TruDoulas of NJ Awarded Grant from New Jersey Birth Equity Alliance
TruDoulas of NJ is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant from the New Jersey Birth Equity Alliance to implement Loved Ones. This innovative 8-session training program transforms trusted family members, friends, and caregivers into informed birth supporters while creating pathways to doula certification and careers in birth work.
In a meaningful shift from traditional maternal health approaches, Loved Ones recognizes and strengthens what already exists: the powerful networks of mothers, sisters, partners, and friends who have long supported Black families through pregnancy and childbirth. Rather than replacing these vital connections, the program enhances them by providing knowledge, resources, and confidence to those who are already present and trusted.
“When we reached out to Black mothers in our community, we heard a consistent message: ‘I have my mother, my sister, my family. I don’t need any more support,'” said Jodie Sessoms, Executive Director of TruDoulas of NJ. “We listened. This program honors those existing strengths while ensuring that loved ones have access to the information and tools they need to provide even better support.”
Why This Matters Now
The need for innovative approaches to maternal health in Trenton is urgent. Data from Advocates for Children of New Jersey reveal stark disparities:
• Almost half (48%) of Trenton mothers don’t receive prenatal care until their second or third trimester, compared to 27% in Mercer County
• The infant mortality rate in Trenton (9.9 per 1,000 live births) is nearly double that of Mercer County (5.7)
• Black mothers experience the highest rates of infant mortality (13.8 deaths per 1,000 live births) and preterm births (16 per 1,000 live births)
• Nearly half (47%) of Trenton families with children live below the federal poverty level.
A Program Rooted in Community Wisdom
Loved Ones takes a culturally grounded approach that acknowledges generations of self-reliance developed in response to systemic mistreatment and medical mistrust. By meeting families where they are and empowering their existing support systems, the program creates a bridge between communities and vital maternal health resources on their own terms.
The 8-session program serves dual purposes: equipping loved ones with practical skills to support birthing people during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum; and providing information and connections for those interested in pursuing doula certification and careers in birth work.
“This approach disperses knowledge throughout entire families and communities, creating far-reaching and long-lasting impacts,” Sessoms noted. “It also reduces the burden on birthing people to be the sole recipient of maternal health information, allowing their networks to actively participate in advocacy and care.”
Building Evidence for Lasting Change
The pilot program will include rigorous external evaluation conducted by Community Partnerships in Health, led by Zoelene Hill, a researcher and Trenton native deeply connected to the community. “This evaluation partnership reflects TruDoulas’ commitment to building an evidence base of their impact and continuously improving their program model,” said Hill.
“We’re excited to develop strong evidence of what works,” said Sessoms. “Our goal is to refine this approach, demonstrate its effectiveness, and collaborate with other organizations to expand this community-centered model to other communities across New Jersey and beyond.”
