EDC Partners with DPH on New Massachusetts Maternal Health Initiative
EDC has been chosen by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) as their partner in launching and leading an important new initiative to transform maternal health and wellness. Massachusetts’ new Community Birth and Doula Integration Initiative will integrate doulas, midwives, and community birth centers—maternal care options that research shows can benefit mothers and babies—into the state’s maternal health system.
“Providing increased access to doulas, professional midwives, and community birth centers is a cornerstone of improving maternal health outcomes,” says EDC’s Rebecca Herman, who will direct the initiative. “We believe this work can save lives.”
In 2024, Massachusetts passed a landmark maternal health law that requires the state’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance program to expand its coverage of doula and midwife services to increase access to this health option for mothers. The initiative will play a key role in supporting this law by connecting systems, strengthening infrastructure, and raising public and provider awareness.
As part of the initiative, EDC and DPH will roll out a new statewide doula certification system and connect medical care facilities, doulas, licensed certified professional midwives (LCPMs), and birth centers to better serve mothers. A vital focus of the work will be implementing a person-centered transfer-of-care system to ensure positive experiences for patients as they transition between community care settings and hospital settings.
Important pieces of the initiative include:
- Statewide integration of LCPMs and community birth protocols
- A Doula Partner Advisory Group that will inform and guide the development of the doula certification system
- A new online resource hub on the DPH website
We invite you to learn more about EDC’s Maternal Health & Home Visiting work to improve the health and well-being of children, mothers, and families nationwide.
