Reflect & Renew

Reflect & Renew Impact Report JUNE 2019 - JUNE 2024

Equips families to have healthy births with dignity and reduce maternal health disparities.

IMPACT REPORT

table of contents

IMPACT REPORT

Mission, Vision, & Values Mission The Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative equips families to have healthy births with dignity and reduce maternal health disparities—creating a healthier, more equitable community for all.

Vision At Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative, we envision a world in which all people are centered and respected before, during and after pregnancy.

PAGE 2

Values Empowerment + Advocacy Community Compassion Education

IMPACT REPORT

Reflecting on five years of birth equity:

A Letter from the Executive Director I am delighted to pause and reflect together over the past 5 years of work done to support birthing people in Tulsa and beyond in this report. Who knew my desire to ensure that expecting teens had doula support would grow to be an organization that continues to fight to ensure that all birthing people can create a family with dignity.

I want to thank LaBrisa Williams for having the foresight to dream bigger by founding what is now known as the Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative. The past 5 years have been a remarkable journey marked by significant achievements, growth, and resilience. TBEI was one of the few doula programs across the nation that quickly pivoted to continue support during COVID. TBEI has been able to sustain a full time doula workforce with benefits and create the only doula progression work program in the country. We have seen promising data that shows that Black women served by TBEI doulas are roughly half as likely to experience a preterm birth than the state's average. The reputation of TBEI is known both far and near and recognized for its groundbreaking community work as a member of the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative.

While we have seen many strides and wins in the work, we continue to see Black and Native women suffer from the effects of systemic racism in health care and beyond in this country. This is the angst that keeps me up at night and powers our team to push on to build a renewed future for Black and Native women. We will work to ensure that more women experience the JOY that every birthing person deserves, creating a future for families to thrive and grow!

We encourage you to join us on this journey by staying engaged with us on our social media channels or by making a financial contribution that will support a birthing family. Thank you for your continued support!

-Omare Jimmerson, MPH

WE WILL WORK TO ENSURE THAT MORE WOMEN EXPERIENCE THE JOY THAT EVERY BIRTHING PERSON DESERVES, CREATING A FUTURE FOR FAMILIES TO THRIVE AND GROW! PAGE 3

IMPACT REPORT

Birth Equity By the Numbers Despite increasing national and local attention and efforts to address the maternal health crisis, severe disparities remain between women of color, particularly Black women, and their white counterparts for outcomes and treatment in birth.

Nationally, collegeeducated Black women and birthing people have a pregnancyrelated mortality

Black Women

3.2X

rate 5X

pregnancy-related mortality rate as white women

Native Women

2.8x

pregnancy-related mortality rate as white women

that of white birthing people

In OK, there were 67.5 maternal deaths for Black women and 59.8 maternal deaths for Native women per 100K live births compared to 21.2 for white women, reported by the Maternal Mortality Review Committee in 2023.

Cesarean Rate for TBEI-Supported clients

Cesarean Rate for Tulsa County Black Women

32%

36%

Preterm Birth Rate

Low-Birth Weight

Black Women Supported by TBEI

Black Women Supported by TBEI

Black Women in Tulsa Co.

Black Women in Tulsa Co.

White Women in Tulsa Co.

White Women in Tulsa Co. 0.0

PAGE 4

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

IMPACT REPORT

To address these disparities and their root causes, TBEI has programs that serve individuals, communities, and systems.

PAGE 5

IMPACT REPORT

Community-Based Doula SErvices From just 18 clients in FY2020 to 276 clients in FY2024, The CommunityBased Doula Program is TBEI’s cornerstone. As a home visitation program, services begin early in pregnancy and continue through one-year postpartum, ending with a first birthday party celebration.

The effectiveness of the program emerges out of the trusting relationship between the community-based doula and the participant, the duration of the relationship, and the continuous presence of the doula during labor and birth.

Snapshot of our doula program

9,700+

345

5,198

Client Encounters

Supported Births

In-Person Visits

A message from a client “My doula is amazing and so is this program. I had no idea what a doula was and it was the best choice. I feel so much more empowered and knowledgeable as a first time mom and a mom who has no family here. She has become that. I love that she will be there with me for my C-section and even offered to help me meal prep during one of our visits. I don’t feel alone in the process and am much more calm and confident.”

