Annual Impact Report 2023

INFO@URBANPERINATAL.ORG

215 COTTAGE STREET PAWTUCKET, RI 02860 401-229-9225

WWW.URBANPERINATAL.ORG WWW.PERINATALEQUITYINRI.COM

2021-2023

ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

OUR DIRECTOR

In 2015, I made a decision that would transform my life. An extroverted equity-seeking Mom of five was adventuring to Brooklyn, New York to become trained as a community-based doula. It was always my goal to be just the stone that caused the ripple. “If I can reach just one person, that is more than enough.” This was the mindset in my beginning journey of reproductive justice.

In the years that followed fighting Black Maternal Health, I would give myself the mantra, “There is an invisible army behind me, I just have to wait for them to come.” This kept me going when it seemed there were no solutions to build the doula workforce, no safe spaces for expecting and expanding Black and BIPOC families, no childbirth education in the community, or only out-ofpocket unattainable private expenses and ZERO Black Midwives.

The work though necessary was unrelenting, demanding, and crushing. The personal sacrifices were guilt-riddled and humanity’s hope was all I could pray for in the night skies or breaking dawns. It was during this time the encouragement from private messages, phone calls, and evidence of hopefulness through my work was changing people’s decisions and their lives. The work was not in vain, my community was shifting, getting itself positioned for change, and a future of equity.

The sad shared and shaped experiences of poor Black Maternal health outcomes are still prevalent some 20+ years later. The difference is now we have a Black and BIPOC perinatal safe space in Rhode Island intentionally designed to address perinatal inequities, injustice, and inhumanities. The smile that spreads from ear to ear when I hear the words, “OOOOOKAAAYYY, YYYYAAASSS” from our pregnant population when describing who we are and what we do. The elated reverence on the faces of our families when they come in,” I wish I knew about this sooner,” seems to be a classic line. After only a year we are now hearing, “My provider/friend/coworker told me about this place.”

In 2022, when I retired as a Community Doula, I remember thinking can I do more? Do I have more to give to this community after all they have poured into me? Our relationship has always been reciprocal yet by human design a quick paralysis of fear overcame me. A deep breath and into the face of that fear I declared, “Yes, we have more to give and receive.” In the role of Founding Executive Director, I am humbly grateful and honored to participate in perinatal equity in RI.

IN GRATITUDE, QUATIA “Q” OSORIO

OUR MISSION The mission of Urban Perinatal Education is to create a space for perinatal equity through three lenses: culturally congruent care and community, supporting equity in care, and building a workforce for change. Our focus is to create a safe space of perinatal care for those adversely affected by intentional, long-standing, systematic, and institutional adverse perinatal health outcomes among the Black and BIPOC communities.

Our mission aligns with the embodiment of authentic restoration of Black and BIPOC health, wellness, and welfare over their reproductive rights, choices, and culture. By creating a space of restorative healing and learning, we are deliberate in our mission to promote health equity and promotion.

OUR VISION Urban Perinatal Education Center will address the perinatal health disparities and health system discrimination and bias experienced by marginalized communities, especially BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). In RI, women of color (WoC) are more likely than white women to have infants with low birth weight and receive delayed or no prenatal care.

Native American, Black, and Hispanic women are also more likely to have preterm births than White and Asian women. Black women had higher rates of C-sections, maternal morbidity, delivery hospitalizations regarding blood transfusions, and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy compared to White women. In 2018, 17.5% of women who identified their race as “Other,” reported postpartum depressive symptoms compared to Non-Hispanic (NH) White women (11.0%). Black children are more likely to die in infancy compared to White, Hispanic, and Asian children. Hispanic, Native American, and Black youth are more likely than White and Asian youth to give birth as teenagers. Since poverty, disparities, and communities of color are concentrated in the core cities, initial efforts are focused on advancing UPEC’s infrastructure, coordination, and workforce development, to provide comprehensive, education, services, and equitable care to these communities.

In response to these pressing disparities, the UPEC initiative will strengthen the capacity of the Rhode Island perinatal workforce in providing educational, culturally and linguistically responsive clinical care and classes, alongside building programs that ensure the safety and health of pregnancies and deliveries within the urban core. A part of the UPEC team’s mission includes training, mentoring, and employing an intersectional and interdisciplinary doula, midwifery, lactation, and community health worker workforce. UPEC focuses on providing evidence-based resources and services to the population vulnerable through lack of resources, education, and services that are culturally responsive, affordable, and accessible.

OUR GOALS CULTURALLY CONGRUENT CARE AND COMMUNITY Representation in healthcare matters and promotes health equity. Research suggests that Black provider-based care for Black families can cut mortality rates.

