone to Everyone:
The mothers are still in a sense ‘abandoned’
09:10:26 From Helena Williams to One Rouge(Direct Message):
Frankie says she wants to share too
09:10:56 From One Rouge to Helena Williams(Direct Message):
Fantastic! She can go next
09:11:13 From Frankie Robertson she/her to Everyone:
I’d love to share!
09:11:35 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
We have different standards of parenting for low wealth communities and high end. We don't value parent-bonding time for low wealth families.
09:11:48 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Gotcha, Frankie. You are up next.
09:12:07 From Samantha Morgan to Everyone:
Andrew - was your program available 11 years ago?
09:12:18 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
What will the passage of the Women's Health Office mean to your work?
09:12:19 From Helena Williams to Everyone:
We don’t separate puppies until 8 weeks but we want human babies to leave their mom at 6?
09:13:02 From One Rouge to Everyone:
^^^ so much that!
09:13:36 From Gwen Mack to Everyone:
Things are still moving slowly but with Medicaid expansion the mother is still covered after her pregnancy. She would still be qualified for medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health benefits. So both mother and baby will still have coverage
09:14:01 From SK Groll to Everyone:
We also don’t value all people as parents. Our language around parenting reflects who is desired as a parent, and therefore structurally supported, and who is not. People of all backgrounds and identities become parents in a myriad of ways, and all deserve support, including seeing their families reflected in spaces that support birthing people!
09:14:41 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
@helena well once they’re 6 weeks they should be getting a job right?! Be productive. Geez. (Sarcasm)
09:14:56 From Alexis Jones - Habitat for Humanity to Everyone:
That's awesome to hear, Alfrieda!
09:15:20 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
I would love for you to speak to the mental health component to the Louisiana Behavioral Health Advisory Council Children and Youth Subcommittee Meeting.
09:15:58 From Alfrieda Judson, OS Region 2 to Everyone:
HB90 and HB 650
09:19:42 From One Rouge to Everyone:
09:22:02 From Sherreta R. Harrison to Everyone:
Frankie, you are amazing! Thank you for this information!!!!
09:22:12 From One Rouge to Everyone:
YAAAASSSSS!!!!!!
09:22:16 From Aimee Moles to Everyone:
Headed to next meeting. One of my favorite topics as a formal perinatal social worker.
09:22:42 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
She has things to say!
09:22:55 From Frankie Robertson she/her to Everyone:
Zeo has plenty to day!!!
09:23:00 From Frankie Robertson she/her to Everyone:
Zoe!
09:23:13 From Frankie Robertson she/her to Everyone:
Exactly!!!!
09:23:29 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
Lactation support is so important. Especially for WOC given the historical barriers and racial histories of breastfeeding in this country, particularly for Black women.
09:24:04 From Frankie Robertson she/her to Everyone:
It’s normal and a necessary discussion. No apologies.
09:24:11 From Kim Mosby to Everyone:
Not TMI! We have to normalize breastfeeding!
09:24:11 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
Not TMI. We drink liquids from animal breasts all day everyday 😂
09:24:29 From Liz Shephard, LifeCity (she/hers) to Everyone:
lol
09:26:40 From Liz Shephard, LifeCity (she/hers) to Everyone:
I think that’s why we have to engage the business community
09:27:33 From Andrew Bagnato (he/him) to Everyone:
https://www.healthline.com/health/chestfeeding
09:27:44 From Morgan Udoh (She/Her/They) to Everyone:
Children have to be seen as fully valuable beyond their initial celebratory introduction to the world. Their agency and development from 6 weeks to adulthood must be prioritized (over capitalism) but our social structures are in direct opposition to that. Childism is the foundation that prevents our creative solutions. “Everywhere, everywhere, children are the scorned people of the earth.”
— Toni Morrison
09:27:47 From Patrisha’s iPhone to Everyone:
Amen Frankie!!!
09:27:47 From Traci Vincent to Everyone:
THIS!!!
09:29:07 From Kim Mosby to Everyone:
Have to run to the next meeting. Have a great weekend, all!
09:29:29 From One Rouge to Everyone:
@Morgan, And ya right!!!
09:29:47 From Sherreta R. Harrison to One Rouge(Direct Message):
Gott run! Good stuff!
09:29:55 From One Rouge to Sherreta R. Harrison(Direct Message):
Bye, Bestie!
09:29:57 From Rev Anderson to Everyone:
I'm so concerned that assessment for items like lead poisoning, issues around environmental contamination and dirty water actually aren't used to address the issue but penalize the mothers.
09:29:59 From Frankie Robertson she/her to Everyone:
THIS CASEY!!!!!
09:30:07 From Frankie Robertson she/her to Everyone:
Exactly what happens.
09:30:53 From One Rouge to Everyone:
Rev. Anderson, you are so right.
09:30:59 From Jan Ross - Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation to Everyone:
Great conversations.