Navigating the early months of the pandemic was a difficult time. The fear of contracting COVID-19 as a pregnant or postpartum person made the pandemic particularly challenging for this population. Local Health Departments (LHD) have played an integral role in ensuring that pregnant and postpartum people have access to care and services during the pandemic.

Through focus group discussions, we want to hear from LHD staff about their experience supporting pregnant and postpartum people during the pandemic. We hope to gain insight into the strategies that LHDs implemented to identify and respond to pregnant and postpartum parents’ needs, concerns, and health-seeking behaviors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us to share the barriers, challenges, and lessons and learning in supporting pregnant and postpartum people in your community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The information gathered during the focus groups will inform communication materials, resource creation, and technical assistance provision to support LHD efforts to protect pregnant and postpartum during public health emergencies.

Three focus groups will be held on the following dates:

· Tuesday, September 28 — 3:00 PM–4:30 PM EDT

· Wednesday, October 6 — 3:00 PM–4:30 PM EDT

· Tuesday, October 12 — 3:00 PM–4:30 PM EDT

Each focus group will be 90 minutes long. Please complete the RSVP form no later than Friday, September 10, so we may send you the Zoom invitation.

RSVP Form: https://forms.office.com/r/07YC4p8bAJ.

You will receive an email from NACCHO staff by September 17 to confirm your focus group participation status.