Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority

Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Doula Training Approval

NJ FamilyCare Approval Packet for Doula Trainings

More about the new process for NJ FamilyCare approval of trainings

NJMIHIA, as the coordinating body for the state’s doula work, worked with NJ Department of Human Services (NJDHS) and NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) to develop this process to expand the number of doulas eligible to provide NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) doula services.

This process standardizes the minimum requirements and process to be an Approved Training for enrollment as a NJ FamilyCare Community Doula.

If approved, your organization’s training will be added to the list of NJ FamilyCare–approved doula trainings

Trained doulas who are practicing generally in the state of NJ (e.g., provide care to non-NJ FamilyCare clients, receive non-NJ FamilyCare reimbursement) do not need to receive education from a NJ FamilyCare Approved Training.

We invite organizations to seek NJ FamilyCare approval for your doula training!

NJ FamilyCare is NJ’s Medicaid and CHIP insurance program that covers approximately 2 million New Jerseyans and provides care for 30,000 births annually.

Are you a doula training organization that wants your trained doulas to be able to serve NJ’s Medicaid clients? If yes, please seek approval of your doula training by NJ FamilyCare so that your trained doulas can be eligible to enroll as a NJ FamilyCare community doula.

Instructions on HOW to submit an Approval Packet [pdf]

A completed Approval packet must have the following components:

  1. NJ FamilyCare Rubric Tool (Parts 1-3)
  2. Syllabus
  3. Single-page documentation
  4. Acknowledgement Form

Download and complete the Approval Packet template [docx].

View an example [pdf] of a completed Approval Packet, see NJMIHIA’s DRAFT submission for its Community-Based Doula Training.

NJMIHIA offers technical assistance in English and in Spanish to support doula training organizations in preparing their submissions.
Schedule a prep call with NJMIHIA’s doula staff

All complete Approval Packets submitted to NJMIHIA by January 9th will be reviewed promptly as NJ DHS and NJ DOH aims to post the first approved list under this new process in February 2026. The state will provide an update on the approval frequency at NJMIHIA’s April 9, 2026, Town Hall.
Find out more about the Town Halls

See the full FAQ document [pdf].

If this document does not address your questions, please email doula@njmihia.gov  with the subject line: “NJ FamilyCare Approval Packet TA”; or schedule a time to meet with our doula team by clicking on this link: Calendly.

We can offer support in English and Spanish.

  • In 2021, New Jersey became the third state in the nation to offer statewide Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) coverage for doula services.
  • The NJ FamilyCare doula benefit is a key part of NurtureNJ, a statewide initiative to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable place in the nation to deliver and raise a baby.
  • NJ FamilyCare’s community doulas are defined as individuals who have competencies not only in core doula work, but also in accessing NJ’s community-based resources and providing culturally responsive care. New Jersey acknowledges that community doulas are best positioned to meet the needs of NJ FamilyCare populations throughout pregnancy into the postpartum period.
  • NJMIHIA serves as the coordinating body for the state’s doula initiatives and policy. NJDHS is the agency in charge of the NJ FamilyCare community doula benefit. NJDOH is the agency leading the NJ Doula Learning Collaborative.