SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Join the community for Unity in CommUNITY Day. The annual community family reunion, which will be held on Saturday, September 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s event promises to be a day filled with fun, food, and festivities!

Event highlights include:

• Chill N Grillin BBQ ComPITition: Delicious barbecue sampling included with admission
• Car Show: Check out a variety of cool rides.
• Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances by the route 66 dance studio
• Folklorico Dancers and live music by The Summit High School Band, and Kids zone.
• Vendors: Arts and crafts, jewelry, food vendors and more.
• Resource Booths: Information on all cancer-related illnesses, with a special focus on Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
• Mexican Independence Day Celebration: Embrace the culture and enjoy the festivities!

Why go out of town for Labor Day? Stay local, relax, and let us handle the cooking and cleaning. This is a family event you won’t want to miss!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-– LUE Productions is thrilled to announce, “3 Shades of Lue,” a dynamic and immersive showcase of talent featuring the incomparable Lue Dowdy. Set to take place on Saturday, September 7th, this event promises an evening of electrifying performances that will leave audiences captivated.

“3 Shades of Lue” will transport attendees through three unique dimensions of music, dance, and entertainment. From enchanting jazz melodies to infectious disco rhythms and timeless old-school R&B charm, Lue Dowdy will showcase her soulful vocal prowess like never before.

The talent lineup for the evening includes an array of exceptional performers:

• Comedian Tamiko Kirkland
• Poet Dion Jahmal
• Dancers Zada and Dancekeyshia
• Old-School Rap tribute by Comedian Kevin Davis

Guiding the audience through the festivities will be hosts Comedian Mac Rome and Tawnya Henley of Talk of the Town, ensuring an evening filled with laughter and joy.

Accompanying Lue Dowdy onstage will be the mesmerizing LueBella dancers Deeveatva Bourne and LaKyshia Reddick, adding an extra layer of visual spectacle to the performance.

In addition to the main acts, guests can look forward to entertainment by a live DJ spinning tracks with a comedic twist, as well as soul-stirring poetry to feed the spirit.

Presale tickets are available now, with options for show-only admission or meal-inclusive packages. Early bird pricing is in effect until July 1st, offering discounted rates for those who secure their tickets in advance.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, September 7^th
• Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm, show starts at 6:30 pm
• Location: 624 W. 4th St, Unit G San Bernardino, CA

Tickets can be purchased by cashapp ($Lueproductions) or Zelle (909.567.1000). For more information, contact 909.567.1000 or 909.556.7637, or email Lue.info@yahoo.com. Visit www.lueproductions.org for updates and details.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening of music, dance, and entertainment unlike any other. Join LUE Productions for “3 Shades of Lue” and experience the magic firsthand!

YUCAIPA, CA— Michelle Riggs, director of institutional advancement at Crafton Hills College (CHC), was appointed in June to the Network of California Community College Foundations (NCCCF) board of directors for a three-year term.

The NCCCF’s mission is to advance and increase philanthropy to California’s community colleges. Community colleges receive less state funding per student than all other types of California public schools and the NCCCF’s efforts hope to bridge the gap.

“I am honored to join the NCCCF board of directors and contribute to the vital work of advancing philanthropy for California’s community colleges,” said Riggs. “I see firsthand the transformative impact that financial support can have on our students’ lives. I look forward to collaborating with my peers across the state to help bridge the funding gap and ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.”

In her current role at CHC, Riggs oversees the college’s fundraising efforts, alumni relations and community engagement initiatives. With a deep commitment to student success, She has been instrumental in securing financial support to enhance educational opportunities at the college.

NCCCF represents 56 foundations supporting community colleges or districts throughout California. There are 116 California community colleges serving 1.8 million students collectively. To strengthen philanthropy in California’s community colleges, the NCCCF provides members with professional development, peer support, access to resources, and collaborative opportunities.

For more information about NCCCF, visit https://ncccfweb.org/Home.aspx.

Asthma is a significant public health issue, particularly among Medi-Cal members.

