Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Doula Care is Available for NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) Members
Doula care is a valuable maternity benefit available to NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) members starting from January 1, 2021. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to expecting mothers throughout their pregnancy journey.
Doula services offered under NJ FamilyCare are person-centered, community-based, and culturally competent. These services are designed to support the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of Medicaid members, ensuring that care is respectful and responsive to the needs of all communities.
In addition to providing direct services, doulas assist members in accessing community-based resources, which helps improve overall health outcomes for mothers and their babies.
Doula care is a valuable maternity benefit available to NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) members starting from January 1, 2021. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to expecting mothers throughout their pregnancy journey.
Doula services offered under NJ FamilyCare are person-centered, community-based, and culturally competent. These services are designed to support the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of Medicaid members, ensuring that care is respectful and responsive to the needs of all communities.
In addition to providing direct services, doulas assist members in accessing community-based resources, which helps improve overall health outcomes for mothers and their babies.
Are you or someone you know expecting a baby?
Connect with a community doula today and experience the support you deserve.
The Role of Community Doulas
Community doulas are trained professionals who provide physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth.
A community doula is trusted member of the community they serve, sharing culture and language with their clients and their families. They are specialty trained as NJ FamilyCare doula providers and provide more comprehensive services and referrals during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Changing Lives, One Birth at a Time
Multiple studies show that doula care can:
- Improve maternal and infant health outcomes
- Reduce pre-term births
- Lower rates of low-birth-weight infants
- Lower rates of cesarean sections
- Increase rates of breastfeeding
By amplifying birthing individuals’ voices and listening to their needs, community doulas have improved birth outcomes for BIPOC birthing individuals. They are not just supporting births—they are building healthier, more empowered communities.
Standing Against Systemic Challenges
While community doulas cannot eliminate individual and institutional racism in the medical system, which is a root cause of poor outcomes for birthing individuals and their infants, they can help improve the experience of health care for these families. Doulas who understand the physical, social, and emotional impacts of racism can provide much-needed support to their BIPOC clients, and above all, act as their advocates while navigating systems of care.
Interested in Becoming a Community Doula?
Are you Passionate about maternal health and supporting your community? Learn how you can become a community doula. Receive training and join a network of dedicated professionals making a significant impact on maternal and infant health outcomes.
Contact Information
Doulas are encouraged to reach out to the Doula Guides for individual support and questions. Doula Guides are staff members dedicated to helping doula providers enroll and participate in NJ FamilyCare.
Email: doula.fhs@doh.nj.gov
Phone: 609-610-9511