Create a Doula Apprenticeship Toolkit

  • Progress:  In Progress
  • MHSP Priority Area: Expanding and Diversifying the Maternal Health Workforce
  • Recommendation: Begin work to develop health care apprenticeship opportunities that focus on training underrepresented populations to expand the number of BIPOC midwives, doulas, community health workers, and home visitors to make maternal health care professions and paid training opportunities accessible.
  • Actionable Strategies: Create a Doula Apprenticeship Toolkit
  • Lead: PatientsRWaiting
  • Lead Web Site: https://www.patientsrwaiting.com/

Expanding and Diversifying the Healthcare Workforce Actionable Strategies 

PatientsRWaiting will receive $50,000 to develop a doula apprenticeship toolkit to increase registered doula apprenticeship programs across Pennsylvania. Based in Lancaster, PatientsRWaiting founded the Diversifying Doulas Initiative which has been addressing the birthing needs of people of color since 2021. Building on their experience creating a doula apprenticeship program, they will investigate statewide barriers to and opportunities for creating an apprenticeship, including workforce development barriers and best practices, by engaging key stakeholders and conducting an environmental scan. Once created, the toolkit will be available to organizations interested in implementing a doula apprenticeship program.