RESOLUTION NO. 230200

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Sponsor:  Councilmember Melissa Robinson

RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to develop a Citywide Doula Initiative and report back to the Council in 45 days. 

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WHEREAS, Doulas provide physical and emotional support during pregnancy and childbirth, which helps lower the risk of complications during childbirth for the parent and the infant; and

WHEREAS, Studies show that doulas can reduce preterm births and low birthweights, which are the leading causes of infant mortality and rates of cesarean birth and medical pain management also improve with doula support; and

WHEREAS, the plan will aim to train doulas and reach a defined number of families annually; and

WHEREAS, families who enroll in the program should receive doula support both at home, in community settings and/or in the clinical setting, with three prenatal visits, support during labor and delivery, and four postpartum visits; and

WHEREAS, clients who give birth at home should receive the same number of visits. The program should include screening and referrals for family needs and stressors, such as food insecurity, transportation barrier, housing insecurity and other social determinates of health; and

WHEREAS, the model of care should be consistent across the city, and uniform data should be collected for a rigorous evaluation of the doula services provided through this initiative.

The Citywide Doula Initiative aims to focus services in three main categories:

•                     Providing equitable care - Doulas should not be limited to but target eligible residents where the greatest episodes of infant and maternal mortality exist as identified by the Health Commission and the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Board. Priority will be given to people who are income-eligible for Medicaid and/or are giving birth for the first time (or the first time in over 10 years), as well as those who have had a previous traumatic birth experience, have no other labor support, live in a shelter, are in foster care, or have a high-risk medical condition.

•                     Expanding the doula workforce - To increase capacity, The Kansas City Health Department is aiming to train a defined number of community members as doulas annually and provide additional opportunities for professional development. The Health Department will also help uncertified doulas become certified; the report should identify a target goal for how many uncertified doulas are expected to take advantage of this opportunity.

•                     Creating partnerships with hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers - The initiative will strengthen Health Department’s work with hospitals, to create doula-friendly hospital policies and practices and increases provider referrals to doula services. Staff will also collaborate with community-based, governmental, and health care partners to advocate for system-level change; and

WHEREAS, the initiative will integrate community-based doula organizations that serve clients in at-risk neighborhoods around the city - bringing additional funding to expand their services, build the capacity of their doula workforces, and partner with hospitals; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Directing the City Manager to develop a Citywide Doula Initiative and report back to the Council in 45 days.

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