Mission Moment: Johnson C. Smith University Birthing Professionals Program

The JCSU Birthing Professionals Program began with the help of a 2021 Women’s Impact Funds grant. The grant paid for the Classroom Program Professional scholarships and the long-overdue upgrade of their website. Regrettably, JCSU just raised its tuition fees, thus increasing scholarship funds needs.

“The BPP seeks to improve maternal and child outcomes of families of color by widening the access to birthing professional training for people of color. Specifically, BPP provides three programs to prepare individuals for accreditation as a Birth Doula, Perinatal Educator, or Lactation Consultant. Upon certification, these professionals are equipped to aid families of color where infant mortality rates are more than double their white counterparts.”

Recently this program partnered with the A.L. Harper Foundation, which in turn partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, for partial sponsorships in support of Johnson C. Smith University’s Birthing Professionals Program. BPP worked with RAO Community Health and Novant Health to set up a registry tracking Birth Doula participants and certificants for medical and public use.  Foundation For The Carolinas also gave them a small grant.

As a result of this program, three graduate students participated in scholarships in the Birth Doula program. Also, two students drove in from High Point and Winston-Salem to attend the Doula program.

This program got a slow start as a result of COVID.  However, now they are seeing classes approaching capacity.  This is due to exposure from graduates and others plus making classes more accessible.  An example would include a Hybrid Lactation program with in- and at-home classes. Birth Doula and Lamaze-Childbirth training are often held on weekends. Attendees are from diverse backgrounds and financial statuses. Each program has its established education status, prerequisites, and prep work.

You can find more information about these programs on Facebook at JCSU HHP DEPT, and on the university website JCSU.edu (now under construction, check for updates).