This past April, 18 individuals started their journey to becoming doulas! Funded by the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, the Birth Equity Project held the third doula training cohort. The goal of the project is to increase the local workforce of doulas that are Medicaid-certified. Participants completed birth doula training, through DONA International, have started supplemental training, and will start shadowing soon.
The ENAHEC team is excited for this new cohort, especially with the new statewide Medicaid doula initiative that began in March 2024. This initiative means Medicaid-eligible moms throughout New York state can receive doula services free of charge. With the increasing doula workforce, moms in every county can now be reached and supported. ENAHEC will be able to expand our reach to Niagara County, now that the doula Medicaid-project is not limited to just Erie County.
With this increase in the doula workforce, we can increase the number of pregnant individuals and families that can receive doula services and reduce health disparities seen in our community’s maternal and infant population. We are looking forward to the amazing work this group will provide for the community!
Cohort 3 Doula Training Class 2024
Comfort Measure Demonstration
Learning how babies move through the pelvis during delivery
Comfort Measure Demonstration