City Doula Program Focusing On 53206
Program is an effort to reduce infant mortality rates.
![Former Mayor Tom Barrett addresses doulas of color and the public in April 2019, when the legislation to fund doula positions to serve 100 mothers in the 53206 ZIP code originally passed. File photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz/NNS.](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/47961343357_6bb340a16e_k-1024x681.jpg)
Former Mayor Tom Barrett addresses doulas of color and the public in April 2019, when the legislation to fund doula positions to serve 100 mothers in the 53206 ZIP code originally passed. File photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz/NNS.
The City of Milwaukee’s Birth Outcomes Made Better Doula Program will be zeroing in on the 53206 ZIP code in an effort to reduce infant mortality.
Erica Olivier, maternal and child health director with the Milwaukee Health Department, said the infant mortality rates for the ZIP code were among the highest in the city over the last five years.
Focusing on 53206 means addressing the root causes behind the higher rates. Leading factors for infant mortality in the area include the lack of access to quality health care, unhealthy behaviors and poverty, she said.
“These are people that are wonderful and loving and want to have nothing but healthy families and to be successful,” Olivier said. “They’re not afforded the same access to all the things that do make other areas more successful.”
Officials hope to serve 50 mothers from the 53206 area, and the initiative is being funded through a $52,000 grant from the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Service.
The 53206 ZIP code is situated on the North Side of the city and includes the Sherman Park and Amani neighborhoods.
A doula is meant to support young mothers and their families throughout the pregnancy, offering guidance, resources and helping to create a delivery plan for young mothers.
Although they do not provide clinical support, they guide women through pregnancy and provide advice in these areas.
Miles said the concept for doula work comes from community birthing, where women in an area would support each other during the pregnancy. The idea is to rekindle relationships with mothers in the same way to help increase healthy birthing patterns.
“Traditionally we gave birth at home,” Miles said. “People who live in your community, like whether it was your sister-in-law, whether it was your neighbor, whether it was your aunt, these people came to your home and provided that support to you. We’re trying to bring that back.”
“We’re looking for people that are ideally grassroots, that have been living in Milwaukee, that live and breathe this community, that probably had babies themselves, that are people of color,” Olivier said. “That’s really whittling down the pool from if you just have an application up on Indeed.”
Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, chairwoman of the Public Safety and Health Committee for the Milwaukee Common Council, said she was excited to see the program gaining steam. During her time on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, Dimitrijevic helped author the program.
As most of the city health department’s resources have been dedicated to COVID-19, she hopes to see more programs to address underlying issues.
“It’s time for us to get off the ropes a bit,” Dimitrijevic said.
How to get involved
To enroll in the program, visit the BOMB Doula Program website or call 414-286-8620. On the website, you’ll find the Home Visitation Program Referral Form, which you can fill out and submit to MCHHVRef@milwaukee.gov
Doula program puts focus on 53206 ZIP code in effort to reduce infant mortality was originally published by the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
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