SUPPORTING EQUITY IN CARE Maternal Health care inequities and disparities remain a symptom of institutional and systematic racism, especially in maternal health.

Postpartum studies suggest that extra support and care are necessary to reduce such poor outcomes.

BUILDING A WORKFORCE FOR CHANGE We know that empowered communities are the drivers for impactful change. It’s not just recruiting an intentionally racial and lingustically diverse workforce; providing race-based equity pay is paramount to establishing justice.

CARING IN COLOR, LLC & OUR NEST,LLC/NUESTRO NIDO, LLC - SUPPORTERS OF THE DOULA REFERRAL HOTLINE

2021

OUR HISTORY

Ideation, Design, Business Advisor, and Creation of Advisory Board Health and Wellness Social Enterprise Greenhouse Accelerator 2021 Community Defined Designed Needs Assessment on Perinatal Equity in RI Initial Capital Campaign Funding at PerinatalEquityInRI.com Farmacy Herbs Annual Herb Fest Building Fundraiser Learning Community: Black Birth Center Tours (EAC Birth Detroit w/ Birth Care and Roots Community Birth Center Blacked Owned/Led Birth Center) 501c3 status approved Local artist Custom Logo Design & Creation End of year almost 1/2 campaign goal achieved ($200,000+) #perinatalequityinri created

2022

OUR HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Capital campaign goal reached Acquisition and Purchase of 215 Cottage Street Rehabilitation and Renovation of 215 Cottage Street Investment in the Certified Perinatal Doula Workforce Development Investment in the Certified Childbirth Educator Workforce Investment in the Certified Lactation Educator Workforce Investment in the Easy Access Clinic Community equity aligned key stakeholder evaluation Contracted several Certified Childbirth Educators ED Participant in UnitedWay miniEDLIC program Opened doors September 13, 2022 Chocolate Milk Cafe - RI Chapter Site Designation National Perinatal Taskforce SafeZone Designation National Perinatal Taskforce SafeSpot Designation JJWay Commonsense Certified Provider Site Designation

Preliminary planning of Easy Access Clinic Preliminary planning for establishment of Community Donor Milk Site

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO CARDIS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR FURNISHINGS, OUR CONTRACTORS, AND OUR PROJECT MANAGER INCLUDING C& M CONSTRUCTION (RENOVATION AND REHABILITATION) AND MELANATED KINGS CONTRACTORS LLC (EXTERIOR PAINT TEAM) AND POPPET INDUSTRIES FOR OUR MERCHANDISE.

2023

OUR WORK

Easy Access Clinic Exploratory Installation Visit February 2023 USBC Organization Member - March 2023 Black Maternal Health Week April 2023 RI Doula Provider Referral Hotline April 2023 Birth Center Equity Fund Convening April 2023 Community Milk Dispensary and Depot Opened May 2023 AMCHP Innovation Replication Project Awardee May 2023 BIPOC Birth Workers Retreat June 2023 Black Maternal Mental Health Summit July 2023 Lactation Celebration World Breastfeeding Week - August 2023 Black Breastfeeding Week Raffle Giveaways - August 2023 Postpartum Support International Conference - September 2023 Fall Birth Worker Convening - November 2023 Newborn Care Specialist Training (PD) Certified Perinatal Doula Professional Development Perinatal Workforce Financial Assistance & T/A Support RI Birth Worker Cooperative T/A Site Location

OUR COMMUNITY Our focus is to build an equitable safe perinatal community for all birthing families. We strive to provide quality programs, workshops, training, events, conferences, and services that meet or exceed community needs and expectations. We must work together to reach our goals, which is why we are always providing educational collaborative opportunities.

In 2023, we hosted several community-aligned and collaborative events, including, but not limited to the Black Maternal Mental Health Summit, BIPOC Birth Worker Retreat, and the Fall Birth Worker Convening.

The Black Maternal Mental Health Summit, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, was our first summit ever. Over 60 attendees at Rhode Island College came together to learn about the effects of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, the effect on families, where to locate resources, and how they could help.

OUR 1 YR ANNIVERSARY Our one-year anniversary since we first opened our doors was on September 13, 2023, and we were in Warwick, RI at Crowne Plaza, sponsored by the RI Department of Health and RI Foundation, hosting the Postpartum Support International Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders 2 Day Core Component training with over 20 RI local birthworkers - primarily Certified Perinatal Doulas to address the perinatal mental health challenges in our community. Our work continues even in times of celebration.

