Accelerating Birth Equity in Wisconsin Through a Community-based Doula Workforce

Awarded in 2025

Updated Nov 12, 2025

At a Glance

The project, Accelerating Birth Equity in Wisconsin Through a Community-based Doula Workforce, led by the Foundation of Black Women’s Wellness, seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes for Black mothers and babies through a strategy that expands and sustains a community-based doula workforce. By providing culturally aligned perinatal care and collaborating with health system teams and community health workers, the initiative seeks to improve birth outcomes, reduce complications and promote equitable access to trusted, high-quality care. Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor, Department of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics & Gynecology, UW–Madison, serves as the academic partner.

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Community Impact Grant

Awarded in 2025

The project, Bridging Gaps in Perinatal Care: A First Breath Pilot Addressing Substance Use and Mental Health, led by the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, is expanding the statewide First Breath program to better support the mental health of pregnant and postpartum people working to reduce or quit substance use. Guided by input from people with lived experience, the initiative introduces enhanced mental health supports, including improved screening tools, educational text messages and additional check-ins with trained health educators. By integrating mental health care into existing perinatal services, the project aims to increase engagement, improve health outcomes and reduce gaps in care for families across Wisconsin. Danielle McCarthy, PhD, professor, UW–Madison Department of Medicine, serves as the academic partner.

Community Impact Grant

Awarded in 2025

The project, Reducing the Harms of Incarceration on Individual and Community Health, led by the Nehemiah Community Development Corporation, is launching Justice for a New Day, a community-informed educational initiative designed to reduce the harmful impacts of incarceration on individual and community health. Developed with leadership from people who have experienced incarceration, the course will educate health care professionals, social workers, educators, policymakers and advocates on how incarceration contributes to poor health outcomes and equip them to respond with empathy and systemic change. Building on Nehemiah’s successful Black History for a New Day model, this project aims to inspire cross-sector collaboration and create a blueprint for more equitable, just and healthy communities. Dan Grupe, PhD, research assistant professor, Center for Healthy Minds, UW–Madison, serves as the academic partner.