Calming Nature Doula Service & Center
Maternal Health Equity Center
In partnership with Sisters Hospital, Calming Nature Doula Services and Center, a minority and woman-owned organization, is please to announce that through funding from the city of Buffalo, we have open a Maternal Health Center to improve the quality of women’s health, with the assistance of local, NYS credentialed Doulas, we will be working to address social determinants of health, racial disparities and other areas of improvement to increase birth outcomes and inequalities. The Maternal Health Equity Center (MHEC) focuses on supporting high-risk pregnant mothers, with the goal of improving women's health, reducing poor birth outcomes, and notably decreasing mortality and morbidity rates, with a high focus on the African American community. MHEC ensures that program participants have access to vital resources addressing social determinants to improve birth and health outcomes, prioritizing this aspect.
Applications
Participants
Details:
Eligibility:
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32 Weeks pregnant or less
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Must be considered high-risk during pregnancy due to medical conditions, socio-economic conditions, challenges with social determinants of health, or race, (particularly African American Women)
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Must be a patient of a Catholic Health provider, OBGYN or Midwife
Birth Doula/Postpartum Doula
MHEC Doulas provide informational, emotional, and physical support to the client and her personal birth team throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum phases. They offer Birth and Postpartum services to program participants either in person or via telehealth. Doulas are expected to adhere to the program's expectations, standards, and guidelines of Calming Nature Doula Service and Center, CNDSC. Doulas will utilize the Passport to Health questionnaire and adhere to a checklist outlined in the Health Passport booklet.
Client referrals will come directly from the MHEC Doula coordinator. Doulas may also receive referrals for individuals who are not enrolled in the program, but are interested in having Doulas support. They will be contracted and compensated with a stipend for their services through CNDSC, in addition to the rate received from Medicaid.
Doula Care Coordinator
The MHEP Doula Coordinator will collaborate closely with Calming Nature Doula and Catholic Health organizations to enroll eligible participants in the program. The Coordinator will work closely with Catholic Health OBGYN and Midwifery offices to identify and refer eligible high-risk patients. Ensuring program participants have access to vital resources to address social determinants and improve birth and health outcomes will be a priority.
As the primary liaison for MHEP Doulas, the Coordinator will utilize the Passport to Health questionnaire and adhere to a checklist outlined in the health Passport booklet. This involves facilitating referrals and registrations for each client, ensuring they can access the necessary resources and services.
The ideal candidate understands the importance of empathy, advocacy, and cultural competency in supporting clients to access essential services for establishing and maintaining healthy lives.
Peer Lactation Counselor
We are seeking compassionate and knowledgeable Peer Lactation Counselor to provide support, education, and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers. The ideal candidate will have personal breastfeeding experience for at least 6 months and a have passion for helping others. This role involves offering one-on-one counseling, leading support groups, and providing resources to new mothers to ensure a positive breastfeeding experience.