PAGE 6

IMPACT REPORT

96%

OF CLIENTS STRONGLY RECOMMEND TBEI DOULA SERVICES TO FRIENDS OR FAMILY

18

60

97

187

276

in 2023

in 2024

clients

clients

clients

in 2020

in 2021

in 2022

clients

clients

“Me gusta por que he aprendido de muchos recursos comunitarios y tambien de eventos comunitarios, mi doula me escucha y me entiende, tengo 5 hijos y este ultimo embarazo estuve acompanada por primera vez de una doula fue muy diferentes y positivo gracias a la Guia de mi doula.”

PAGE 7

IMPACT REPORT

"I did not have to do it alone, even though I am that type of person that does everything by themselves with no help, I wanted to have someone for this."

"My body was not exactly ready to bring my child into the world but the doctors recommended medically induced labor for me and my son's safety. I had three full days of labor, three days in the hospital, three days in bed. It felt like everything that I did not want happened but she was there to encourage me and keep me going. She was there to help me, I did not have to do it alone, even though I am that type of person that does everything by themselves with no help, I wanted to have someone for this."

"I think that my experience would have been completely different if I did not have a doula. The sad thing is the numbers that Black women face when in labor and having complications or even dying during childbirth are scary. I think that I could have been a statistic, part of the statistics, because of all that I faced in the hospital. There were decisions that I needed to make which I did not necessarily know, but having an advocate helped me with that. She would slow down and explain all the information that was coming from the doctors and she would explain it in more simple terms. I think that I could have been a statistic, that is the hard part or I could have been extremely overwhelmed throughout the whole pregnancy, labor, delivery and even after."

PAGE 8

IMPACT REPORT

"In the beginning, my doula was more like an educator, our weekly visits were more educational as this is my first baby, I did not know much, I had a lot of questions. After I had my baby, our relationship grew to a friendship."

"I would recommend pregnant women to come to TBEI, because it is actually helpful, it makes an impact and it takes away so much stress, because that time, even though it is beautiful, it can be stressful, from different decisions you have to make. So, I would recommend a doula because you do not have to know everything and you can actually chill out in your pregnancy."

PAGE 9

IMPACT REPORT

Community-Based Doula Training Trained and Certified Doulas by Fiscal Year Trained

Spring 2020: Shifted to Virtual Training

July 2022: Hired Training Coordinator; Began Tulsa Tech Partnership

July 2023: Hired Training Manager

May 2024: Hired Certification Coordinator - Tulsa Service Year

Certified*

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

*Cumulative total; certification typically takes up to 6 months.

Traditional doula Training 25 to 30 contact hours Teaches skills needed to provide doula care Typically costs $500 - $1200

PAGE 10

tbei’s CommunityBased Training 60+ contact hours Teaches skills needed to provide doula care Covers many additional skills such as providing culturallyconcordant care and communication Provided at no-cost

Community Doula Summit In 2023, TBEI launched our annual Community Doula Summit to bring together trained doulas for community building and continuing education. Over 2 years, we brought in community experts to provide 9 continuing education credits across topics from building a business to lactation support.

62

2023 Doula Summit Attendees

69

2024 Doula Summit Attendees

Renew: In 2024, TBEI and SisterWeb developed the Blossoming Birth community-based doula training curriculum model, which is module-based and can be adapted to suit different community needs. The training will be piloted in Fall 2024 in Tulsa and San Francisco; the finalized training will allow for expansion across Oklahoma.

“I love love loveeeee the sense of community, the sense of sisterhood!”

“TBEI Doula training was holistically transformative for me. I appreciated how transferrable the doula skills and practices were to enhancing my own interpersonal life. Learning how to trust and be trusted, support and be supported, and educate while being educated was such a full-bodied & well-rounded experience.”

IMPACT REPORT

PAGE 11

IMPACT REPORT

Queens Village Reflect: Modeled after the successful program in Cincinnati, Ohio, Queens Village is a supportive community of powerful Black women who come together to relax, repower and take care of themselves and each other.

Since launching in Tulsa in 2021, Queens Village has connected over 200 Black women and hosted 36 total events.

In 2024, we hosted our first annual Queens Village Baby Shower as part of Black Maternal Health Week. We served over 40 women and gave essential resources including diapers, wipes, diaper bags, pack and plays, and a car seat!

“As a black pregnant woman, I felt the love and the inclusivity. All the women made this event special.”

