East Bay Perinatal Council

Description

The East Bay Perinatal Council developed from efforts initiated close to twenty years ago to address shockingly high rates of infant mortality in low-income neighborhoods of Oakland; in 1979 the Oakland Perinatal Health Project began providing education, outreach, and direct comprehensive care services. In October 1984, the East Bay Perinatal Council incorporated as a private, nonprofit agency, built, in large measure, from earlier coordinated efforts at the local level funded by the California Department of Health Services (DHS). The organization has been operating continuously under this same name for the past fifteen years, with its programmatic roots in the East Bay going back twenty years. In 1985, the Council was awarded the Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP) contract with the Maternal and Child Health Branch of DHS to develop and implement a comprehensive continuous case management program for pregnant teens and teen parents. In recognition of the unique qualifications of EBPC, the organization was chosen by a vote of providers and individuals in the East Bay as the agency to represent our region. EBPC's AFLP program was deemed by the state to be a model program, and the State has looked to the Council for expertise, training and collaboration regarding services for teens, chemically dependent women, and young children. The Council has grown from a staff of six people and one office in Oakland, to 74 staff operating out of three branch offices (Oakland, Richmond and Pittsburg) and two satellite offices (Hayward and Berkeley). EBPC's capabilities and organizational scope continue to grow, as evidenced by the Council's program and operating budget increases, from less than $75,000 in 1984 to approximately $3.5 million in 2000.