Visiting Nurse Association of Central NJ
Doula care is proven to promote healthy pregnancies, safe births, and positive experiences for mothers and families. Yet access to doulas remains limited—especially for low-income women in urban communities, where cost and lack of insurance coverage often place this support out of reach. For women facing higher risks of maternal and infant health complications, the absence of trusted, culturally responsive birth support can deepen existing disparities.
That is why HFNJ supported a project by Visiting Nurse Association of Central NJ to create the Essex County Community Doula Initiative. With two grants awarded in 2024-25 totaling more than $250,000, this program is strengthening maternal health outcomes while building a trusted, community-based workforce of doulas who reflect and serve the families of Essex County.
In the first year of funding, 13 community doula candidates enrolled in the Doula Learning Collaborative, entering the field equipped to support pregnant and postpartum clients. In 2026, VNA was providing ongoing support to the 11 remaining doulas and training 6 new candidates. Over the course of monthly learning sessions, doulas received high-quality instruction from expert speakers and consistently rated the training at the highest level. Each graduate was also provided with practical supplies to assist them during labor and delivery, ensuring they were prepared to serve clients with confidence and professionalism.
The impact on the community has been significant. Fifty-four pregnant clients were referred to the doulas, and every referral was accepted for care—an important marker of access in a high-need area. Doulas supported 56 lives births in the first year of the project. Outcomes have been overwhelmingly positive, with most births reaching full term, including one set of twins. Families reported feeling safe, supported, and respected throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, and no challenges were reported by hospitals or birthing centers.
Equally important, this initiative is helping to create a sustainable pathway for doulas. All participating doulas received training on applying for Medicaid reimbursement, a critical step in making community-based doula care financially viable and accessible to low-income families. New partnerships with organizations including Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey, the Greater Newark Healthcare Coalition, and Youth Consultation Services will further strengthen the program by integrating reproductive health education and mental health support.
By supporting this initiative, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is advancing healthier births, empowering families, and investing in a compassionate, community-driven response to maternal health inequities—one birth at a time.