PAGE 12

IMPACT REPORT

SINCE THE INCEPTION OF QUEENS VILLAGE TULSA, WE HAVE ACHIEVED THE FOLLOWING MILESTONES Established a Community Advisory Board (CAB): Comprising 12 dedicated Black women from the community.

Hosted 36 Events: Featuring the Sugar Jar Series that focused on healing and sisterhood for Black women in Tulsa.

Developed Leadership Opportunities: Empowered CAB members to curate events and engage directly with community members and partners.

Supported 12 Black-Owned Businesses: Actively promoted and collaborated with local Black entrepreneurs.

Forged Over 20 Community Partnerships: Built strong alliances to enhance our impact.

Reached Nearly 800 Black Women: Engaged with a significant number of Black women across the Tulsa Metro area through events and social platforms.

renew In 2025, Queens Village will launch the first QV Corner at the North Tulsa Health Department, which will serve over 5,000 Black women of childbearing age.

100% OF BLACK GIRL HIKE PARTICIPANTS FELT THAT THE EVENT WAS WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE

Community Advisory Board members will have additional opportunities to cultivate community through Village Aunties.

PAGE 13

IMPACT REPORT

“The organizers of Queen Village did an excellent job of creating a supportive atmosphere with culturally sensitive prenatal care and discussions on maternal health disparities. They gave access to resources like doula services and lactation consultants . We focused on body positivity and self-care which was inspiring. I particularly enjoyed the networking opportunities with other expecting mothers from similar backgrounds. The incorporation of cultural celebration through music, dance, and cuisine added an extra layer of connection and community.

Overall, it was a well put together event that left me feeling supported, informed, and empowered on my pregnancy journey.”

PAGE 14

IMPACT REPORT

Hospital Quality Improvement Doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare programs play a vital, powerful role in ensuring equitable health outcomes for all Tulsans. Through partnerships with Ariadne Labs and OBCOAP, TBEI has worked to implement evidence-based solutions in our local healthcare systems.

In partnership with Ariadne Labs, TBEI helped launch and sustain TeamBirth, a patient-centered care model, at Hillcrest Medical Center and OSU Medical Center, where together over 4000 babies are born annually. This partnership also reached early-career providers at TCC Nursing School and OSU Residency program to introduce TeamBirth into lectures and clinical simulations. With the OBCOAP data program, TBEI and partners can analyze and take action on maternal and infant health outcomes at Hillcrest and OSU. This partnership and data sharing allows TBEI to work with clinicians to identify and tailor interventions to their unique populations.

Educated 500+ Providers and Students

IMPACT REPORT

"

The entire experience was truly a team effort and went smoothly start to finish. They are the true model in my opinion. The doctors and nurses were the best hands down. I was allowed to stay in the room with the client while she received her epidural which is unheard of, but they kept the client's wishes in mind.

- LAchelle TBEI Doula

PAGE 16

IMPACT REPORT

Healthcare Providers Reached by Fiscal Year 2022

2023

2024 0

100

200

Reached Through Conferences

FY 2022 : 162 FY 2023 : 78 FY 2024 : 285

300 Reached Directly

FY 2022 : 99 FY 2023 : 70 FY 2024 : 35

400

500

600

healthcare students

FY 2022 : 0 FY 2023 : 90 FY 2024 : 220

Renew: TBEI will continue to share the importance of learning the history of racism in medicine, and will continue to work with providers to understand their role in birth equity.

“I have been so impressed with everyone on my team! Thank you for making my choices clear and respecting and affirming the ones we’ve made.”

PAGE 17

IMPACT REPORT

Public Awareness & Community Engagement 15,000+ diapers distributed to community and clients through Emergency Infant Services partnership

198,331 people reached through social media ad campaigns

4,701 followers on social media 10+ Black Maternal Health Week events hosted

340+ participants in BMHW 2024

150+ tabling and community events

PAGE 18

IMPACT REPORT

Thank you to our partners in birth equity!

PAGE 19

IMPACT REPORT

Thank you to our funders who make this work possible!

