bridging gaps in maternal health
how bridgeport prospers is supporting a groundbreaking doula and community health worker program
Bridgeport Prospers is committed to transforming maternal and child health by addressing healthcare disparities in our community. Through a groundbreaking training program, developed in partnership with Doulas4CT and the Community Health Workers Association of Connecticut at Gateway Community College, doulas and community health workers will be equipped with the skills needed to provide critical support to birthing individuals and families. This effort builds on Connecticut’s progress in expanding Medicaid coverage for doula services, ensuring more families receive the care and advocacy they deserve.
Why This Matters
Doulas play a crucial role in improving birth outcomes by advocating for and supporting birthing individuals before, during, and after childbirth. Community health workers, on the other hand, serve as vital connectors between hospitals and the communities they serve, ensuring that families receive the care and resources they need. By combining these two roles, the Gateway program is creating a workforce that is not only highly skilled but also deeply connected to the communities they serve.
Research shows that Black and Hispanic patients often experience better health outcomes when treated by providers who share their backgrounds. Yet, these populations remain underrepresented in the healthcare workforce. By training more people from the communities they serve, this program ensures that more families of color have trusted advocates in the delivery room.
A Step Forward for Medicaid Coverage
Connecticut has recently taken a significant step forward by allowing Medicaid to cover doula services. Cynthia Hayes, known as the “Doula Godmother,” highlights the years of advocacy it took to achieve this, emphasizing the importance of not only expanding access to doulas but also ensuring they are fairly compensated and work in supportive environments. This program builds on that progress by providing a structured, professional pathway for those entering the field.
The Bridgeport Connection
Bridgeport Prospers played a key role in identifying the urgent need for stronger maternal health support in the community. Through landscape analyses and listening sessions, we found that many families—especially families of color—were lacking culturally competent maternal health care. As a result, we developed the Bridgeport Baby Bundle, a framework for comprehensive prenatal and postnatal services, including:
- Parent education
- Child development support
- Early language and literacy tools
- Social-emotional learning resources
Through our Bridgeport Baby Bundle initiative, we provide parent education, child development resources, and early literacy tools to strengthen family support. Success stories like Sereader Holly—now a dually trained community health worker/doula at Bridgeport Hospital's Family Bridge home visiting program—highlight the impact of this work.
Empowering the Next Generation of Maternal Health Advocates
Sereader Holly, after completing her training, secured a position at Bridgeport Hospital as a community health worker with Yale New Haven Health. Having worked in the hospital for 20 years, she now finally feels her voice is being heard—both as a patient advocate and as a staff member. Her personal experiences navigating the healthcare system give her unique insight into the challenges faced by the community, making her an invaluable resource for patients.
Changing Systems, Not Just Services
The impact of this program extends beyond training individuals—it is part of a larger effort to transform healthcare systems. As Hayes and program co-designer Milagrosa Seguinot emphasize, improving maternal health requires not only increasing the number of doulas but also creating culturally competent, inclusive environments where families feel heard and respected. This program is not just about training: it’s about transforming healthcare to be more inclusive and responsive.
At Bridgeport Prospers, we believe that systemic change starts with community-led solutions. By supporting initiatives like this, we are working to ensure that every birthing person in Bridgeport—and across Connecticut—has access to the care, support, and advocacy they need to thrive.
Join the Movement
Interested in learning more about Bridgeport Prospers' maternal health initiatives? Follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, and stay engaged as we continue working toward a healthier future for all families in our community.