ICYMI: New Jersey Expands NJ FamilyCare-Approved Doula Trainings to 29 Programs

Updated list adds 19 trainings, creating more pathways for doulas to serve NJ FamilyCare families

TRENTON, NJ (October 8, 2026) - New Jersey has expanded its list of NJ FamilyCare-approved doula trainings to 29, making it possible for more doulas to serve NJ FamilyCare families and helping advance equitable access to doula care.

NJ FamilyCare, the state's Medicaid and CHIP health insurance program, offers doula care as a maternity benefit for its members. It covers about 30,000 New Jersey births each year and provides coverage for doula services. The new list has a total of 29 approved trainings, including most of those that were on the previous list. The list includes New Jersey-based, national, and international doula trainings.

New Jersey has established transparent minimum standards and a standardized review process to approve doula trainings that meet NJ FamilyCare's doula training requirements. The New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (NJMIHIA) conducts outreach and provides technical assistance to help training organizations complete the approval packet with detailed information about their curricula. NJMIHIA's own doula training curriculum underwent the same review process. The New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) share responsibility for reviewing and approving trainings, and NJDHS administers NJ FamilyCare at the state level.

"Expanding the approved training list creates more pathways for doulas to serve NJ FamilyCare families," said Lisa Asare, President and CEO of NJMIHIA. "Strengthening the doula workforce can help reduce barriers to culturally responsive care and advance more equitable outcomes for mothers and babies. This progress reflects the collaboration of our state partners and training organizations."

Community doulas provide culturally responsive social and emotional support during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and the postpartum period. Research links doula support with lower cesarean birth rates and fewer obstetric interventions. Expanding access to this support is part of New Jersey's work to advance equitable maternal and infant health outcomes.

"New Jersey's growing doula workforce plays an important role in ensuring every family feels supported, heard, and cared for throughout pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. These trainings give doulas the tools to grow their practice, including the certification they need to bill Medicaid, so this essential work can also be a sustainable career," said Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington.

Doulas seeking to provide services to NJ FamilyCare members can use the NJ Doula Assistant, an online tool that guides individual doulas through the Fee-for-Service enrollment application.

"New Jersey has been a leader in supporting doulas as Medicaid providers, and this new tool and streamlined process for approving additional doula trainings are important steps toward expanding access to doula care," said Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha. "By making it easier for training organizations to become NJ FamilyCare-approved, more trained doulas can qualify to enroll as community doulas and serve families. We are grateful to every agency who continues to help make New Jersey a safer and more equitable place to deliver and raise a baby."

NJMIHIA is hosting a webinar about the tool on October 15. For more information, please register here.

The NJ FamilyCare approved list identifies trainings that meet the NJ FamilyCare standards for Medicaid reimbursement of doula services. It does not determine whether a doula may practice generally in New Jersey. Other insurance programs may have different requirements for doulas to enroll as authorize providers.

Organizations interested in seeking NJ FamilyCare approval to add additional trainings may submit an approval packet through NJMIHIA for consideration. NJMIHIA offers technical assistance in English and Spanish to organizations preparing submissions.

NJMIHIA shared the update following its October 8th Doula Town Hall, hosted with NJDHS and NJDOH. The gathering marked the fourth event in the State's inaugural year of quarterly Doula Town Halls, connecting doulas and birth workers with information, resources, and State partners. The series will continue in 2027, with dates to be announced soon.

NJ FamilyCare-Approved Doula Trainings

1. Active Birth Institute Certified Professional Labor Doula (CPLD) and Certified Postpartum Doula (CPPD)
2. AMANI Birth Certified Doula
3. AMAR Community Doula Program
4. Ancient Song Certified Community-Based Full Spectrum Doula (CFSD)
5. Birth Arts International Doula Certification Program
6. BirthPro Certified Full Spectrum Doula
7. BirthWorks Certified Birth Doula - CBD (BWI)
8. CAPPA Certified Labor Doula
9. CDOSJ CAPPA Certified Community Doula (CCD)
10. Certified AAVE Community Based Doula
11. Certified AAVE Teen4Teen Doula
12. Certified Full Spectrum Doula - CFSD (BADT)
13. Children's Futures Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Childbirth Educator, Reproductive Health Peer Counselor, Labor & Postpartum Doula
14. CoCoLife Foundation Community Doula Certification
15. Doula Impact Strategies LLC DONA Certified Birth Doula CD(DONA)
16. HealthConnect One Community Based Doula Training
17. Healthy Beginnings Community Perinatal Health Associate (CPHA)
18. International Doula Institute Certified Birth Doula CD
19. Maha Cares Community-Based Doula Training Program
20. Mama Glow Certified Level 1 Doula
21. National Black Doulas Association Certified Birth Doula
22. Newmom.me Certified Labor and Birth Doula
23. NJMIHIA Community-Based Doula Training
24. Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ HealthConnect One Certified Community-Based Doula Training
25. The Cooperative Doula Impacts Strategies, LLC Community-Based Doula Training
26. The Rose Center Birth and Postpartum Certified Doula
27. Uzazi Village Certified Full Spectrum Doula
28. Womb Ish Certified Perinatal Doula
29. Your Doula Journey LLC Certified Labor Doula

About the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority

The New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority is dedicated to creating a New Jersey where all mothers and babies flourish. NJMIHIA works across sectors and alongside communities to advance equitable maternal and infant health outcomes, strengthen the perinatal workforce, foster innovation, and build sustainable systems of support for families throughout the state.

About the New Jersey Department of Human Services

The New Jersey Department of Human Services is the state's largest agency, serving about 2.1 million New Jerseyans, or about one of every five state residents and one out of every three children. The Department serves older New Jerseyans, individuals and families with low incomes; people with developmental disabilities, or late-onset disabilities; people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind; parents needing childcare services, child support and/or healthcare for their children; people who are dealing with addiction and mental health issues; and families facing catastrophic medical expenses for their children.

About the New Jersey Department of Health

The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 6,000 employees, the Department serves to protect the public's health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.