Roots Ohio Partner Events
Monthly Recurring Events 2026:
POEM Support group event calendar:
- POEM Rise Virtual Support Group – Every Monday at 7pm – 8:30pm
- POEM Virtual Support group – Every Wednesday at 7pm – 8:30pm
- In Person POEM Support Group (Westerville, Oh) at 10am-11:30am every 1st and 3rd Saturday
- In Person POEM Rise Support group (Columbus, Oh) at 11am-12:30pm every 2nd and 4th Saturday
- In Person Dayton Support group for POEM and Rise (TBD)
Here is our POEM Events page – updated when we have any special events: https://mhaohio.org/poem/poem-events/
Here is where you can learn more about our Education and Training initiatives (includes how to request a POEM presentation): https://mhaohio.org/poem/poem-education-training/
Adoption Circle Planned Events 2026:
2/4
Lunch and learn with Julie Janson(Alvis House) Will provide education bundles and diapers, and car seats and pack ‘n plays as needed. Planning to do weekly.
2/12
Jefferson County General Health District (Steubenville) Car seat instruction and giveaway (40 planned).
2/28
Licking Co Health Dept baby shower. Expecting at least 50 attendees. Bring bath education bundles and diapers (any size above 1).
March 3/7
CPR with trainer Valerie Woods at Sister’s Haven in Cleveland. Open to 30 participants. Will provide sick baby education bundles.
3/25
Pickaway Family and Children First Council Baby Shower 20-30 moms. Will bring baby education bundles, diapers mostly sizes 1 and 2, and wipes.
Monthly Recurring Events 2026:
Roots Ohio
Parenting & Pregnancy Program
A Trauma-Informed, Justice-Responsive Family Support Series
February 2026 – June 2027
Population Focus (HLD-specific):
Justice-impacted parents (incarcerated, reentering, probation/parole-involved)
System-involved families (child welfare, courts, behavioral health)
Fathers and male caregivers often excluded from parenting spaces
Extended caregivers (grandparents, kinship caregivers)
Young and first-time parents navigating multiple systems
Phase 1: Trust-Building & Engagement
One Session Per Month | February–June 2026
HLD, Inc.: These sessions establish psychological safety, normalize system stressors, and explicitly name the realities of parenting under surveillance, stigma, or reentry.
February 28th, 2026 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST – Healthy Relationships (Webinar)
Session:
Healthy Relationships While Navigating Systems
Presenters: Dr. Domonique Rice + HLD Intern Co-Facilitator
Unique Lens:
Relationships under stress from courts, child welfare, reentry, or supervision
How system involvement strains communication and trust
Building relational safety during pregnancy
DCY Alignment: Family stability ▪️ protective factors ▪️ healthy relationships
Intern Role: Facilitate reflection groups + resource navigation
March 28th, 2026 11:00 am – 12:30 pm est – Pregnancy, Identity & Reentry (Webinar)
Session:
Becoming a Parent While Rebuilding Your Life
Presenters: Dr. Rice + HLD Clinician
Unique Lens:
Parenting identity during reentry or active system involvement
Shame, fear, and hope during pregnancy
Preparing emotionally to parent while stabilizing housing/employment
DCY Alignment: Parent readiness ▪️ maternal/paternal mental health
Intern Role: Assist with intake screening & follow-up referrals
April 25th, 2026 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST – Infant Bonding & Attachment (Webinar)
Session:
Bonding With Your Baby When Time, Access, or Trust Has Been Interrupted
Presenters: HLD Clinician + Intern
Unique Lens:
Bonding after incarceration, hospitalization, or separation
Rebuilding connection with infants (0–12 months)
Repairing missed moments
DCY Alignment: Infant well-being ▪️ attachment ▪️ early bonding
Intern Role: Small-group discussion facilitation
May 30th, 2026 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST– Mother’s Appreciation (System-Impacted Mothers) (Webinar)
Session:
Honoring Mothers Who Carry It All
Presenters: Dr. Rice + Female Clinician
Unique Lens:
Mothers navigating surveillance, compliance, and caregiving
Postpartum mental health + system pressure
Strengths-based recognition
DCY Alignment: Maternal mental health ▪️ caregiver support
Intern Role: Strengths mapping activity
June 27th, 2026 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST – Father’s Appreciation (System-Impacted Fathers) (Webinar)
Session:
Fatherhood Beyond the Label: Presence, Protection, and Purpose
Presenters: Corey Ball + Male Clinician
Unique Lens:
Fatherhood during reentry or system involvement
Breaking stereotypes about “absent fathers”
Men as emotional caregivers for infants
DCY Alignment: Father engagement ▪️ caregiver inclusion
Intern Role: Peer discussion support
Roots Ohio Webinar
Reclaiming the Narrative: Pregnancy, Power & Advocacy Across Every Age
Hosted by: Hope, Love, and Dream, Inc. (HLD, Inc.)
Program: ROOTS Ohio – Reclaiming Our Ownership Through Support
Date: Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, at 6:00 PM EST
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
Duration: 60 Minutes
Pregnancy often comes with powerful emotions — but also stigma, judgment, and misinformation. No matter the age — teens, 20s, 30s, or 40s+ — there is often a narrative placed on individuals about whether they are “too young,” “too old,” or “unprepared.”
This 1-hour virtual webinar explores:
The historical and cultural context of pregnancy stigma
The experience of not being believed in healthcare settings
Unique considerations for women of color navigating pregnancy
The stigma associated with pregnancy across every age range
Practical advocacy skills and scripts for medical and community settings
Participants will leave with tools to confidently advocate for themselves, reduce internalized shame, and reclaim their pregnancy narrative.
Who Should Arrend
Expecting parents, individuals planning pregnancy, partners, doulas, community advocates, and anyone seeking empowerment and support during pregnancy.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will:
Identify common forms of pregnancy stigma across the lifespan
Understand historical and systemic influences on maternal experiences
Recognize how bias impacts healthcare interactions
Apply practical advocacy strategies in medical settings