HWCLI Hosts New York State’s First WIOA-Sponsored Doula Training, Expanding Long Island’s Maternal Health Workforce – Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI)

HUNTINGTON STATION, NY– The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI), in collaboration with the Suffolk County Department of Labor, and Chanel’s Comforting Doula Care, recently hosted the first Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-sponsored doula training in New York State.
The free, bilingual Birth Doula Training was held from August 7 through August 9 at Northwell South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore. Through WIOA funding provided by the Suffolk County Department of Labor, the program covered the full cost of training for 18 aspiring doulas, helping remove financial barriers to entering the maternal health workforce while creating a new pathway for individuals interested in providing culturally responsive, community-centered birth support.

The initiative represents an innovative intersection of workforce development and maternal health, recognizing doulas as an important and growing part of the healthcare workforce.
“When healthcare providers, workforce development agencies, community organizations, and educators work together, we can remove barriers, create meaningful career pathways, and improve the systems that support families”, said HWCLI President and CEO, Vanessa Baird-Streeter. “By removing financial barriers to training, we are creating opportunities for individuals to enter a meaningful and growing profession while simultaneously strengthening the support available to birthing families on Long Island. We are proud to work alongside the Suffolk County Department of Labor and our partners to build a more accessible, representative, and sustainable maternal health workforce.”
The comprehensive training, led by Chanel’s Comforting Doula Care, provided participants with education and hands-on preparation across the full spectrum of pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. The curriculum included the stages of labor, birth physiology, postpartum care, comfort measures, emotional support, communication, and strategies for providing informational support to diverse families. Participants also received guidance on the professional and business aspects of becoming a doula, helping prepare them to pursue sustainable careers in the field.Upon completion of the program, each WIOA grant recipient committed to completing 50 volunteer hours and supporting at least one family from pregnancy through the postpartum period. Together, the 18 trained doulas have committed to providing a collective 900 hours of volunteer doula care on Northwell South Shore University Hospital’s labor and delivery unit.

Through this volunteer initiative, participating doulas will provide calm, continuous emotional reassurance, hands-on comfort measures, informational support, and collaborative assistance throughout the labor and delivery experience. Their presence will help patients feel more informed, supported, and confident during one of the most significant moments in their lives. Importantly, the program also creates a bridge between training and long-term workforce participation. HWCLI will continue supporting participating doulas as they pursue Medicaid enrollment, helping them navigate opportunities to provide reimbursable doula services and build sustainable careers beyond the volunteer program.
“Becoming a doula should not be limited to those who can afford the cost of training, said Chanel Jones, Birth Doula and Founder of Chanel’s Comforting Doula Care”. “This partnership has opened the door for 18 individuals to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to support families during pregnancy and childbirth. I am proud of these new doulas and excited to see the impact they will have on families throughout our community.”
As maternal health data continue to highlight persistent disparities in pregnancy and birth outcomes, doulas are increasingly recognized for the important role they can play in providing continuous, nonclinical support to pregnant and postpartum individuals. By offering physical comfort, emotional reassurance, education, advocacy, and connection to resources, doulas can help families navigate pregnancy and childbirth while promoting more informed, respectful, and patient-centered care.
This cross-sector collaboration is designed not only to expand access to doula support in the immediate term, but also to establish a sustainable pipeline of trained doulas on Long Island. By connecting workforce development resources with healthcare institutions and community-based maternal health organizations, the initiative creates new opportunities for individuals to enter the workforce while strengthening support for birthing families.
This training is an important step forward for Long Island and for the future of maternal health in our region. The training builds upon HWCLI’s broader commitment to improving maternal and infant health outcomes throughout Long Island and New York State. Through its Maternal Health Program, HWCLI works to advance education, systems change, advocacy, and community-driven solutions that support families before, during, and after pregnancy. Central to this work is a commitment to expanding access to equitable, culturally responsive, and patient-centered care. HWCLI works to elevate the role of doulas and other maternal health professionals, address racial and socioeconomic disparities, and empower families with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their care.
Through collaboration with healthcare providers, community organizations, government partners, and policymakers, HWCLI continues to advocate for comprehensive approaches to maternal health that ensure every birthing person and baby has access to the care, dignity, resources, and support they deserve.
This partnership was made possible through the generous support of the Suffolk County Department of Labor.

About the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island:The Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) is a nonprofit umbrella organization representing health and human service providers across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. HWCLI works to improve the quality of life for Long Islanders through advocacy, direct service programs, coalition-building, and system-wide coordination. For more information on services provided by Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, visit www.hwcli.com, email [email protected], or call 516-483-1110. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram.

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