PAGE 20

TULSA BIRTH EQUITY INITIATIVE | PAGE 19

IMPACT REPORT

H EQU T R I ITY B O T TO DONA N T CA

E

$20 provides a postpartum kit $40 provides a welcome home baby kit $50 covers all training materials for one Community-Based Doula (CBD) trainee $80 provides childcare for Doula training to remove barriers to further education $400 provides stipends to a CBD trainee for an entire cohort to remove barriers getting to class $1,000 provides everything needed for one person to complete CBD training

S

DONATION GUIDE

T EN

C R OMM U O Y W ITM E N E R

PAGE 21

IMPACT REPORT

RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO BIRTH EQUITY To launch the renewed strategic plan TBEI partnered with Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma and held focus groups to understand the needs of the community, trained doulas, and staff.

These bold conversations led to our updated goals and strategies.

We are setting universal goals that we want all racial and ethnic groups in our communities to meet. We are approaching our goals with an equity lens, that will give everyone in our community the same opportunity to live and thrive. Targeted interventions will be implemented to effectively address specific needs in populations that are disproportionately impacted in the area of maternal and child health.

PAGE 22

SAL GOA R E V I LS N U Eliminate maternal and infant health disparities in Oklahoma.

Ensure all Oklahomans have clear and accessible options to engage with a movement for equitable and joyful birthing experiences.

Increase access to Community Birth Workers for women in Oklahoma, so that they feel empowered to advocate for the birthing experience that brings them and their family joy.

Spark a collaborative effort to support and hold the health care system accountable to serving all their birthing clients equitably by valuing the expertise of community members and community organizations.

IMPACT REPORT

STRATEGIC GOALS IN 5 YEARS Increase the number of Black birthing people utilizing culturally competent doula services to 10%.

Increase the number of Certified Nurse Midwives practicing in Tulsa that mirror the population to at least 2.

IN 10 YEARS Decrease Black infant mortality rate in Tulsa County by 50%.

Decrease the rate of preterm births amongst Black birthing people in Oklahoma from 16.3% to 11.0%.

Decrease the rate of low birth weight amongst Black birthing people in Oklahoma from 15.6% to 7.9%.

STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES Train 150 community-based doulas across the state targeting at least 6 maternal health dessert communities.

Support Medicaid reimbursement services for at least 40% of TBEI certified doulas.

Facilitate at least 2 community surveys annually with at least 100 participants each to gather feedback on hospital birthing experiences.

Collaborate with at least one hospital partner to improve community scorecards by providing training and evaluation for staff in patient-centered care, communication, and cultural competency.

Support at least 2 culturally congruent Certified Nurse Midwives in their schooling process on the road to certification.

Replicate best practices so that at least 3 hospitals have a Smooth Transitions plan for women in need of transferred care from a birthing center.

Partner with at least 2 birthing centers to increase access for birthing people on Medicaid.

PAGE 23

IMPACT REPORT

Spring 2019 Omare brings a doula training program to Tulsa to support students in Strong Tomorrows.

2019

september 2020 fall 2019 Community-Based Doula Program is housed at YMCA.

2020

2019 2019

The CommunityBased Doula Program becomes Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative (TBEI).

2019

2021

august 2019

november 2019

april 2021

The first cohort of doulas graduates.

Two doulas are hired as the first full-time employees. LaBrisa Williams is hired to manage the program.

TBEI launches the Hospital Quality Improvement Program and TeamBirth at Hillcrest and OSU.

OUr story Highlights & Awards Doula services and trainings continued during COVID Started Doula Career Progression Program Helped influence Doula Medicaid Reimbursement Policy Recognized as a doula certifying body through OHCA Started Annual Doula Summit in 2023 Participated in the 2023 Time Use Study through the Doula Data Consortium Presented at LadyCharts in 2021 & 2023 2023 Champions of Health Finalist

PAGE 24

Launched new data collection system in 2023 Hosted Safer Childbirth Cities National Site Visit in February 2024 Launched Doula Recertification QV Glowing and Growing Award in 2024 Began NestU education services for clients Presented and Postered at AMCHP 2024 Presented and Postered at BMMA in September 2024 Diversified funding streams with 7 new funders

IMPACT REPORT

july 2022

TBEI hires a Training Coordinator and begins a partnership with Tulsa Tech.

2022

september 2022 Omare Jimmerson begins working at TBEI as Exectuive Director.

TBEI expands doula services to include Latine population.

2023

2022 2022

december 2023

2023

august 2022

april 2023

Part-time Doula Hub launches.

TBEI reintroduces Queens Village and hires a QV Coordinator.

2024 Fall 2024

PAGE 25

www.tulsabei.org info@tulsabei.org @tulsabirthequity