Tackling racial and systemic disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, toxic stress, and ensuring every mother has access to respectful, quality care.

• The steps an Ohio county worked to address the root causes of the racial gap in maternal and infant mortality.
  
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• National Maternal and Mental Health Hotline.
  Pregnant or just had a baby and need support? Reach out to the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline to speak with a trained counselor. It is free and confidential.
  
  Contact Hotline

• Why Do Black Women Face Higher Childbirth Risks?
  Read this article about why the racial maternal and infant mortality gap exists and how the medical community can address disparities.
  
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• Black Maternal Mortality Is Still Rising. What Can Be Done?
  Read this article about how a lack of comprehensive reproductive health care has harmed the maternal health of Black women and birthing people.
  
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Uplifting the strength of pregnant survivors and advocating for safety, support, and trauma-informed care during one of life’s most vulnerable times.

• Local Association Staff:
  Iman Woodyard Legal Advocacy Director YWCA York talks about the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy
  
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• Homicide found to be top cause of maternal death.
  Read recent Axios article explaining that homicide is now the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women in the U.S., mostly involving violence from partners. Experts say laws that make it harder to leave abusive relationships may be putting more women at risk.
  
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• National Domestic Violence Hotline.
  If you are experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence, The National Domestic Violence Hotline's highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.
  
  Contact Hotline

Highlights how access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is essential for mothers and families to thrive. Explores how domestic violence, eviction, and systemic inequities disrupt the ability to parent in peace—and calls for housing justice as a cornerstone of family well-being.

• YWCA Spokane team member Teresa Dixon.
  She shares her own experience of domestic violence and the importance that access to housing had on her ability to provide a safe and thriving environment for her family.
  
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• HUD Exchange: Need Housing Assistance?
  If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, please visit HUD's website to be connected with resources near you.
  
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• VAWA Housing Protections.
  Visit Women's Law to learn more about protections for renters experiencing domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act.
  
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Discussing the barriers that mothers face to leaving domestic violence situations.  

Include financial abuse as a barrier to mother’s leaving domestic violence situations, this will help tie in our partners at Allstate.

• Local Association Participant Sarah Baun.
  A program participant at YWCA Syracuse, shares her story and talks about the barriers mothers face to leaving violent relationships.
  
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• Moving Ahead Workbook.
  The Allstate Foundation's Moving Ahead Workbook is and educational resource that provides information and crucial skills to enable survivors to reach financial security and position themselves for safety.
  
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• "Why People Stay It's not as easy as simply walking away."
  Read this article from the National Domestic Violence Hotline on the wide variety of different barriers survivors face to leaving abusive relationships.
  
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• Immigrant victims of domestic violence scared to seek help amid ICE deportation threat.
  Read this article about how some abusers use immigration status as a tool to control their victims.
  
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Focusing on the critical role of legal systems in protecting mothers and their children from domestic violence. While laws exist to safeguard survivors, many mothers—especially those who are Black, Brown, immigrant, low-income, or disabled—face overwhelming barriers when seeking justice. From navigating custody battles to securing restraining orders, the legal system can be both a lifeline and a labyrinth.

• Local Association Staff: Iman Woodyard Legal Advocacy Director YWCA York.
  Iman Woodyard talks about her work supporting survivors in navigating the legal system and advocating for trauma informed practices.
  
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• Women's Law email hotline.
  Use the Women's Law email hotline to get U.S.-based legal information related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. All emails are answered or reviewed by an attorney. However, they cannot provide legal advice or representation.
  
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• Here’s How Domestic Violence Survivors Are Criminalized.
  Watch this video about how the legal system criminalizes survivors of domestic abuse.
  
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• Safety Planning in Court.
  This resource from Women's Law shares advice for survivors on creating a safety plan for when survivor has to see their abuser in court.
  
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