Kappa Alpha Psi to Host Drive Thru for Donations to City’s Black Infant Health Program

The Pasadena alumni chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity will hold a drive-thru to accept donations in support of Black Infant Health families.

for the city’s Black Infant Health (BIH) Program from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the Public Health Department, 1845 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.

The group is accepting diapers, baby wipes, baby bottles, baby wash sets, bibs, diaper bags, baby formula and anything for newborns.

Originally a pilot project in four sites, the BIH Program has expanded its reach to 17 local health jurisdictions where over 90 percent of all African-American births occur in California.The focus of the original BIH Program, established in 1989, was getting participants into prenatal care.

In that year, the state began to focus on the challenge of improving the health of African American women, infants, and children by promoting health care during the prenatal and postpartum periods and providing services in a supportive and culturally-competent manner.

Experts believe that social, economic and racial stresses play a part in poor birth outcomes — babies born too early and too small — for African-American women.

“Within a culturally affirming environment and honoring the unique history of African-American women, Black Infant Health aims to help women have healthy babies. Participants learn proven strategies to reduce stress and develop life skills. This is accomplished through a group-based approach with complimentary case management,” according to the city’s website.

The group experience builds social support, which helps buffer the negative effects of stress and empowers participants to make positive choices in their life. Weekly group sessions help women access their own strengths and set health-promoting goals for themselves and their babies. Ultimately, this approach will impact not only themselves, but future generations of African-American women, infants and families.