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Council highlights maternal-health initiatives; resident offers housing proposal for postpartum mothers
Summary
At a District 7 listening session Council Chair Crystal Oriada described a $200,000 allocation for Black maternal health and launched a 'Mother's First' home-visiting pilot; a resident urged the council to fund housing and wraparound services for postpartum women and newborns.
A mix of residents and council members used the District 7 listening forum to press the county on maternal-health services and housing for postpartum women.
Latanya Hill Higgins told the council she works in labor and delivery and pleaded for housing and integrated services for young mothers who have no place to go. "I would like to house those young ladies," she said, describing plans to provide prenatal, postpartum and mental-health services and asking the council to partner on referrals and facilities.
Council Chair Crystal Oriada described legislation the council passed last year — the Black Maternal Health Act — and said the county has secured $200,000 toward local maternal-health work. Oriada also described a new Mother's First initiative intended to provide in-home support to 1,000 District 7 mothers, including assistance with basic household tasks and virtual check-ins.
Councilmembers and staff responded with immediate offers to connect the resident with Family Connects, the Department of Social Services and the health department, and to take the building information for follow-up. Councilmember Jolene Ivy highlighted an existing Family Connects home-visit program for new mothers and a universal-design housing bill that will require accessibility features starting July 1.
Next steps: Council staff said they will gather the resident's property information and connect her with relevant agencies. Chair Oriada said the listening-session report will synthesize maternal-health comments and be used to inform the FY2027 budget and program design.
