WORKGROUP 2 LEADS: nIA CONDREY AND VERONICA LOWE

Having a birth worker like a doula, lactation specialist, or reproductive justice advocate—can make a world of difference for parents and families. These professionals offer emotional support, guidance, and advocacy from pregnancy through postpartum, helping families feel informed, confident, and cared for every step of the way.

When that support comes from someone who shares your culture or lived experience, it adds another layer of trust and understanding. Representation matters, especially in birth spaces where Black families have too often felt unseen or unheard. Culturally congruent care helps families feel respected, strengthens communication with providers, and leads to better outcomes for parents and babies alike. 

We’re working to grow the number of trained doulas and lactation specialists right here in Frederick County. Our goal is to make sure every Black family has access to the culturally rooted, compassionate care they deserve throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. To make this possible, we’re partnering with social justice–centered and Black-led training providers who share our commitment to equity and community empowerment. Together, we’re building pathways for more local residents to become certified and serve families in their own communities. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming training opportunities, partnerships, and ways to get involved! 

Training more birth workers like doulas and lactation specialists is an important step, but it’s only the beginning. To create lasting impact, we know these professionals need ongoing support, connection, and resources to thrive.

That’s why we’re building a network for Black birth workers in Frederick County. This network will create a community of practice where birth workers can share knowledge, learn from each other, and grow together. It will also offer practical supports, such as guidance for starting a business, navigating Medicaid and private insurance billing, and other tools to sustain their work.

By investing in both training and ongoing support, we ensure that Black birth workers have the resources, confidence, and community they need to provide high-quality, culturally congruent care, helping Black families feel seen, respected, and empowered throughout the birth journey. 

We want to identify clear, meaningful metrics to track the impact of increased supports for Black birth workers and the families they serve. Real change takes time, but measuring progress helps us understand what’s working, where improvements are needed, and how to make care more equitable and effective.

Using both quantitative data (numbers, trends, and outcomes) and qualitative insights (personal stories and experiences) allows us to see not just the results, but the people behind the numbers. This approach ensures that every story is heard and informs continuous quality improvement, helping us refine programs, strengthen supports, and create culturally responsive care that truly meets the needs of Black families throughout the birth journey.