Black Californians are five times more likely to visit the emergency department and four times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than White Californians, and more than 2 million Latinos in the state live with asthma.

Medi-Cal offers new services to help members manage and reduce asthma triggers where they often experience them most, in their own home.

Asthma Remediation as Part of Community Supports

Asthma Remediation is one of the 14 optional Community Supports Medi-Cal managed care plans can offer. Community Supports are new and improved services to help Medi-Cal members get well-rounded, whole person care that goes beyond the doctor’s office or hospital.

This program provides home modifications and interventions to manage asthma symptoms, reduce emergency room visits, and improve the quality of life for eligible members.

Transform Your Home to Manage Asthma

Medi-Cal’s Asthma Remediation service covers essential modifications to ensure your home is a safe haven, including:

• Allergen-impermeable mattress and pillow covers to block dust mites.
• High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuums to effectively remove allergens.
• Integrated Pest Management services to eliminate pests that can trigger asthma.
• De-humidifiers to control moisture levels and prevent mold growth.
• Mechanical air filters to keep indoor air clean.
• Asthma-friendly cleaning products and supplies that contain minimal chemical irritants.
• Minor mold removal and remediation services to ensure mold-free living spaces.
• Other moisture-controlling interventions to maintain a dry and healthy environment.
• Ventilation improvements to enhance air circulation.
• Other medically appropriate and cost-effective interventions identified by your health care provider.

How to Access Asthma Remediation Services

To qualify for these services, members must meet certain criteria:

• Eligibility Criteria: The member must have poorly controlled asthma, indicated by recent emergency department visits, hospitalizations, frequent urgent care visits, or a score of 19 or lower on the Asthma Control Test.
• Home Evaluation: An assessment of the member’s home must be conducted through the Asthma Preventive Services benefit to determine needs and the suitability of any requested remediation(s).
• Health Provider’s Order: A licensed health care provider must request the necessary remediations based on member needs.

Members can reach out to their managed care health plan or speak with their doctor to find out more information about available Asthma Remediation services.

Comprehensive Support and Education

Asthma Remediation goes beyond home modifications. The program also empowers members with knowledge, providing information about how to identify and mitigate environmental triggers commonly found in and around homes, including allergens and irritants. Members will learn how to:

• Use dust-proof mattresses and pillow covers.
• Properly use HEPA vacuums and asthma-friendly cleaning products.
• Implement moisture control measures and improve ventilation.
• Conduct minor home repairs, such as sealing cracks to prevent pest entry.

Financial and Coverage Details

Medi-Cal covers the costs of asthma remediations up to a lifetime maximum of $7,500 per member. This amount can be increased if significant changes in condition require additional modifications to ensure the member’s health, well-being, and safety, or to help the member achieve greater independence at home and avoid institutionalization or hospitalization. All interventions must adhere to state and local building codes and must be performed by licensed contractors to ensure quality and safety.

Enhancing the Member’s Quality of Life

Medi-Cal’s Asthma Remediation services are designed to supplement and enhance the care members already receive, providing comprehensive support to address the root causes of asthma triggers in the home.

With robust support, education, and financial coverage, Medi-Cal helps ensure that members receive the necessary modifications to live healthier lives.

Get Started Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with poorly controlled asthma, don’t wait to act. Contact your health care provider to discuss your eligibility for Medi-Cal Asthma Remediation services and start your journey toward a safer, healthier home.

For more information, call the state’s Medi-Cal Managed Care Office of the Ombudsman at (888) 452-8609 or email MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov.

In Riverside County and San Bernardino County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact:

• Inland Empire Health Plan: 800-440-4347
• Kaiser Permanente: 855-839-7613
• Molina HealthCare of California Partner Plan, Inc.: 888-665-4621

Take the first step today to transform your home into a healthier, safer environment.

By Maxim Elramsisy and Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media

Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic party’s nomination for President of the United States on Aug. 22, the fourth and final night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.

