The Howard County Health Department is “bridging public health services with private-sector expertise” in a new Doula Partnership Program.
The program, also known as the P.E.A.C.E Project, pairs independent doulas with families of all income levels to assist with the childbirth process. The health department will cover all or “a large portion” of the doula’s costs.
Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said the program supports individuals during the birthing process and the postpartum period, or after birth.
“By investing in this innovative model of care, the Howard County Health Department is advancing its commitment to health equity and ensuring that families have access to the resources and support they need for a healthier start,” Rossman said.
A doula is a trained caregiver who supports individuals with physical, emotional and informational support during childbirth. They work with the individual’s medical team, as opposed to a midwife who can physically provide clinical care.
Karen Kelly is the care provider for Karen Kelly Doula, a postpartum doula care service in Maryland. She provides services around Central Maryland but primarily works, and lives, in Howard County.
“I think it’s phenomenal, and I think it’s the future of perinatal care across the country,” Kelly said. “Many states are starting to implement programs like this, and I love that Howard County is doing it.”
Doula care was added as a service to Maryland’s Medicaid in 2022. In order to participate in the Doula Partnership Program, doulas must be Medicaid credentialed, meaning they comply with the Medicaid requirements of the state of Maryland.
A doula must “give service during a birthing parent’s prenatal period, labor, delivery and postpartum period,” according to the requirements. This disqualifies Kelly from participating since she only provides care after the baby is born in the postpartum period.
“I don’t qualify because I’m not a birth doula,” she said. “It’s a big deal to get certified as a birth doula…. My expertise is in postpartum, and I’m very good at what I do.”
Kelly, however, submitted a form for the program. The health department said those participating in the program will receive training in Medicaid credentialing, billing, professional supports, client referrals, promotional visibility and more. Interested doulas should submit a form on the program’s website.
“Doulas play a critical role in delivering maternal and infant healthcare. From providing physical, emotional, and resource support, they are an invaluable help for Howard County moms and families during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.
Community After Birth, a program in Anne Arundel County, provides free postpartum doula support. It started last year as one of the first such programs in Maryland. Kelly said she hopes counties around the state, including Baltimore City, follow the lead of Howard and Anne Arundel counties.
“It’s just going to make this type of service more accessible to families. They’re going to know it exists,” she said. “It’s going to streamline the process of them accessing this support, and so I think it’s going to improve birth outcomes.”
