The grant in part will cover training costs related to the opioids epidemic and how it effects pregnant woman and their unborn fetus, here in Chautauqua County.

The Baby Cafe will be featuring a series of three opioid seminars, in a joint venture with the UPMC/WCA hospital and the Chautauqua Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council (CASAC).

The Baby Cafe’ first joint opioid seminar “Opioids and Pregnancy” drew in over 85 professionals from Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Warren, Erie and Monroe counties, funded by a grant from the Community Region Foundation and UPMC/WCA.

The second seminar of the three-part series will feature, “How Opioids effect the Fetus and the New Born Babies,” will be held on Friday Jan. 26, in the auditorium at UPMC Chautauqua WCA hospital from 10 a.m. To 1 p.m. with a light lunch to be provided. Dr. Davina Moss-King will be the presenter.

The third series will be held on Friday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring “The Usage of Opioids and How it Effects Breastfeeding,” and will be held in the auditorium of the hosiptal. The seminars are all weather permitting and open to the public.

With the tremendous support by the grants from the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York, it will move us closer to addressing how opioid/addictions and the exposures effects infants and how that usage of opioids effects breastfeeding, in addition to getting these pregnant mothers the help that they need, said Joyce Bess, Coordinator for the Cafe.

The Health Foundation of Western and Central New York is an independent private foundation that sparks lasting change in health and health care, across Western and Central New York, with a special focus on young children, vulnerable older adults and the system serving them, the foundation continue to improve in health and health care by investing in the people and organizations that serve our young children and our older adults.

The Baby Cafe’ provides free, informal and a baby friendly atmosphere with on going high quality Certified Lactation care, in all efforts in raising awareness of the importance of Breastfeeding. Our mission is to increase the resources for breast-feeding for mothers and improve maternal and infant health care while closing the Heath care gaps, stated Miss Bess.

For more information about the upcoming seminars you may contact Catherine Harrison at 708-6399 or e-mail Charrison414@gmail.com. Visit the Cafe at 31 Water St. or visit wwwbabycafeusa.org.

The Cafe’ except donations through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St.