Harris, a former California U.S. Senator and Attorney General, needed the votes of 1,976 Democratic delegates to secure the nomination but exceeded that mark with 4,567 nods.

If elected, Harris, an Oakland native, would become the first Black, first Asian, and first woman President.

“On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American regardless of party, race gender, or the language your grandmother speaks, on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey, on behalf of Americans like the people I grew with, people who work hard, chase their dreams and look out for one another, on behalf of everyone whose stories can only be written in the greatest nation on Earth, I accept your nominations to be President of the United States,” Harris told the DNC delegates, officials and guests gathered at the United Center in Chicago.

Among Democratic leaders on hand to witness Harris’s historic nomination were a number of California state officials, the Golden State’s DNC delegates, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who officially delivered California’s 482 delegate votes for Harris on the floor of the convention.

“Kamala Harris has always done the right thing — a champion for voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, the rights for women and girls,” said Newsom, who was flanked by House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11) and Congressmember Maxine Waters (D-CA-43).

Pelosi, whose district includes San Francisco where Harris served as District Attorney, endorsed the Vice President and thanked President Biden for his leadership and “vision for a fairer America.”

During her address on the first night of the convention, Waters mentioned Fannie Lou Hamer, the revered civil rights, voting rights and women’s right’s activist who spoke at the DNC in 1964.

“When the dust settles in November, Americans of all stripes have elected her President of the United States, I know (Harris) will be thinking about Fannie Lou Hamer who I happen to know is one of Kamala’s heroes,” Waters said.

Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who served as official timekeeper of the convention, said she was humbled to have a front row seat to history “as we nominate my friend and a child of the East Bay.”

Other California state leaders at the convention were state constitutional officers Malia Cohen, Controller; Shirley Weber, Secretary of State; and Tony Thurmond, Secretary of Public Instruction.

Thurmond spoke to California Black Media on the floor of the convention after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former teacher and high school football coach, accepted the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential nomination on Aug. 21.

“If you want to get something done, you want a teacher, you want an educator,” Thurmond told CBM, referring to Walz.

“Teachers have to do everything, they have to pull things together, they have to find resources and he talked about running for congress being the underdog and finding ways to overcome those odds,” he added.

California U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler also spoke to CBM.

“This is the leader built for this moment,” said Butler. “This is a leader who knows how to do hard things. She knows that if we build the kind of coalitions required, we can do hard things when we choose to do them together.”

Attorney General Rob Bonta contrasted Harris’s speech with Trump’s at the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee.

“You could really see the authenticity, the decency, goodness, the fairness, and we need a big dose of that, given the alternative,” said the Attorney General.

According to several polls, the economy and good-paying jobs are among the most important issues for voters this election year.

“In this election, one thing is clear: Workers are going to stand with candidates who have stood with us and will continue to stand with us,” said SIEU Local 221 President Crystal Irving, who is a Los Angeles native.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who spoke the first night of the convention, praised Harris for creating the California Bureau of Children’s Justice when she was Attorney General.

Lateefah Simon, who is currently running to succeed Lee in a U.S. Congressional district that includes Oakland, spoke on the third night of the convention.

“I saw Kamala Harris holding the hands of sexual assault survivors,” said Simon, who worked for Harris for four years when she was District Attorney. “I saw scores of mothers who lost their babies to gun violence lining up day after day at the courthouse waiting to talk to Kamala because they knew that she would hear them.”

After Harris’s acceptance speech, Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) said, “Tonight, my friend and mentor Kamala Harris made history. She will make history yet again when she wins in November.”

Two days after returning home to California, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) said she was “inspired” by her experience serving as a delegate.

Praising Harris’s record, Mckinnor posted on X, “Her work on transformative justice, particularly ensuring people have the resources they need after being released from prison, is crucial in our fight against recidivism in California.”

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media??

Nvidia, the tech leader in artificial intelligence and the third largest corporation in the world — valued at around $3.06 trillion — announced last week that it is partnering with California Black Media (CBM) to create a critical resource that will support Black-owned newspapers in the state.

