Kansas Birth Equity Network

08/24/2026

✨ KBEN members are shining at this year's MPCH Summit. ✨

The Heartland Health Conference has something for everyone. This year's Maternal, Paternal, & Child Health Summit will be home to 15 sessions at the conference.

Join us in attending sessions highlighting the AMAZING work KBEN members are doing in the KC Metro and beyond!

🗓️ September 10-11, 2026
📍 Sporting Park, Kansas City, KS

Learn more, see the full agenda, and register today: https://www.kcheartlandconference.com/

08/24/2026

🧸🤎 SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY! 🤎🧸

🐻 Something BEARY special is coming! 🐻

Mark your calendars because Mom & Baby Fest 2026 is on the way, and we can't wait to welcome you for a day filled with smiles, support, and unforgettable family moments!

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
📍 Linwood YMCA

Whether you're an expecting parent or raising little ones ages 0–4, this is an event you won't want to miss!

✨ Get ready for:
🧸 Community resources
🎁 Giveaways
👶 Baby & toddler activities
📚 Family enrichment opportunities
💙 Health & wellness resources
🎉 Interactive fun for the whole family
…and plenty of bear hugs, happy memories, and surprises!

This year's adorable bear-themed celebration is all about wrapping families in the love, support, and connections they deserve, because every child deserves a strong start, and every parent deserves a community that cares.

🐻 Save the date today and invite a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend! The bigger our village, the stronger our families.

💙 More exciting announcements, sponsors, activities, and giveaways will be revealed soon, so stay tuned!

08/24/2026

Don't forget to register for the 5th annual Heartland Health Conference's Maternal, Paternal, & Child Health (MPCH) Summit!

🗓️ September 9-11, 2026
📍 Sporting Park, Kansas City, KS
✅ Pre-conference sessions are FREE to attend
Learn more and register today: tinyurl.com/MPCHtrack26

08/24/2026

Love This!

08/24/2026

Join us THIS Saturday at Chocolate Milk and Cookies!

This is a FREE community event celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week in partnership with Fathers Assisting Mothers.
📍 Kansas City, MO
🗓️ August 29
🕚 11:00 AM CDT
Scan the QR code to register!

Join us for a FREE community event celebrating Black Breastfeeding Week in partnership with Fathers Assisting Mothers.

📍 Kansas City, MO
🗓️ August 29
🕚 11:00 AM CDT

Scan the QR code to register!

08/20/2026

You don't need all the answers to join us. 💜

In honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, we're hosting Nourish & Connect, a lactation support group on August 28. Whether you're expecting, newly postpartum, exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, or nursing a toddler, this space is for you.

Join us for honest conversations, practical support, and connection with other families who understand the realities of the breastfeeding journey. Babies of all ages are welcome.

📅 August 28 | 11 AM to 1 PM
📍 Uzazi Village, 4232 Troost Ave.
🔗 Register today: https://events.givehub.com/events/110

08/18/2026

KBEN members, we need your help! Voting for our fifth annual Baby Photo Contest is now open - Please review the submissions and select the contestant you would like to vote for!

Please note that voting is open to KBEN members only and please only vote once.

Voting closes on Friday, August 28, 2026. You can scan the QR code or click the link here to cast your vote now: https://tinyurl.com/26BPCVoting

Winners will be announced at the Birth Equity Summit!

08/17/2026

🎨 Calling all doulas, birth workers, alumni, mentors, and aspiring professionals!

Join us for the Doula Alumni & Mentorship Paint & Sip Educational Event on Sunday, August 30, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Painting with a Twist in Overland Park, KS.

This FREE event is designed to bring together our vibrant birth worker community for an afternoon of creativity, networking, mentorship, and professional growth. Whether you're looking for guidance, hoping to share your expertise, or simply reconnect with colleagues, you'll find meaningful opportunities to connect and grow.

Enjoy a guided painting experience, refreshments, educational discussion, and the chance to build relationships that can support your journey in birth work.

📍 Painting with a Twist
8817 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 66212

✅ Free to Attend; Registration Required
✅ Mentorship Networking
✅ Educational Presentation
✅ Guided Paint & Sip Experience

Register today: https://events.givehub.com/events/108

08/12/2026

GET EXCITED: WE HAVE FULL DOULA TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE ACROSS KANSAS!

Have you ever felt called to support families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? Catalyst Doula Training can help you turn that calling into a skilled, paid profession—without putting the rest of your life on hold.

Our hybrid program was created specifically for adult learners balancing work, family, caregiving, and everything else life requires.

Here’s how it works:

✅ Complete 60 hours of self-paced online learning within eight weeks
✅ Attend two hands-on, in-person training days, held on two Saturdays
✅ Train at a regional site in Kansas, with locations across the state so that many participants can attend close to home
✅ Graduate with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional foundation to begin supporting families in your community

And this is a real career opportunity. Kansas Medicaid now covers eligible doula services, creating a growing pathway for trained doulas to earn meaningful income while expanding access to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support. Birth work can allow you to care for your community and build a career that helps support your own family.

Care for your community. Build a career. Support your family.

Full scholarships are available now. Apply, get approved, and begin learning right away!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all seats have been filled. Apply today: https://forms.gle/s82Emuq1WsQFhnHy5