About Us
Who do we serve?
EmbraceHer is a virtual perinatal group intervention program model targeting pregnant and parenting reproductive-age African American women living in Alameda County. EmbraceHer is integrated within the Maternal, Paternal, Child & Adolescent Health Unit’s Starting Out Strong Family Support Services, a perinatal case management home visitation model.
Why virtual groups?
Initially slated to offer in-person group sessions and care coordination, the EmbraceHer team quickly pivoted to develop virtual groups in the nation’s first region to issue COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders in March 2020. Beginning this year, three group series will be offered online through a private ‘Facebook-like’ social media platform that fosters community-building, continuity of care, and long-term continuous client engagement and participation.
Polish your what?!
EmbraceHer’s first group series, Polish Your Crown, Sis!, kicked off its first virtual group session in July 2020, and are offered twice weekly all year. The session format uses psychoeducational approaches to promote Black women's well-being through lively discussion and learning about topics of interest to participants including health and mental wellness, Black culture, current events, sisterhood, parenting and family life.
We have launched!
In collaboration with Alameda Health System medical providers, nurse midwives, lactation consultant, family support workers, and doulas, virtual BElovedBIRTH Black CenteringPregnancy® prenatal care groups were launched in early Fall 2020 and continue in 2021. Click on Downloads to view and download more information about BElovedBIRTH Black Centering prenatal care group programming.