503-988-3387

Healthy Birth Initiatives addresses the needs of pregnant Black and African American women.

It does this by opening up access to health care and providing ongoing support to pregnant Black and African American women and their families before and after birth.

Our classes, Community Action Network meetings and Father Involvement activities are open to everyone. Email healthy.birth@multco.us for more information.

Services

Our services are Afrocentric and include:

  • Individualized, in-home case management
  • Access to community health nurses and other specialists
  • Help with goal planning
  • Respite care
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Discount car seats
  • Family planning
  • Transportation for medical care and health education classes
  • Coordination of care with health care providers and community agencies
  • Ongoing classes and groups

We also serve African immigrant and refugee families through our partnership with African Family Holistic Health Organization (AFHHO).

What are the benefits?

Blacks and African Americans experience rates of infant mortality and low birth weight at levels that unjustly and disproportionately affect their communities. Healthy Birth Initiatives works to achieve healthy birth outcomes by improving the well-being of mothers, fathers and their children before, during and between pregnancies.

Who can receive services?

You may be able to receive services if you:

  • Are pregnant
  • Are Black or African American
  • Live in Multnomah County

How do I apply?

Call 503-988-3387 to apply or refer a client, or fill out our referral form»

You can also call us to get a schedule of classes and events.


Monthly Parent Meet Up

1st Wednesday of every month, 11:30am-12:30pm
Register for Zoom meeting»

Parent Meet Up Flyer (612.36 KB)


Childbirth Classes

Mondays, 6-7pm (No meetings on holidays or the 5th Monday)

Join Zoom meeting»
Meeting ID: 952 7915 3708 | Passcode: u+3kN%V?

You are invited to attend and learn:

  • Process of labor and birth
  • Hospital routines and options
  • Breathing and relaxation techniques
  • Medication for labor, cesarean birth
  • Recovery process
  • Breastfeeding, newborn characteristics

Call 503-988-3387 for more info.

Childbirth Classes (108.65 KB)

Pregnancy & Newborn Education Classes

Tuesdays, 3-4pm
(No meetings on holidays or the 5th Tuesday) 

Join Zoom meeting»
Meeting ID: 931 0756 4229 | Passcode: Rst&C1!z

Free and open to anyone who wishes to attend. We cover a different topic each week so you can start anytime during your pregnancy, or just come to the topic that interests you the most.

Classes are taught with an Black and African American cultural focus and conducted in English. No registration necessary. 

  • Week 1: How to have a healthy pregnancy, nutrition
  • Week 2: Breastfeeding
  • Week 3: Pregnancy complications
  • Week 4: Newborn care, sexual health

Prenatal Class Flyer (359.73 KB)

HBI Dads

Parent education classes and father friendly activities. No meetings on holidays. ‬Call 503-988-3387 for more information.

Let That Dad Speak! | 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6-7:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 997 2912 4610 | Passcode: ^#c*=KK5
How mothers and fathers overcome barriers and challenges to health communication as co-parents and partners.

Let that Dad Speak! (460.52 KB)
 

Dad Talk | 3rd Thursday of every month, 6-7pm
Join Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 927 0201 9835 | Passcode: Fi@=b@J7
A place where fathers come together to fellowship, discuss the challenges of fatherhood, and help dads find ways to be effective parents and partners.

Dad Talk Flyer (313.43 KB)


HBI Father Involvement Program Flyer (4.16 MB)


Community Action Network

3rd Wednesday of every month, 6-7:30pm

Join Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 921 6599 8254 | Passcode: hbiCAN22!

CAN works to identify and address the major barriers to healthy birth outcomes for African American/Black families. Healthy Birth Initiatives' parents and community partners lead the group and make up the membership.

Meetings are open to the public. No meeting in December. For more information call 503-307-4134.

Reading List

Recommended reads for black families»


Contact Us

Healthy Birth Initiatives
5329 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, Oregon 97211
503-988-3387
healthy.birth@multco.us

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5pm