How Two Oakland Organizations Are Redesigning Support for Families

Kym Johnson, CEO of Bananas, and Jamaica Sowell, Director of Programs at Roots Community Health, join host Mesellech Abebe on Speaking of Kids to discuss their Oakland partnership supporting families from pregnancy through the early years. Instead of asking parents to navigate child care, health care, and community support as separate systems, they're building a model where the systems connect themselves. The conversation covers trust-based home visiting, addressing Black maternal and infant health disparities, meeting families without shame, and why community-based organizations should see themselves as anchor institutions worth sustainable, structural funding. To learn more about Bananas and their services, go to bananasbunch.org. Follow them on social media @BananasBunch on Instagram, Facebook, and X. To learn more about Roots Community Health and their services, go to rootscommunityhealth.org. Follow them on social media on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. To join the conversation, follow First Focus on Children on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Send us comments on thoughts via email: [email protected] Find us on Twitter/X: @SpeakingOfKids and @First_Focus Want to be a voice for kids? Become an Ambassador for Children here.  To support our work and this podcast, please consider donating to First Focus on Children here.