Community-based doula support in NYC: Expanding access through partnerships with community-based organizations

Doula support before, during, and following birth is recognized as one of the most effective strategies to improve maternal health outcomes, yet few women in underserved communities can access this beneficial service. Community-based doula programs have demonstrated success in reducing disparities and meeting the needs of women at the greatest risk of poor birth outcomes. However, some community-based doula programs are highly resource intensive, restricting their reach. Other programs are limited in the services offered, limiting their impact.

A new city-wide program in New York City has been developed to meet women’s need for comprehensive, coordinated support services in a way that is resource-efficient.  This new program trains community-based doulas and links them with existing community-based organizations that have not previously offered doula support to their clients. This approach expands the community-based doula workforce, increases the diversity of the doula workforce, augments the services offered by community-based organizations, and enhances the care the doulas can provide.  The model expands access to continuous, comprehensive support for women at risk of poor outcomes.  Because doulas are the only support workers who provide care during labor, birth, and the early post-partum period, their support fills an existing gap and increases continuity of care.

This session will describe the benefits of doula care, the model of care developed by the program, the rationale behind this model, data and information collected by the program, and the results of the program evaluation in its initial year of operation. The session will include feedback obtained in focus groups with participants in the program, as well as lessons that can be applied in other communities.