SC3BI | Black Maternal Health Project | Mohawk Valley Prenatal & Maternity Support

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The Sister Circle: Black Birth & Breastfeeding Initiative Program (SC3BI) is a program within MVPMS, in collaboration with Hope Chapel AME Zion Church, funded in part by an award from Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield that will provide free access to doula care and breastfeeding support to women of color in the Greater Utica area in hopes of eliminating social barriers to black maternal-child health equity and decrease the maternal-child health disparity among Black/Latin women. The black maternal mortality rate is 3-4 times the rate of white maternal mortality in the U.S. Click Here to download our program brochure.

Doula Training

MVPMS will host a 3-day workshop culturally sensitive training taught by DONA International Certified Doula Trainers. Ten women of color (or more as funding permits), that are passionate about childbirth and breastfeeding will be selected during a rigorous application process, to be trained as Labor (birth) Doulas which includes lactation (breastfeeding counselor) support training as well. After completion of doula training, these women will partake in monthly business mentorship meetings for 6-months and will be paired with local pregnant women of color to cupport them during pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding.