On April 27, LASD announced the first child born under a newly created program that gives incarnated expectant mothers a childcare companion and extended mother-baby bonding time. On August 2, the program saw another success when baby “Arickah” was born at 1:49 P.M. to 37 year-old Atoya Smith.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Custody Services Division, Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) has teamed up with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) “Mama’s Neighborhood” a strengths and relationship based perinatal health and wellness program for the visiting labor and Postpartum Visitation Pilot Program.
This innovative pilot program provides childbirth companions and extended mommy-baby bonding moments and targets underserved, disenfranchised pregnant and parenting women at CRDF. Undoubtedly, LASD is forward thinking for collaborating on this program and supporting incarcerated women to minimize the physical and emotional distress of labor and delivery.
The program allows a vetted childcare companion to visit with the expectant mother before the birth of the child and allows the mother bonding time after the birth of the child. There is a selection process for women to be accepted to this program which in not made available to all incarcerated expectant mothers.
LASD reports that the newborn will be taken care of by family members while she completes the remainder of her custody. LASD is proud to part of this program and continue to improve our custody programs to provide the mother and child a better chance for a healthy future.