The same week, Nvidia, based in Santa Clara, also announced a partnership with the state that will train educators and students across California.

“The public-private collaboration supports the state’s goals in workforce training and economic development by giving universities, community colleges and adult education programs in California the resources to gain skills in generative AI,” the Nvidia statement read.

With CBM, Nvidia will “train a large language model on nearly a century of journalism by Black journalists in the state.”

“We are excited to collaborate with NVIDIA to empower publishers in our sector,” said Regina Wilson, Executive Director of CBM. “This partnership places the Black Press at the forefront of journalism and technology, unlocking innovative opportunities that will drive the future of our industry.”

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media??

So far, 82% of eligible voters in California registered to vote in the November general election, Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber announced last week.

The voter registration report states that over 22 million voters have registered to vote, a slight decrease in the total number of voters that registered in the previous general in 2020. According to state data nearly half of the voters registered as Democrats, approximately 46%, as compared to nearly 24% who identified as Republican.

The report covers a period of 123 days, ending on July 5.

A growing number of voters selected that they had no party preference. Over 24 percent of voters preferred neither party.

Last month, Weber announced that the state mailed vital information to every voting household about the general election, including candidate statements. The state also provided information regarding the Voter Bill of Rights and official voter guide available in 10 languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, and Hindi, among others.

According to state data from all 58 counties, political affiliation varied by county revealing that the Democratic Party had a slight lead in major counties. The counties with the highest number of registered Democrats include San Francisco, Marin, Santa Cruz, and Alameda counties. While counties such as Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, and Tehama had the highest number of Republicans registered to vote.

Weber has pushed back on misinformation and conspiracy theories about the vote-counting process following the county election earlier this year. Weber’s office clarified that election results would be finalized 38 days after election day to certify the results.

“Doing it right takes precedence over doing it fast,” said Weber.

“The time taken to process ballots ensures voters’ rights and the integrity of the election,” she said.

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Diablo Valley College student Ivan Hernandez realized his family didn’t have enough money to support his dream to go to college. However, he has been able to successfully apply for financial aid and is currently enrolled in community college.

“I have been very lucky that financial aid has been such a big factor in my education,” said Hernandez, a double major in Business Administration and Computer Science. “Without financial aid, I don’t think I could be in the education system like I am now.”

The California Community Colleges education system (CCS) enrolls 2.1 million students. Fifty-five percent of those students at the system’s 116 colleges receive financial aid.

According to CCS, 5%, or about 10,500 of its students are Black. Asians account for 11%, Whites, 23%, and Hispanics make up 48% of the student body.

Hernandez was among the speakers during an Aug. 15 press conference hosted by Ethic Media Services, California Black Media, and the California Student Aid Commission, geared at highlighting the Sept. 3 deadline for community college students to apply for financial aid for the 2024-25 school year through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application.

CSAC Executive Director Dr. Daisy Gonzales said financial aid makes education beyond high school financial possible for all students.

“Financial aid is the most important ingredient in student success in higher education,” said Gonzales, who noted she was a foster youth who used financial aid to attend community college and went on to earn her master’s degree and Ph.D. “I have walked the path of many students in California. Stories like mine do not happen by accident or luck.”

FAFSA is federal aid for students.

The application process for this school year requires students and parents to report their income from 2022.

Funds from FAFSA and the Dream Act help the state’s community colleges serve a substantial percentage of students who qualify as low-income students — with annual income $40,000 — and those who are undocumented or from immigrant families.

“Students regardless of their documentation status or the status of their family members can quality to have their tuition coved as well as aid to help cover costs like rent, food, transportation, and books,” she said. “There is even additional aid to help cover childcare for student parents.”

The amounts in aid packages vary, but for example the Chafee Grant for Foster Youth provides students with up to $5,000 an academic year for up to five years, while the Dreamer Service Incentive Grant awards up to $4,5000 per school year to undocumented students who do volunteer services with an approved organization. The Cal Grant Students with Dependents Grant gives up to $6,000 a year to student-parents to help cover costs associated with being a parent and student.

