Health Foundation of South Florida Invests More Than $2 Million in Three Initiatives to Address Health Equity in the Region’s Black Communities

 Submitted by Health Foundation of South Florida

The Health Foundation of South Florida announced more than $2 million in funding for two initiatives aimed at addressing Black maternal health inequities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and a community-based peacemaker program in Liberty City and Overtown. The grants were unveiled at the second annual Black Health Summit, which took place earlier this month at Florida Memorial University and drew more than three hundred healthcare, education, philanthropy, and community leaders to discuss the current state of Black health in South Florida.  The Summit aimed to identify actionable solutions and collaborations for addressing longstanding inequities impacting health and well-being for Black residents across the region. The three investments are:

Improving Doula Access and Integration in Miami-Dade

A collaborative of organizations, comprised of Jackson Health System, Southern Birth Justice Network, Metro Mommy Agency, Magnolia Birth House and YWCA South Florida, will receive more than $930,000 to help build the infrastructure needed to incorporate community-based doulas (trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and shortly after childbirth) into the pre-natal, birthing and postpartum process with the goal of reducing Black maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. The initiative will include training Jackson Health System doctors and providers on the doula model of care, creating a coordinated doula referral process, as well as modifying the health system’s policies to allow for the integration doula services. In addition, Jackson Health System will establish a fellowship program to recruit and train 65 doulas, and the YWCA will provide at least 15 local doulas and midwives with assistance and training to help strengthen their businesses.