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UWTC Celebrates Graduation of 120 Community Doulas, Advancing Maternal Health in the Region

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 5, 2024) — Marking a major achievement in our efforts to improve health outcomes for women and families across the region, United Way of Tarrant County (UWTC) proudly celebrated the graduation of 120 community doulas from our mental health program on October 26. The program, delivered in partnership with Child Poverty Action Lab and Paradigm Doulas, addresses disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly among Black women and other marginalized groups. ­­

After extensive training, the doulas are prepared to deliver vital services, including emotional, physical and informational support throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The current focus of their work is on ZIP code 76104 in Tarrant County, which has statistically had high maternal mortality rates. Doulas in the program have already assisted with 94 successful births, and 57 women are currently receiving doula services.

“This group of doulas is set to transform maternal care for hundreds of families in Tarrant County,” said Regina Williams, Chief Impact Officer and interim CEO of UWTC. “They are not only improving health outcomes but also addressing the systemic disparities that have disproportionately affected Black women and other marginalized communities. This graduation represents a big step in reducing maternal and infant mortality.”

Tarrant County faces serious maternal health challenges, including one of the highest infant mortality rates in Texas. Black women are 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.* Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) administered by Tarrant County, UWTC’s community doula program aims to address these disparities by offering personalized, culturally competent care. Doulas play a critical role in reducing premature labor, cesarean sections and low birth weights, making them essential in improving maternal and infant health.**

During the ceremony, UWTC announced a $1 million matching gift from an anonymous donor, which will support the organization’s goal to expand the maternal health program to 23 additional ZIP codes in the years ahead. This expansion aims to give even more women access to vital doula services, strengthening UWTC’s mission to improve health outcomes and reduce maternal mortality.

The matching gift campaign will double the impact of donations, allowing UWTC to reach hundreds more mothers in need of support across the region.

For more information about UWTC’s maternal health initiatives or to support the community doula program, visit unitedwaytarrant.org/maternal-health.

In addition to attending the doula graduation on October 26, many of the doulas participated in a training session focused on TeamBirth, a groundbreaking maternal health initiative introduced by UWTC at the Women United Investing in Impact Luncheon in May 2024. TeamBirth, developed by Ariadne Labs, is a communication and teamwork process designed to close the gaps in care and ensure that every person giving birth has a voice in their care. The first cohort to adopt this model includes seven hospitals from the JPS Health Network, Texas Health Resources and Baylor Scott & White. When TeamBirth launches in January 2025, these hospitals will be the first in Texas to offer this model of care.

About United Way of Tarrant County

United Way of Tarrant County brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. As a nonprofit leader, we help communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, financial stability and health resources, and respond in times of crisis. We help nearly 400,000 people every year through our resources. In 2022, we celebrated our 100th anniversary and launched our GET UNITED campaign to drive community impact for another century in Tarrant County.

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Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report 2024

** The Effect of Doulas on Maternal and Birth Outcomes: A Scoping Review