Grand Rapids African American Health Institute · Pathways - Black Womb Workers-GRAAHI Doula Initiative-Meet & Greet

Black Womb Workers

GRAAHI Doula Initiative

MEET & GREET REGISTRATION

In 2019, GRAAHI published a comprehensive scoping review of infant and maternal mortality and morbidity in the Black and African American community. The data revealed that Kent County, the fourth-largest county by population in Michigan, reported the Black infant mortality rate “was significantly higher than the White infant mortality rate throughout the decade from 2010-2020” (Brown, et. al., 2022). The Kent County Fetal Infant Mortality Review team developed a complimentary report called, “Celebrating More First Birthdays”. In this report, the zip code 49507 had the highest infant mortality rate, with 49509, 49503, 49508, and 49548 respectively ranking the highest infant mortality in Kent County. The highest causation of these deaths within these specific zip codes revealed that “... Black and Hispanic infants most commonly died of prenatal issues which are most likely attributed to the health of the mother during pregnancy” (VanScoy, 2024).

The Black Womb Workers is GRAAHI’s Doula Initiative to support the closure of social determinants, such as racism, implicit bias, and socioeconomic status, that negatively impact birth outcomes for birthing individuals and babies. Doulas are trained birth professionals who help individuals have positive birth experiences by providing non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth. Studies show that doulas improve social determinants of health, support equity, decrease existing health and racial disparities in infant and maternal health, and ultimately, improve birth outcomes for both baby and birthing individuals.

GRAAHI acknowledges how social determinants of health impact how birthing individuals navigate the healthcare system and how critical advocacy and education are in developing equities for Black and African American Infant and Maternal Health. From 2016-2021, the leading cause of infant death was prenatal care, and social determinants of health created a disproportionate burden of loss for maternal health.

The goal of the Black Womb Workers is to certify members in the Kent County community as doulas to improve access, community, and equity to prenatal care for both baby and birthing individuals.

As of January 1, 2023 doula services became a covered preventative care component of Michigan Medicaid services. Michigan Medicaid will now cover different types of doula services, including community-based doulas, labor and birth doulas, and postpartum doulas. Read more about Medicaid coverage of doula services.

If you are interested in serving as a doula for Kent County, please complete the registration below. You will receive an email from the Pathways Department within 2-3 business days. Please reach out to Post Secondary Engagement Specialist, Ashley Starr, ashley.starr@graahi.org, with any questions.

Please note, completing this application does not guarantee a reserved spot in this training. You will have to complete an onsite interview at your selected meet and greet. Applicants will receive an admission status update email from Ashley Starr by 11:59 PM on January 24, 2025.

Still unsure? Check out what DONA International Birth Doula Trainer Jessica English of Heart Soul Birth Pros will teach you!

Name *

First Name

Last Name

Email *

Verify Email *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Select which of the following best describes you. *

Asian/Pacific Islander

Black/African American

Hispanic/Latino

Native American/Alaskan Native

White/Caucasian

Biracial/Multiracial

A race/ethnicity no listed here

Preferred Pronouns (ex: she/her/hers) *

Gender Identity *

Male

Female

Non-binary/non-gender conforming

Transgender

Not listed here

Date of Birth *

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Phone Number- please note that by providing your phone number you are giving us permission to contact you specifically for the Black Womb Workers certification program. *

In order to participate in our doula certification program, we are hosting a meet and greet and interview process for our initiative. Please select which date and time meets your preference. *

January 15, 2025 at 12:30PM - 3:00 PM

January 22, 2025 at 6:00PM - 8:30PM

I commit to fully attending all four days of the Black Womb Workers Birth Doula Training taking place February 5 to 8, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM in Grand Rapids, MI. *

Which of the following best describes you? *

Interested in becoming a Doula and have no previous Doula or labor and delivery experience

A current RN, serving in a labor and delivery unit

A current Midwife, serving in a labor and delivery unit, birthing center, or home based setting

A current OB, serving in a labor and delivery unit

A current Doula has not completed a MDHHS-approved qualified Doula training program

Other

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute is bringing this training to our community to increase equitable access to professional doulas in our community and to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. *

Therefore, our primary mission is to support the closure of racial and ethnic barriers for African Americans and Hispanic individuals.

