After nearly 35 years of providing quality childbirth education classes in our community, Salem Childbirth Education Association (SCEA) is closing its doors. We have found it increasingly difficult to maintain the level of funding and volunteer support needed to provide our services to the hundreds of expectant parents who attend our classes annually. Despite valiant efforts by our staff and volunteer Board of Directors, SCEA will close September 30, 2005.

SCEA has worked diligently to offer only the very best in childbirth education classes and employ only highly-qualified, fully-certified childbirth educators. However, we recognize a shift, both nationally and locally in attitude and priorities about the importance of preparing for such a significant event as the birth of a child. Or, perhaps, it is simply a change in the economic make-up of our community. The fact is, that while attendance in our free childbirth classes for low income WIC and teen moms has skyrocketed, attendance in our tuition based classes continues to dwindle, making it impossible to continue our program.

With our closure, the following independent SCEA services will no longer be available in our community:

1. FREE childbirth classes for low-income, WIC and teen parents
2. Evening and weekend childbirth classes: Preparing for Birth and Been There, Done That: a refresher course
3. BedRest Baskets for those confined to bed during pregnancy
4. Bellies, Buttons and Bows Resale Event - a great opportunity for families to purchase all the things a baby needs at greatly reduced prices. Our last sale will be Saturday, November 5th, 2005.
5. SCEA sponsored Parent Rest Station at the Salem Art Fair where families can rest, feed and change their babies in a clean, safe environment.

Perhaps, at some point in the future, parents will once again come together...just like they did 35 years ago, and agree that an organization like SCEA is important in the community.

SCEA would like to thank the Salem Community for the support through the years and wish you all the best of luck in the future.

SCEA Board of Directors