OUR IMPACT

Postpartum Newborn Care

Community Event w/ Doulas Donor Milk

Lactation Giveaway Winner

Student Midwifery Support

Collective Care & Rest

FAMILIES SERVED: 200 CLASSES HELD: 411 DONOR MILK: 460 OUNCES PROGRAMS OPERATING: 3 DOULA REFERRALS: 100

Certified Doula T/A

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2024 Opening of the Perinatal Easy Access Clinic Lactation Professional In Home Referral Connection CLE/CLC to IBCLC Clinic Support Site Continuing the expansion of hybrid perinatal professional development Certified Professional Midwifery Equity Initiative Implementation and Systems Design for 4 workforce development initiatives: Certified Perinatal Midwifery Workforce * Certified Lactation Professionals Licensure* Certified Community Healthworker w/ Certified Perinatal Doula Providers Integrated Collaboration Certified Peer Maternal Behavioral Health * (we are working on legislative policy for alignment)*

OUR COLLECTIVE KINMMUNITY INVESTMENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GRATITUDE : the Rhode Island Foundation, RI Department of Health, RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, United Health of Rhode Island, and the City of Providence Healthy Communities Office for their intentional supportive investment in the Certified Perinatal Doula workforce. : the RI Department of Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Women‘s Fund of Rhode Island for their intentional informative investment in the Childbirth Education Series. : the RI Department of Health, Rhode Island Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI, and RI Children‘s Youth Cabinet for their intentional awareness investment in the Community-Based Perinatal Mental Health Initiative. : the RI Department of Health and Our Journ3i LLC for their intentional foundation investment in Community Milk: Donor Milk Depot & Dispensary. : the Department of Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island for their intentional equityaccessibility investment in the Perinatal Easy Access Clinic. : the Department of Health and its intentional primary care provider and postpartum clinical advancement partnership for the 5-year Rhode Island Certified Professional Midwifery Equity Initiative.

Last but not least, : the Osorio Family for their intentional practical investment in the Doula Referral Hotline.

We acknowledge every in-kind gift we have received since 2022. We appreciate everyone who purchased items on our Amazon Lists. We thank every person who supports us by purchasing books for little book nook.

OUR KINMMUNITY SUPPORTERS Anon - 1st Donor Anon. - Equity Supporter Our Journ3i LLC National Perinatal Task Force Farmacy Herbs Neighborhood Health Plan of RI Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI Rhode Island Foundation Women's Fund of RI Champlin Foundation Pinpoint Foundation Department of Health Globe Life American Income Division: Zuzick Organization Ali & Ramona Boyd Alison Weber Amiel Aaron Amy Chen Ana Sofia De Brito Anna Westley Anna Whelan Arianna Daluz Ayana Bass* Beth Cronin* Beverly OKeefe Bre Willis Brian Gilmore Brie Reid Caring In Color Chilynn Acevedo Courtney Hoyle* Cynthia Poon Dina Fraize Dontrice Redmon*

Elizabeth Burke Bryant Elyse Wilkie* Emerald Ortiz Emily Anesta* Emma Feifer Eva Agudelo* Ezer Birth Collective LLC Gaby Sime* Isabel Mattia* Jane Bradley* Jeannine Casselman Jenn Fantasia* Jennifer D'Antonio* Jenny Gruslin Jessica Walsh* Joanne Rich* John Bennetts Kate Hanley Katie Almeida Spencer* Katrina Despinos* Kayla Carter* Keesler Gomes* Kimberly Tsocanos Kristen Kardos KyRen Celmer Laura Brown-Lavoie LeNola Potami Leona Hariharan Liina Mangana Linda Spencer Liz Tobin-Tyler Maggie Kuch* Maurine Tobin Meg Bain

*KINMMUNITY MONTHLY SUPPORTERS

Megan Sanderson* Meghan Grady Melinda Salaman Melissa Bowley Mikayla Anthes Minnie Luong Moriah Garcia Nelson* Olubunmi Akinnusotu Paige Dickinson Paige Zuzick Pamela Walker Quatia Osorio roots physical therapy Rosalie Elkinton Sadie Wych Sara Picard Sarah O'Brien Shonte Davidson* SistafireRI Solange Elkallassi* Stacie Mandeville Stefanie Gallo* Stephan Charles Stephanie Avila* Sue Reuker Suzanne Austin Tasuma Goodwin Truc Lai Vanessa Janek Vatic Kuumba Yamil Baez Zion’sTender Perinatal Care, LLC* Zola Boris

THANK YOU

INFO@URBANPERINATAL.ORG

401-229-9225

WWW.URBANPERINATAL.ORG WWW.PERINATALEQUITYINRI.COM

ZORA NEALE HURSTON

THERE IS NO AGONY LIKE BEARING AN UNTOLD STORY INSIDE YOU.