Celebrating Three Years of the Maternal Health Project

As we close out three years of funding from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, we’re proud to celebrate the progress, community, and care that have shaped our maternal health program. 

Over the course of three training cohorts, we trained 52 doulas in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. Our first cohort launched in October 2022 with 12 doulas trained. In June 2023, our second cohort trained 18 doulas, and in April 2024, our third trained 22 doulas. Many of these doulas are now Medicaid-certified or working toward certification, helping more families across our region receive the support they need during pregnancy, birth, and beyond. 

We provided personalized prenatal and postpartum care to over 70 mothers, offering education, one-on-one support, and help navigating services. Every family’s experience is unique, and the program aimed to meet parents where they were—with compassion, connection, and practical tools. Participants received education on health literacy, mental health, postpartum support, parenting, childhood milestones, safe sleep, and nutrition. 

Throughout the program, mothers shared how much this support meant to them. One participant said, “One of the most impactful aspects of this program is that no matter where you are on your motherhood journey, you are made to feel seen, heard, and supported. The team is incredibly respectful, patient, and understanding, always striving to help you navigate life’s challenges in the most compassionate and practical way. They offer access to community resources, free educational classes, job search support, and assistance with essential needs such as children’s clothing, furniture, and toiletries.” 

Another shared, “I’ve had the opportunity to build a strong support network—a true village—when it comes to caring for my children. Through the program, I was connected with a network of women, including childcare providers and other valuable resources, which has significantly helped me balance work and family responsibilities.” 

The impact reached beyond parenting, with one participant saying, “The program has also encouraged me to become more actively engaged and has helped me overcome the fear of judgment when seeking support from community services. It’s empowered me to recognize that utilizing available resources is a strength, not a weakness!” 

This work also helped raise awareness about the importance of maternal care in Western New York. A doula-in-training shared, “It really opened my eyes to how real the positive impact of birth work is for all women, but specifically women of color. I did not realize it was just as much of an issue within my community as I have read about disparities in other states in this country. It’s really helped me understand how important this work is for this generation and future generations of women, and I hope this work can help past generations of women feel at peace knowing we are making positive changes for birthing women everywhere.” 

With support from the community and many partners, we helped advocate for the expansion of the Erie County Doula Pilot Project into a statewide Medicaid initiative. This effort ensures that more families in New York State can access doula care, regardless of location. Throughout this process, our team met with local representatives, shared stories from program participants, and elevated the voices of doulas to highlight the critical role they play in improving birth outcomes and supporting families. By bringing real-life experiences directly to decision-makers, we were able to help shape a more responsive and inclusive approach to maternal care in New York State.

In addition to support and advocacy, we focused on building lasting connections. Over the past three years, we have created opportunities for families, doulas, and community members to come together in meaningful ways. Each spring, we hosted an event for Black Maternal Health Week, creating space to reflect on the challenges that exist in maternal care and to celebrate the strength and resilience of the mothers and doulas at the heart of this work. 

During the winter season, our Holiday Parties offered a chance for families to gather. In the spring, our Mother’s Day Socials honored and celebrated the incredible journey of motherhood, giving space for moms to connect, share stories, and be recognized for all they do. 

To close out the grant cycle, we hosted an End of Year Picnic where participants, doulas, families, and staff came together to reflect on the journey we’ve taken, and the relationships built along the way. These gatherings were more than events, they were reminders of how important it is to be seen, supported, and celebrated. They helped reinforce what many participants described as one of the most valuable aspects of the program, having a community. 

Thanks to the support of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, our maternal health work is continuing to grow. We are expanding into violence prevention with trauma-informed resources, enhancing postpartum care to better support families beyond birth, and developing sustainable local doula training so that high-quality support remains accessible in our region. 

As one participant expressed it, "This program has redefined what it means to have a village—offering practical tools and a support system that reminds me I’m not alone.”