Topic: The Unique Challenges Birthing People and Families Face During the Perinatal Period: Emotional Wellness, Postpartum Adjustment, Barriers to Care, and Systemic Disparities

The speaker will share practical approaches for social workers to:

Integrate trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered care into perinatal work.
Recognize and respond to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) that often go undiagnosed and untreated.
Understand the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on maternal health and family stability, and discuss strategies for safe intervention.
Strengthen social and peer support networks as protective factors that reduce isolation and improve postpartum outcomes.
Address disparities that impact maternal health outcomes, especially for marginalized communities.
Explore the intersection of social work values with maternal wellness services, including advocacy, emotional support, and resource connection.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Recognize common psychosocial challenges during the perinatal and postpartum periods, including PMADs and IPV.
Apply culturally responsive and strengths-based strategies to support maternal wellness.
Identify resources, peer-support options, and advocacy opportunities for improving maternal health equity.

Presenter: Kenya Perry

Kenya Perry is a Master of Social Work candidate at Chamberlain University and the Founder of A Fruitful Beginning Doula & Maternal Wellness Services, where she provides holistic, family-centered support to mothers throughout the perinatal period.
Kenya’s specialties include: maternal mental health, reproductive wellness, and maternal health advocacy. Integrating her clinical social work training with her passion for empowering women and families. With her previous work as a Behavioral Therapist for children with autism, she is no stranger to supporting family wellness, behavioral development, and integration through
individualized and evidence-based interventions. Currently, Kenya serves as an MSW intern at iBelieve Maternal Wellness & Counseling Center.
She is a Volunteer Coordinator for Postpartum Support International (PSI) and a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She also serves as a Maternal Health Client Advocate with F.I.R.S.T. Team America. Kenya is dedicated to advancing competent and accessible care for women and families navigating the transitions of motherhood.

Cost: 

NASW Members: $2

Students: FREE

Non-members: $15

Once you pay, your money cannot be refunded and it will be your responsibility to find someone to take your spot if you can no longer attend.

CE: 1 hour of CE is available. Proof of attendance for CE will be distributed via email within one week after the event.

Those registering as students will not receive CE for this event.

NASW-NC does not allow any AI notetaking tools to be utilized during Local Program Unit webinars. Any AI notetaking tools that are present in the Zoom room will be removed by moderators. Additionally, NASW-NC does not permit any unauthorized recording or distribution of any Local Program Unit webinars. NASW-NC reserves the right to remove or bar from future events any registrants and/or attendees who do not abide by these policies. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact membership.naswnc@socialworkers.org. We appreciate your understanding.

Zoom link will be emailed out to registrants the day before the meeting.

If you don't think you have received the Zoom link, please check your Spam folder. If not in your Spam, please email Seth Maid at smaid.naswnc@socialworkers.org or Mary Choe at mchoe.naswnc@socialworkers.org for assistance BEFORE the LPU event begins.

Ideas presented by speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of NASW-NC.