I commit to providing doula services for at least two individuals or families within Kent county each year, and I understand that my caseload is diverse with specific attention to the African American and Hispanic communities to support GRAAHI's access, community, and equity goal.

I cannot commit to providing doula services for at least two individuals or families within the Kent County each year, and I understand that my caseload is diverse with specific attention to the African American and Hispanic communities to support GRAAHI's access, community, and equity goal.

I am a RN, OB, or Midwife and I commit to incorporating the skills and tools learned in this training into my everyday practice

I understand the value of this DONA Approved Birth Doula Training is $897, including additional training materials. *

If you are an individual who otherwise would not be able to attend this training because of financial difficulties, scholarships may be available.

I understand the investment GRAAHI is making to expand access to professional doulas in our community.

I am financially able to make the following investment in myself, this training, and my profession: *

The full cost of my training ($897) will be covered by my employer

50% of the training at $448.50

I will be unable to participate in the doula certification without a full scholarship award.

I am willing to enthusiastically serve individuals and families of all race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and abilities. *

I understand GRAAHI's mission to close ethnic and racial gaps in Kent County.

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly agree

I commit to becoming a Michigan Dept. of Health & Human Services Certified Doula, joining the MDHHS Doula Registry and enrolling as a Medicaid provider: *

Yes

Unsure

I am willing to provide doula services to recipients of Michigan Medicaid and I am willing to accept the Michigan Medicaid reimbursement rate as full payment for services provided to Michigan Medicaid recipients: *

Yes

I am under 18 years old and unable to qualify for Medicaid reimbursement training.

High school participants who are 16 years or older must submit a complimentary letter of endorsement or recommendation and transcript from a teacher and a legal guardian to verify the support to be available for the responsibilities included in birth work *

Also send an unofficial transcript that includes your GPA to verify your academic standing. Please note: the minimum GPA for participation is 2.75/4.0. Send all of these materials to ashley.starr@graahi.org in order for your application to be considered complete.

I understand.

Please list any food allergies . *

Briefly explain why you are interested in becoming a doula and the ways you see your work supporting the community. *

It is important to fully consider your ability to provide birth doula services upon completion of this training. *

You will need adequate and reliable transportation and childcare, and flexibility in your schedule to ensure availability to your client's from 38 to 42 weeks of their pregnancy to ensure you or a doula partner are present to support them throughout labor and delivery. From the trainer: In the early years of the birth doula profession, there was mostly one way to be a doula: on-call, 24/7, from 38 to 42 weeks of your client’s pregnancy. The profession has become much more creative and flexible since then, so this career can be more open and accessible to lots of people. Some doulas still operate in the traditional mode of 24/7 call time, which is a great way to form a deep connection with your clients. Others decide on a partnership model (usually two to four doulas) where one of the partners attends the birth, based on a call schedule. There are lots of options to craft a doula career that can work in your life, and we will outline all of the possibilities during the training.

I understand the commitment that is needed and I commit to having adequate and reliable transportation and childcare

I understand the commit that is needed and I will need to do work between now and the training to ensure I have adequate and reliable transportation and childcare

I will be fully available from 38 to 42 weeks of my client's pregnancy to ensure I can support them throughout labor and delivery

I will need to form a partnership model to ensure full availability from 38 to 42 weeks of my client's pregnancy to ensure they are supported throughout labor and delivery

N/A: I am a RN/OB/Midwife

Do you require any physical accommodations? *

Yes

If so, how best can we accommodate you? *

Please take a moment to note below: Any barriers, questions, concerns or comments you have. *

Please list any barriers you anticipate that may prevent your ability to fully commit to serving individuals and families through pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the early postpartum period any questions or concerns you may have, accommodations that may be necessary for your participation in this training and any comments you would like to contribute.

Thank you for interest in becoming a professional doula