Applying for financial aid has been a challenge this year for many students due to delays and technical issues complicating the online form caused by the rollout of the FAFSA Simplification Act, which seeks to make federal student aid more gainable by widening Pell Grant eligibility and simplifying the form.

Six of the state’s community colleges — Irvine Valley College, College of San Mateo, Moreno Valley College, De Anza College, Saddleback College, and Santa Rosa Junior College — were listed among the top 20 community colleges in the U.S in a study conducted by WalletHub, a personal finance company, which was released last week.

The study looked at data from 650 schools nationwide that belong to the American Association of Community Colleges. Seventy-seven California community colleges were on the list.

For more information or to apply, visit Better FAFSA, Better CADAA or call 1-888-224-7368

SACRAMENTO – Recently, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks announced the establishment of a first-in-the-nation partnership with the State, news publishers, major tech companies and philanthropy, unveiling a pair of multi-year initiatives to provide ongoing financial support to newsrooms across California and launch a National AI Accelerator.

Together, these new partnerships will provide nearly $250 million in public and private funding over the next five years, with the majority of funding going to newsrooms. The goal is to front-load $100 million in the first year to kick-start the efforts. The total investment could increase over the next several years if additional funding from private or state sources becomes available.

“This agreement represents a major breakthrough in ensuring the survival of newsrooms and bolstering local journalism across California — leveraging substantial tech industry resources without imposing new taxes on Californians,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “The deal not only provides funding to support hundreds of new journalists but helps rebuild a robust and dynamic California press corps for years to come, reinforcing the vital role of journalism in our democracy.”

Assemblymember Wicks authored AB 886 to help ensure the sustainability of local journalism, as news outlets across the country are downsizing and closing at alarming rates. A Northwestern University study published last year found an average of two and a half newspapers in the United States close every week, and that our nation has lost two-thirds of its newspaper journalists since 2005. California has lost more than 100 newspapers in the last decade alone.

The new suite of initiatives includes multi-faceted support for publishers across California to address challenges that have impacted the depth and breadth of news coverage in the state. They will help ensure the sustainability of existing and new online publications – with an emphasis on small, local outlets and community-facing journalism.

“As technology and innovation advance, it is critical that California continues to champion the vital role of journalism in our democracy,” said Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. “This partnership represents a cross-sector commitment to supporting a free and vibrant press, empowering local news outlets up and down the state to continue in their essential work. This is just the beginning. I remain committed to finding even more ways to support journalism in our state for years to come.”

California news publishers will be the beneficiaries of a News Transformation Fund, to be administered by the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, providing financial resources that preserve and expand California-based journalism. The funding will include contributions from technology platforms and the State of California, supporting innovative new investments that promote local journalism. The funding will support California-based state and local news organizations, particularly those serving California local news deserts, underserved and underrepresented communities, and outlets that prioritize California coverage.

“The University of California is proud to partner with Governor Newsom and legislative leaders to bolster the critical work of local news organizations and journalists in California,” said UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D. “Californians depend on robust local and diverse news organizations to stay informed about their communities, and the University and specifically the UC Berkeley School of Journalism stand ready to support this endeavor.”

Funding for the initiative would be complemented by direct support from the State, helping news organizations keep and grow newsroom staff and offsetting the costs of producing local news and information.

“A vibrant press is crucial for strong communities and a healthy democracy. This is a first step toward what we hope will become a comprehensive program to sustain local news in the long term, and we will push to see it grow in future years,” said California News Publishers Association CEO Chuck Champion and Board Chair Julie Makinen. “We will work with the state and tech companies to make the most of this initiative. We’re grateful to Assemblymember Wicks for her passionate advocacy on behalf of our 700-plus member newsrooms.”

Partners in this initiative also reiterated their strong commitment to strengthening newsroom and ownership diversity for ethnic and underserved communities. The Governor also announced his support for AB 1511 (Santiago), which aims to increase the state’s ongoing commitment to place official marketing, advertising and/or outreach advertising with local and underrepresented media outlets.

