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Thank you for attending, sponsoring, and supporting Virginia Women and Family Support Center through our Maternal Health Workshop.
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SPONSORED BY
2025 MATERNAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
Reflecting on the success of our inaugural Maternal Health Workshop held this past weekend, we can't help but be overflowing with gratitude for everyone who contributed to this transformative event.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible speakers for sharing their expertise and experiences with us: Frances Robin, Dr. Christina Marea, Jill Norcross,, Delegate Michelle Lopes Maldonado, Ruth Alleyne, LMFT, Dr. Chrisenia White, ND, DC, L.Ac, LDN, Dr. Laura Arrington, Claire Labrie, Angelita Wright, Leslie Greene, Pastor Stevie Burke, Martina Jackson Green, MA, APR, Ashleigh Webb, Nikki Wilkens, our wonderful keynote speaker - Dr. Roberta Waite, EdD, PMHCNS, ANEF, FADLN, FAAN, Dr. Beverley Boothe, PhD, Valerie Rochester, Delegate Josh Thomas, Shannon Taylor, and Teresa Jenkins. Your insights and expertise enriched our discussions around housing and maternal health, and most importantly - empowered our community.
We extend our sincere appreciation to NOVEC HELPS for sponsoring this event. Your support was instrumental in making the Maternal Health Workshop possible.
A special thank you to our food sponsors: Brooklyn Brothers Pizza Gainesville, Moe's Southwest Grill Gainesville, Great Harvest Bread Co. Warrenton, BJs Brewhouse Gainesville, Potbelly Sandwich Works Manassas, Chick-fil-A (Haymarket), and BJ's Wholesale Club Gainesville.
To those who couldn't attend, your support and kind words were appreciated.
Get involved with Virginia Women and Family Support Center! We invite you to continue helping us help women and families through maternal health and housing. Whether by volunteering, donating, or simply learning more, your support helps us provide safe housing, support services, and a path forward for pregnant women and children experiencing homelessness.
Visit vawfsc.org or call us at 571-261-2838 to get involved. Together, we can build a community where every mother has the foundation to thrive.
Let's continue this momentum and work together to support women and families for improved maternal health outcomes.
Our Keynote Speaker
Dr. Roberta Waite, EdD, RN, PMHCNS, ANEF, FADLN, FAAN
Roberta Waite, EdD, RN, PMHCNS, ANEF, FADLN, FAAN is a nationally recognized nursing thought leader whose expertise is at the nexus of health equity, social justice, anti-Black racism, mental health, and community-centered work. As the inaugural Dean of the relaunched School of Nursing at Georgetown University, she works with internal and external stakeholders to establish a world class academic destination for advancing excellence in nursing education, research, scholarship, and transformative engagement with communities. She is responsible for academic and operational leadership of the school, which is composed of prelicensure, master’s and doctoral nursing programs.
Waite’s expertise is amplified in her roles as Board Director for Family Process Institute, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Georgetown MedStar Hospital, and Advancing Health Equity’s National Advisory Board supported by the RWJF. As an inaugural Macy Faculty Scholar, her educational research focused on leadership development of nursing and health professions students using a social justice lens.
Frances Robin
Executive Director, Virginia Women and Family Support Center
MATERNAL HEALTH WORKSHOP GUEST SPEAKERS
KEY SESSIONS
The Housing-Maternal Health Connection
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The impact of housing stability on maternal stress, pregnancy & infant health outcomes
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How evictions, overcrowding, and unsafe housing affect pregnancy
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How homelessness and housing insecurity increase maternal and infant mortality
Research highlights: The links between housing access and preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality. Affordable housing and birth outcomes
Policy, Medicaid & Healthcare Systems
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Medicaid coverage expansion for pregnant women and housing supports
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Federal & state policies that impact maternal housing and healthcare access
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Local solutions & funding opportunities for housing-insecure pregnant women
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Medicaid & maternal health: Coverage gaps, expansion efforts & opportunities
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The intersection of housing assistance programs & maternal care
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Funding opportunities: Grants, public assistance, and nonprofit programs
Trauma, Mental Health & Housing Insecurity
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The psychological effects of housing instability on pregnant women
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Screening & interventions for mental and maternal health risks in housing-insecure mothers
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How housing insecurity affects perinatal mental health & postpartum depression
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The role of trauma-informed care in supporting homeless pregnant women
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Solutions: Supportive housing models, counseling services & community partnerships
Pregnancy, Nutrition, and Postpartum
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Programs & partnerships
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Exercise during pregnancy
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Postpartum Physical
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Newborn care
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Bathing, Feeding, Schedules and Routines
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Best practices from nonprofit, healthcare, and government sectors
Pregnancy Grief and Loss
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First Time Pregnancy and Mental Health
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Managing Physical Recovery
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Grief and Loss
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Recognizing and addressing Postpartum depression and anxiety
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Best practices Creating Plans to address Mental health, Postpartum, Grief and Loss
Mental and Emotional Well-being
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Managing Stress and Anxiety
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Techniques for relaxation and mindfulness
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Recognizing and addressing prenatal depression
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Building a Support Network
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Importance of social support
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Connecting with local resources
WHEN
APRIL 19, 2025
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
WHERE
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
PRINCE WILLIAM CAMPUS
10900 University Boulevard
Manassas, VA 20110
CONTACT
571-261-2838
ADDRESS
14019A Glenkirk Rd.
Gainesville, VA 20155
ABOUT VAWFSC
Virginia Women and Family Support Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to housing and supporting women and families experiencing homelessness.
