Bringing Community-Based Doula Care To New Jersey




Year: 2020
State: NJ
Website link: https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200826.348190/full/
Publicly Available: Yes
Certification: CHW input in process, CHW role scope of practice, Competencies, Legislative language bills etc., Role of state government
Policy: Building partnerships, General language around CHW WD, General other, Legislative language
Sustainable Financing: Engaging state partners in general, General other, Including community-based CHWs, MCO or bundled payment reimbursement models, Documentation of how CHWs can work within care teams, Evidence-based interventions, Results from pilots studies etc. that aren't published in formal literature, ROI and bundled payment successes/challenges
Workforce Development: CDC expand CHW work into SDOH, CHW training programs (not cert.), General other (including mention of “employment practices”), Promotores, Training- Content modes delivery

Community-based doula care provides a powerful and personalized strategy for improving birth outcomes for mothers and babies. From prenatal planning to postpartum visits, doula care can impact more than a patient’s experience. Evidence demonstrates that doula care can play an important role in improving health outcomes by acting as a mitigating factor for maternal mortality, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color. In New Jersey, state officials have recognized the potential of community-based doula care to support healthy births, by passing legislation to increase access to doula services and convening a diverse stakeholder group to develop doula care policies and procedures as part of a collaborative policy-making approach.