The BIRTH Network

Culturally Competent Care & Support for Black Birthing Individuals

The Black Girls Mental Health Foundation (BGMHF) created the BIRTH Network to bridge the gap in maternal mental health care for Black birthing individuals. Through training, support programs, and community-based initiatives, we are transforming how Black families experience pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

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NEXT TRAINING CYCLE: Aug 22, 2025

COST: $450 per person

FORMAT: Virtual (In-Person Available for Large Groups)

FOR IN-PERSON GROUP TRAINING, contact: Erika Navarro (erika@blackgirlsmhc.org)

Key Programs AND Initiatives

What we offer

The BIRTH Network

Connecting Black birthing individuals with culturally competent providers and community-based support.

  • Mental health specialists trained in perinatal care

  • Culturally affirming birth workers (Doulas, Midwives, Lactation Consultants)

  • Support networks for parents navigating pregnancy and postpartum

  • Referrals to therapists, OB/GYNs, and birth professionals who understand Black maternal health needs

Group of four diverse healthcare professionals in scrubs and uniforms smiling at the camera leaning on a hospital bed railing with medical tools in their hands.

Training the next generation of Black perinatal mental health providers.

We are currently training three USC social work interns to serve as both mental health clinicians and doulas.

Training Includes:

  • Postpartum Support International’s (PSI) Three-Day Perinatal Mental Health Training

  • Doula Training (Starting Summer 2024)

  • Hands-on Clinical & Birth Support Training

By combining mental health and birth work, our interns are expanding the availability of Black perinatal providers who understand the unique experiences of Black birthing individuals.

Click Here to Apply

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Equipping Birth Workers, Medical Students, & Clinicians to Provide Trauma-Informed, Culturally Competent Care.

Our quarterly perinatal mental health training is designed for professionals who work with Black birthing individuals.

What You’ll Learn:

✔ Recognizing Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) in Black birthing individuals
✔ Addressing racial disparities in maternal mental health
 ✔ Trauma-informed therapy & birth support strategies
✔ Referral pathways for mental health, lactation, and birth services

Next Training Cycle: Aug 22, 2025
Cost: $400 per person
For Group Training, Contact: Erika Navarro (erika@blackgirlsmhc.org)

Register Here!

A woman holding a baby with the words "Commun Empower, empowering single mothers, building stronger futures" and "Bringing Baby Home, building love, one baby step at a time" overlaid on the image.

Support Groups & Workshops

Safe Spaces for Black Birthing Individuals to Connect, Heal, and Build Community.

We offer free virtual and in-person support groups designed to meet the unique emotional and mental health needs of Black birthing individuals.

Bringing Home Baby: A relationship-strengthening group for partnered parents navigating new parenthood.

CommunEmpower: A supportive space for unpartnered parents, helping them build strong networks and manage stress.

Want to Join a Group? Sign Up Today!

A pregnant woman sitting on an examination table in a medical office, talking to a healthcare professional.

Perinatal Support Specialists

Providing 12 Weeks of Free Support for Black Birthing Individuals

Our Perinatal Support Specialists help birthing individuals navigate mental health challenges, access resources, and receive essential postpartum care.

Support Includes:
 ✔ Mental health navigation – Connecting individuals to culturally competent therapists
 ✔ Resource assistance – Helping parents find lactation, birth, and postpartum support
 ✔ Essential supplies – Providing diapers, wipes, and postpartum necessities

Need Support? Contact Us!

How the BIRTH Network Works

Application
Matching
Need Assessment
Support Plan
Warm Handoff
Ongoing Care

Our Partners

We collaborate with organizations and individuals committed to improving perinatal mental health and wellness. Here are a few of our partners:

Dr. LeOndra
Dr.Kathryn
Dr.Mani
Dr.Anique
Dr.Aziza
Tiffany
Jabina
Kristina
Logo for First 5 Alameda County featuring a white handprint on blue background with text 'First 5' above and 'Alameda County' below.
Logo with purple text reading 'Therapy for Black Girls' with 'for' written in cursive.
Book cover titled 'Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work' with a red background, 'USC' in large gold letters at the top.
Dixon
Shields
CBWHP
BGBC
Logo for Baywell Health featuring stylized silhouettes of women and children with trees and acorns, with the text 'Baywell Health' below.
Text reading 'Black Female Therapists' on a light pink background with rounded corners.
Purple circular logo for Midnight Milk Club featuring a yellow crescent moon with a cloud, black and gold text, and a mention of providing late night support for pregnant, lactating, and postpartum BIPOC mothers.
Logo for Contra Costa Health featuring stylized blue and orange flower-like design.
Black Infant Health logo with a heart in red, green, black, and yellow, with text 'Black Infant Health' and the slogan 'Empowering Pregnant and Mothering African-American Women'.
FIERCE Advocates logo with the words "Families and Individuals Equitably Rooted in Collective Empowerment" beneath it.
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Logo for First 5 Contra Costa, featuring a green handprint and bold blue and red text.
Psychology Today logo in blue text on a white background.
Text reading 'PEI Committee' on a white background.
Logo for Callec LLC, featuring three overlapping circles in pink and purple, with the company name and the tagline 'Research Marketing & Design' in black text.
LEADABC
UCLAFielding
Logo of the Public Health Department of Alameda County featuring a red stylized shape and blue and gray text.
Logo for Qualify Child Care with a red stylized figure of an adult holding a child, surrounded by a blue ring with white text reading 'Providers for Qualify Child Care'.
Illustration of a pregnant Black woman with curly hair, wearing a maroon dress, holding her belly with both hands, standing next to a stylized crescent moon and gold leaves, accompanied by the text 'Black Women Birthing Justice'.
Kim
Nicole
CultureCare
BFT
AtlantaDoula
OperationMIST
CBWW
Dr.Shanita
Roots
UCIHealth
SistersInLoss
NBDA
A woman sitting on a chair holding a baby with two young children, one on her lap and one leaning in to kiss her, in a bright room with large window and outside view.

COntact us

For more information or to apply for services, please reach out to us:

Email: admin@blackgirlsmhc.org

Phone: 949-484-8535