My name is Charlene Becker. I am a CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator, a CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator, a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. I am currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education at ASU. Over the past fourteen years, I have assisted more than two thousand pregnant and parenting families in achieving healthier outcomes through education and guidance.
In 2011, I joined a new program called Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services, which focused on Healthy Pregnancy and Childbirth Education for pregnant teens. This initiative addressed the critical needs of the community due to high teen pregnancy rates and a lack of resources for Healthy Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Childhood Education.
Through AZYP, LAHMB (Linking Actions for Healthy Mothers and Babies) program was established through a grant through HRSA. LAHMB serves pregnant and parenting women of all ages, including those with substance use disorder. It offers Healthy Pregnancy Classes, Childbirth Classes, and Breastfeeding Classes that include education on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome and caring case management for up to one year after baby is born.
As a result of the programs provided by AZYP, we have witnessed a reduction in cesarean rates and opioid use among pregnant mothers, as well as an increase in breastfeeding rates in Gila County. Families now feel empowered to ask questions and advocate for themselves, leading to healthier outcomes.