In 1990, when Great Beginnings for Black Babies was established, its first task was to change the personal health habits of women of child bearing age to ensure that they had a positive birth outcome. That change was brought about through education, and an extensive community outreach and mass media campaign. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors.

The success of these strategies has heralded a change in the perception of the problems of infant mortality and long-held health habits that affect the quality of birth for many women. Great Beginnings for Black Babies continues to promote a healthy lifestyle by referring women to facilities and organizations that will help them receive early and continuous prenatal care which is so vital to the birth of a healthy baby.

In the densely populated, economically distressed areas of Los Angeles County, Great Beginnings has been making a concerted effort to eradicate African American infant mortalities since 1990. One of the most rewarding experiences in the life of parents is the birth of a baby, then watching that baby grow and develop into a healthy child and responsible adult. Unfortunately, many families experience the tragedy of losing a child before its first birthday.

This mission is carried out through the implementation of innovative and creative intervention focusing on the root causes of poor birth outcomes and child development. Programs and projects include: Health Education (prenatal and well child care, social support and empowerment classes, values education classes); pregnant teens values and self esteem classes; nutrition education focusing on iron deficiency anemia; breast feeding and Lamaze classes; Outreach to identify pregnant women and teens, conducting assessments, identifying problems and root causes that lead to poor reproductive outcomes; Tracking and Care Coordination; Case Management for at-risk pregnant and parenting clients; Mentorship Program and After School Sports Programs. The outcome logic model is the framework that guides our efforts.

Building the next generation of healthy African American is the vision of Great Beginnings. The first intervention strategy GBBB implemented was a social marketing campaign designed to reduce risk factors that lead to poor birth outcomes. Findings indicate that the problem is multi-faceted including medical, social, environmental, and economic causes. Great Beginnings has been on the cutting edge of social marketing and culturally appropriate service delivery through seven successful community media campaigns consisting of billboards, brochures, posters, bus kiosk ads, radio and television public service announcements, and numerous newspaper ads and articles.

We serve the hardest hit communities of South Central Los Angels, Culver City, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena and Lawndale. Community partners include: Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Mu Chi Chapter and volunteers from the community.

For the past decade, Great Beginnings has successfully reduced the mortality rate for African-American babies in Los Angeles County, with an emphasis on South Los Angeles, earning recognition as one of the first non-profit agencies to address this public health issue. Accordingly, GBBB was awarded a contract by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services to spearhead a local component of California�s Black Infant Health Program.

Program goals:
� Eradicate African American infant mortality
� Empower women of color with knowledge
� Community involvement toward problem resolution
� Assure family is meeting child�s basic needs
� Educate families and children about consequences
� Creating awareness through media and public relations,
   community and special events

Core services:
� Street Outreach
� Health education
� Comprehensive assessments, evaluations and referrals
  for appropriate health care
� Case management and care coordination
� Homeless Outreach
� Car Seat Safety Classes
� Mentoring
� Social support and empowerment classes