In this episode, our guests discuss the role of doulas in maternal and family health, sharing personal experiences and insights into the challenges faced by young parents, particularly those from at-risk communities. Additionally, our host Esme and guests Tamar Sebesta and Amy Chen explore the importance of doula services, including the Medi-Cal doula benefit, the barriers to accessing these services, and the need for better education and resources within the healthcare system. Tamar Sebesta, a guest on this episode became a teen mom at 15. She had no idea what to expect when she enrolled in college as the first in her family to pursue a degree. All she knew was that she needed to change the trajectory of her life. Often feeling isolated and misunderstood by the challenges she faced, she found solace in storytelling. Tamar is passionate about advocacy, she is a public speaker, writer, and podcaster. She uses her voice to uplift others, helping them realize that they too can pursue their dreams. Our next guest speaker Amy Chen is a Senior Attorney at the National Health Law Program (NHelp), where she works on sexual and reproductive rights. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy in healthcare and the importance of community support among parents.

Please note: In this episode, the speakers may reference laws and legal information. This does not constitute legal advice.

Chapters:

• Introduction to Doulas and Personal Stories

• Understanding Doula Services and Their Importance

• Cultural Perspectives and Historical Context of Doulas

• Challenges in Maternal Health and the Role of Doulas

• Navigating the Healthcare System as a Young Parent

• Accessing Doula Services and Overcoming Barriers

• The Impact of Doulas on Maternal Health

• Building Trust in Healthcare: The Role of Doulas

• Breaking Taboos: Honest Conversations About Parenting

Resources:

• NHeLP's Doula Medicaid Project: https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/

• Dept of Health Care Services Doula Services page: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/Doula-Services.aspx

• • Dept of Health Care Services Doula Directory (partway down the page): https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/Doula-Services-Members.aspx
  • Medi-Cal Birthworker Resource Hub: https://medi-calbirthworker.com/
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This conversation explores the multifaceted nature of advocacy, and how parents and caregivers can get involved. This episode features three amazing guest speakers. Sonja Tonnesen-Casalegno, Esq. is a social justice attorney, innovator, child of activists, and parent to two amazing children. Klarissa Reynoso is the Senior Program and Policy Manager for the Youth Justice Team at the National Center for Youth Law. Lastly, Deyci Carrillo López is a proud product of Guanajuato, México and East Oakland, California; she is an author, abolitionist and poet.

Our guests discuss their personal journeys, the structure of the federal government, and the importance of community engagement in driving policy. They share their experiences and insights on how individuals can influence policy and create meaningful change, emphasizing the power of collective action and the role of mentorship in advocacy work. They also discuss the importance of community in healing, the undervaluation of caregiving, navigating fear in advocacy, and the significance of teaching children about social justice and political engagement. The speakers share actionable steps towards engagement in federal advocacy.

Please note: In this episode, the speakers may reference laws and legal information. This does not constitute legal advice.

Chapters:

• Understanding Federal Government Structure

• The Role of Federal Advocacy

• Personal Journeys into Advocacy

• Artivism: Merging Art and Advocacy

• Encouraging Community Engagement in Advocacy

• Tools for Effective Advocacy

• The Power of Community in Healing

• Engaging Children in Advocacy

• The Power of Youth Voices

• The Impact of Parental Advocacy

• Navigating Fear in Advocacy

• Taking Action: First Steps to Engagement

Resources:

• Find your elected officials

  https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

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  Sign up for newsletter with A Flourishing Start https://flourishingstart.squarespace.com/

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  YouTube video about how a bill becomes a law, how it must go through Congress, and how it can be vetoed, etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ8psP4S6BQ

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  How is the US Federal Government structured? https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbc3wsg#z6qpkhv

In this episode of A Flourishing Start podcast, the host and guests discuss the critical need for more resources, and support with resource navigation, for families with young children in California. Esmeralda is joined by Quijay and three parents of young children: Kat, Jryana, and Axel. Together, they dive into the challenges of parenting, especially for those whose own experiences growing up were impacted by the foster care system. The conversation highlights the importance of creating accessible information and guidance to help parents find the support they need. As part of a collaborative effort between the National Center for Youth Law and California Youth Connection, these parents created brochures for expecting and parenting individuals across seven regions in California.

Throughout the episode, Kat, Jryana, and Axel discuss the motivation behind their project, call attention to the need for mental health resources, highlight systemic barriers that hinder access to needed services, and demonstrate their support for one another, and for parents navigating similar challenges. The conversation culminates in powerful messages of hope and encouragement for current and future parents.

Highlights:

Personal Experiences of Parenting and Resource Needs

The Importance of Access to Information

The Role of Mental Health in Parenting

Navigating systems as a parent

Types of Resources Included in Brochures

Motivation Behind the Project

The Importance of Community Support

Personal Stories of Resilience

Navigating Fatherhood

Highlighting Supportive Programs for Parents

Messages of Resilience and Persistence

The Importance of Self-Care for Parents

Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Resources:

https://calyouthconn.org/

https://youthlaw.org/

https://flourishingstart.squarespace.com/