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Amid Passage of Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act
LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), through its Institute for Community Health Innovation, is seeking more applicants to its doula scholarship program amid the state’s passage of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, which paves the way for Medicaid reimbursement for doula care.
Gov. Sarah Sanders signed the act into law last week, which also includes presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant applicants and reimbursement pathways for perinatal community health workers.
The institute announced earlier this year its scholarship program to train individuals across the state to become doulas. With funding support in part from the Arkansas Blue & You Foundation and the Arkansas Community Foundation, and through a partnership with Ujima Maternity Network and Birthing Beyond, the institute is offering $3,295 scholarships to individuals to participate in the six-month training program. The program includes 40 hours of in-person training with Ujima, as well as a scheduled three-day virtual training with Birthing Beyond. Participants will also complete a 45-hour Certified Breastfeeding Counselor course and will train in HIPAA and CPR.
The institute is currently seeking applicants, particularly those who live in rural areas, who can attend one of the following weeklong, in-person classes:
The training will also help participants navigate self-employment to equip them to serve as doulas professionally after they complete the program. The passage of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act will help program participants sustain their career after receiving certification, said Krista Langston, MBA, executive director of community programs at the institute.
“While we’re offering the training for people to learn how to become a doula, the state has taken a huge step forward to ensure those trainees can take what they learn and apply it to a more sustainable career,” Langston said. “By addressing financial and structural barriers, we can improve birth outcomes, reduce maternal mortality and support healthier families across the state. We applaud the state’s commitment to strengthening maternal health and providing resources that will positively impact generations to come.”
Doulas are trained birth coaches who provide continuous emotional support, advocate for and aid informed decision-making during labor and delivery, assist with breastfeeding initiation and support, promote positive maternal mental health, and advocate for culturally sensitive care within health care systems. The use of doulas has been strongly advocated by the institute and other partners to improve maternal mortality rates across the state.
Eligible trainees must be at least 18 years of age, be proficient in English, have a valid driver’s license and have reliable internet access. The deadline to apply to the program is March 1.
Arkansas currently has fewer than 50 trained doulas, and the state does not offer official doula certification. The UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation is partnering with the Doula Alliance of Arkansas, Ujima Maternity Network, Excel by Eight, the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and hospitals statewide to develop a doula association and to train 200 new doulas over the next two years.
“This project would not be possible without the generous support of the Arkansas Blue & You Foundation, the Arkansas Community Foundation, and other critically important donors and partners who share our commitment to creating a better state of health for all Arkansans,” said Langston.
For more information about the doula training program or to apply for a doula training scholarship, visit uams.health/doula.
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