“Ethnic and community media outlets in California have a long history of serving as trusted messengers of culturally responsive news to historically underrepresented and underserved communities,” said Assemblymember Miguel Santiago. “These initiatives ensure that California is embracing private sector innovation while developing partnerships with and seeding investments from the public sector to empower local publishers and journalists that are vital to a healthy, thriving democracy.”

Additionally, researchers and businesses will have access to new resources to explore the use of AI to tackle some of the most complex challenges facing society, and strengthen the workforce through a new National AI Innovation Accelerator. This will be administered in collaboration with a private nonprofit, and will provide organizations across industries and communities — from journalism, to the environment, to racial equity and beyond — with financial resources and other support to experiment with AI to assist them in their work. The AI accelerator will empower organizations with the new technology, and complement the work of the Journalism Fund by creating new tools to help journalists access and analyze public information.

“We appreciate the thoughtful leadership of Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Wicks, Chair Umberg, and Senator Glazer on these issues,” said Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer for Alphabet. “California lawmakers have worked with the tech and news sectors to develop a collaborative framework to accelerate AI innovation and support local and national businesses and non-profit organizations. This public-private partnership builds on our long history of working with journalism and the local news ecosystem in our home state, while developing a national center of excellence on AI policy.”

“A strong press is a key pillar of democracy, and we’re proud to be part of this partnership to utilize AI in support of local journalism across California,” said Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer for OpenAI. “This initiative builds on our longstanding work to help newsrooms and journalists around the world leverage AI to improve workflows, better connect users to quality content, and help news organizations shape the future of this emerging technology.”

Work will begin immediately to stand up both initiatives, which will go live in 2025. Included below is a range of quotes from additional supporters.

__________

What others are saying: 

“The work of local independent publishers is essential to a well-functioning democracy, and this new public-private partnership provides immediate and needed relief. Lawmakers should be proud of this program, which builds on California’s innovative Local News Fellowship with millions of new dollars in a way that prioritizes small publishers and those serving underrepresented groups.” – Chris Krewson, Executive Director of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, a national nonprofit with 76 of its 600 publisher members in California

“California is leading the way with this first-in-the-nation investment to protect the press and sustain quality journalism. This fund will help news outlets and journalists adapt to a changing landscape with new tools and funding to embrace emerging technologies. This is especially helpful for ethnic and community media which is comprised largely of under-resourced family businesses whose strongest connections are to their community.” – Regina Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media

“California is home to the largest concentration of multilingual news outlets serving immigrant and ethnic communities in the US. This breakthrough public private partnership to support local journalism brings welcome recognition of the ethnic media sector’s indispensable role in connecting these diverse communities to each other and to the wider public realm.” – Sandy Close, Director of Ethnic Media Services (EMS), a California-based nonprofit which works with 2000 ethnic news outlets nationwide, including over 300 in California

“It represents an equity-media model for the nation,” added Julian Do, EMS Co-Director

“Protecting and rebuilding California’s robust media ecosystem and ensuring it serves immigrants, Latinos and communities of color equally requires an important role for philanthropy, our tech and private sector, and yes, California’s State Government. We see this historic agreement as just the first major step where the State of California can lead the way in building a sustainable media ecosystem for the most diverse state in the Union,” – Arturo Carmona, President of the Latino Media Collaborative

“This is a win for all Californians. Disinformation flourishes when quality journalism disappears. This critical funding will help local publishers survive and keep their communities informed and engaged.” – Neil Chase, CEO of CalMatters and former editor of The Mercury News and East Bay Times

“The new public-private partnership provides a pioneering, ambitious program that will offer significant help to local newsrooms that give Californians the information they need to participate in a healthy democracy. It’s encouraging that lawmakers and tech platforms found a way to work together to forge an innovative solution that can be a model for other states.” – Lance Knobel, CEO of Cityside Journalism Initiative, the nonprofit behind Oaklandside, Berkeleyside and Richmondside

