Inspired by her work on the front lines with unhoused neighbors, specifically pregnant individuals, during the height of the pandemic, Lindsey Richard saw an opportunity to make a difference at a systemic level. In her role as Senior Analyst and Program Manager for the Los Angeles County Abundant Birth Project, Richard affectionately refers to herself as “the glue” holding her team together.
“I make sure that our program is running smoothly, ensuring that my team members feel seen and heard, and that they have the resources they need to support our participants,” shares Lindsey. “I’m constantly wearing my pivot hat. I make sure reporting gets done, handle media outreach and program promotion, and attend lots of meetings to share the amazing work my team is doing. A big part of my role is about connecting people and removing barriers so this important work can happen.”
The California Abundant Birth Project (CA ABP) is an initiative of Heluna Health partner, Expecting Justice, a Black-led collaborative founded in San Francisco that is focused on improving maternal and infant health in vulnerable communities. The reality is that Black mothers are 3–4x more likely to experience a pregnancy related death (CDC, 2018), have higher rates of hypertension (Shahul et al., 2015), and tend to experience physical “weathering” at higher rates due to chronic stress exposure (Geronimus, 1992) than their white counterparts. CA ABP is a guaranteed income program that provides cash during pregnancy, designed to relieve stress and give parents the support they need, making births healthier and safer for those facing these increased risks during their pregnancy journeys.
Los Angeles County’s Abundant Birth Project (LAC ABP) is one of 4 counties running this program as a pilot for statewide expansion and is currently serving 410 participants across the county. As part of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Division, the program brings the best of prevention science to support optimal community health, targeting its efforts to communities most impacted by social and economic inequities.
At the heart of LAC ABP’s model is trust. In providing no-strings-attached cash assistance, the program is grounded in the belief that people are experts in their own lives. “We’re making sure participants know that we trust them with this support,” Lindsey explains. “This is cash to do what’s best for themselves and for their loved ones. Our mission is to make sure people feel heard, feel seen, and feel supported.”
For Lindsey, empowerment is central to everything she does. “I want to empower both our participants and our staff. I want people to take the time they need to recharge so they can show up as their best selves, especially in work like this that can be very emotionally demanding.”
As of January 2026, the CA ABP has served 1001 participants with $11.1 million disbursed, resulting in 716 successful births across both pilots, Expecting Justice and ABP, and counting. “These programs work,” says Lindsey. “It’s important for me to name the reality that birthing folks and babies are dying. But our program talks the talk and walks the walk. Our guaranteed income and additional support services are working, and they are saving lives.”
LAC ABP’s impact doesn’t stop there. “With stable financial support, we’re seeing participants get out of debt, go back to school, and work toward long-term goals,” Lindsey shares. The program doesn’t just help people survive pregnancy, but it creates pathways to stability and opportunity, too.
She adds, “Times are rough right now, especially here in L.A. County. The cost of living is astronomical. This financial support can be the difference between constant crisis mode and having a moment to breathe.”
Ultimately, behind every participant is a journey of resilience, of struggle, and of hope. “There is always a story behind these pregnant people and parents who are receiving this cash support,” Lindsey reflects. “Our job is to honor those stories and meet people with dignity and care.”
To learn more about the Abundant Birth Project and how guaranteed income is transforming maternal health outcomes, click here.
