Black Infant Health

Program History:

First Missionary Baptist Church of Littlerock, California is the lead collaboratory for the Antelope Valley Black Infant Health Program (AVBIH). The Church was established in 1950 to serve the Littlerock/Sun Village community and is the oldest African American Church in the Antelope Valley. Today, First Missionary Baptist Church, with more than 2,700 members throughout the high desert region, has the largest African American congregation in the Antelope Valley.

View our Program's Brochure:

Our Mission:

The mission of the Black Infant Health program (BIH) is to eliminate disproportionate infant mortality and low birth weight, and improve related health outcomes among African American communities in Antelope Valley. BIH has responded to this challenging mission since 2002 through its community-based prenatal access, innovative and culturally competent outreach and education and high-impact public awareness campaigns followed by the provision of pre- and post- natal services and care coordination. There is a strong emphasis on prevention of subsequent unplanned pregnancies through family planning education and counseling.

 

The AVBIH program is unique in Los Angeles County in that it is the only faith-based program that is working in partnership with community churches currently serving the target population. AVBIH currently has staff members who bring extensive experience in providing culturally sensitive care to African American women.


C. McKinley Kemp is the Program Director for AVBIH. He has lived and worked in the target community for over 45 years. He brings to the project not only a significant understanding of the cultural issues and barriers, but years of experience working on both a paid and volunteer basis on health and social service issues in the African American community. Mr. Kemp is also a member of First Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Kemp has been an inspiration and role model in the African American community in the Antelope Valley. He brings passion and expertise in working with the target community.

Our Services: Outreach and Education:

The educational campaign of the Black Infant Health Program works to disseminate relevant, culturally competent information in African-American communities through multiple ventures. Substantial gains in infant health can be made by distributing practical knowledge about:

  • Immunization
  • The danger of alcohol and substance abuse
  • Household hazards (identification and prevention)
  • Child development and basic parenting skills

In coordination with local groups – church congregations primarily –classes, one-time informational meetings, and community events, like the Health Fair and annual Celebrate Healthy Babies festival are offered. In collaboration with other community groups, parents are alerted to more general health risks, such as:

  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Alcohol and drug abuse
  • Obesity

Services:

BIH provides perinatal services and continuous care coordination for the infants of at-risk mothers through age one. Women and their babies enrolled in the program receive thorough follow-up attention, including:

  • Immunizations
  • Postpartum treatment
  • Well-baby care
  • Family Planning

Black Infant Health also works with local health care and social service providers, sharing educational materials and training about the specific needs of the African-American community. The Black Infant Health program has worked toward alleviation of the ongoing dilemma through culturally aware outreach and comprehensive services.

For more information about AV Black Infant Health program, please contact C. McKinley Kemp at 661.945.0650 ext. 301 or