“The revival of a strong, independent community-minded local press is vital for California. All things considered, this agreement both injects new money into doing that and helps spur the innovation, tech and otherwise, required at this moment. As a companion to the California Local News Fellowship, it’s another brick in the rebuilding of California journalism.” – Ken Doctor, Newsonomics news analyst and Lookout Local founder and CEO

“Supporting local news and journalism is vital to enabling a fully informed and engaged community. We are very pleased to see California as a leader in building this public-private partnership that will substantially impact local journalism and essential news coverage in communities throughout California. This vital funding will support our local news and will enable an expansion of our initiative to add to the depth of our bilingual coverage and journalists in Napa Valley – where 40% of the population is Latinx.” – Marc Hand, CEO and Board Chair of Highway 29 Media, a publisher of newspapers serving communities in Napa Valley

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal medical assistance program Medicaid, has announced that it is expanding access to maternal health, including doula services.

The expansion is expected to have a critical impact on the health of Black mothers and expectant moms. Nearly half of Black Californians are enrolled in Medi-Cal.

Black mothers are approximately four times more likely to die than their White counterparts to die from pregnancy-related complications, according to The California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Black maternal mortality rate is three times higher than the rate of mothers of White Hispanic and Asian moms. And Black babies are two times as likely to die before their first birthday than White babies.

Erica Holmes, Chief of Benefits Divisions for the California Department of Health Care Services spoke during an online news briefing in June organized by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) to provide more details about Medi-Cal’s expansion into the doula space.

“The department has issued a standing recommendation for doula services. Medi-Cal members don’t have to get a separate written referral for services. All they need to do is find a doula who accepts medical to start receiving care. The department also has a doula directory where members can find doulas who accept medical by county.”

According to Medi-Cal, the doula services are available to expectant moms as a birthing care pathway for members who elect to use it from conception through 12 months. It is also available to new moms with services such as postpartum care, parent-child dyadic care, and other benefits.

Kairis Chiaji, a Medi-Cal approved doula services provider with 25 Years of experience, spoke during the online news briefing, informing attendees about the value of doulas and the services they provide.
“A lot of people don’t know what doulas do. I would liken it to a personal trainer, but for childbirth. Our job is to get to know you, what your goals are for your body and baby, to help you come up with a plan and remember your plan,” she said.

Doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional and informational support to patients before, during and after childbirth. In the past, their services were not covered by most medical insurance plans.

Now with Medi-Cal’s new expansion, they are.

Public health professionals in California largely agree that doulas are essential to closing racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes particularly for Black, American Indian, Latino, Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander parents and infants. They help improve birth outcomes and reduce the number of c-section births, epidurals, premature deliveries and prevent post-natal problems like low birth weight, anxiety, and labor length.

Chiaji spoke about the value a doula of color brings to the birthing process. The disparities in care and service women of color experience in medical care are well documented. Chiaji says her practice prioritizes Black and indigenous women.

“As people of color and community members, we also have shared experience with our clients. We have been those birthing people in the various environments,” she added. We have encountered the same language or culture barriers, we have had the same unanswered questions and understand the benefit of having someone who not only can explain it but really be a bridge between the community member and the birthing environment, especially in hospital settings.”

Due to the Medi-Cal expansion, doulas will now be reimbursed at the same rate as other service care providers, which Chiaji says is a game changer for individuals in the field.
“We were able to move our state into a position of understanding that a large part of healthcare is leveraging relationships. And the group who have the ability to found and maintain those relationships are birth workers.”

As of June, 455 group and individual doula applications had been approved in California with 336 of those being approved individual doulas.

“We know that our country and our state are in a maternal health crisis,” said Chiaji. “There are injuries and losses that statistics say 80% of which are preventable. As a birth worker and doula, we are able to fill in a lot of those gaps. We are able to amplify the voices of families, we are able to recognize with something is not ok earlier on. We’re able to help our clients navigate healthcare