Background:
In Los Angeles County, approximately 1.9 million women comprise 44% of the workforce. Approximately 56% of women age 16 or older are in the labor force, while 60% of all women with children work. The rate of working single mothers has surged to 72%. More than half of adult women rely on employer-based health care coverage, with only about 7% purchasing their own insurance coverage. The workplace is a critical site for reaching women and providing messaging on preconception care. The LA Best Babies Network is working with targeted employers on implementing pregnancy and family friendly workplace policies.


Objectives:
By the end of the presentation participants will learn to develop and implement an employer based strategy for preconception care messaging. Participants will learn how to provide technical assistance to employers to develop and implement pregnancy and family friendly workplace policies.

Methods:
• Hosted the Perinatal Summit to develop policy recommendations which included Support Every Woman to Have a Reproductive Life Plan.
• Developed action plan, which included working with target employers on implementing pregnancy and family friendly workplace policies.
• Developed Pregnancy and Family Friendly Workplace Policies brochure and dissemination plan;
• Received endorsement from the Health Committee of the LA Chamber of Commerce;
• Developed criteria for working with employers
1. Willingness to examine existing policies and consider new policies
2. Level of readiness defined by dedicated personnel and resources
3. Percentage of reproductive age women in the workplace
• Interviewed targeted employers and initiated plans to implement new policies promoting health and wellness including messaging on preconception care.


Results:
The activities are currently underway. We are identifying employers and we will work with them over the next year on examining existing policies and implementing new policies in the following areas:
• Improving health care utilization
• Promoting an On-site Wellness Program
• Promoting flexible work policies
• Factory and facility readiness


Conclusion and implications for practice:
Employers are key partners in promoting preconception care health and messaging to women in the workforce is a key strategy for promoting preconception care and for improving pregnancy and birth outcomes.