Collaboration
Increasing holistic care
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Culture of care
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Policy supports equity
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Sustainable work
✳︎
Systemic change
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Increasing holistic care ✳︎ Culture of care ✳︎ Policy supports equity ✳︎ Sustainable work ✳︎ Systemic change ✳︎
Birth Comadres Collective
Who they are: The Birth Comadres a community of passionate, progressive and trauma informed professionals who believe every person should have a fully-supported and empowering birthing experience and perinatal period no matter your culture or traditions.
One of their offerings is the Home Away From Home Community Project/Proyecto Comunitario. Back in 2021 the Birth Comadres Collective initiated the "Home Away from Home Project". The intention is to offer perinatal care to the undocumented and refugee community in the Austin area. We offer culturally competent care, care similar to their home countries. It's no secret that the United States is falling short in caring for our pregnant and postpartum folks especially the black and brown community.
How we collaborate: Birth Comadres and GALS work together to:
Enhance access to prenatal, birth, postnatal care, and auxiliary care for Spanish-speaking, or Latiné populations.
Provide holistic support and resources on childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
Facilitate emotional and practical support for expectant parents throughout the childbirth process.
Promote cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in maternal healthcare services
Maternal Health Equity Collaborative
Who they are: We aim to make birth safer for Black and Brown families in Central Texas by re-envisioning what community care looks like to eliminate racial inequities in maternal health outcomes. The MHEC was forged out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure Black birthing people have access to equitable perinatal care. The group began as a place to build power and advocate for Doulas and Birthworkers to remain in the hospitals. After solidifying Doulas as members of the healthcare team with local hospitals, MHEC then conducted an internal needs assessment using human-centered design to analyze current services and understand the gaps in care for perinatal folks in the region, and with Measure’s support, we conducted a BIPOC lived experience survey to gain further input on community need. From this, the Perinatal Childcare Program for Black Families and other efforts of Reproductive Justice were derived. Pillars of the work: Birthworker Sustainability, Power Building and Organizing, Holistic Care, and Thriving Communities.
How we collaborate: GALS is one of the founding member organizations of the MHEC. Here is some of what we do together:
The Childcare Program was originally developed and nurtured under the MHEC collaborative - with GALS and Black Mamas ATX as the leads. We continue to offer this program to the participants of collaborative organizations
Advocate and build power in the advocacy circle, plan events such as the community baby shower, and align around funding opportunities - including for collaborative initiatives
Meet weekly (or more often) to connect, create, and envision further collaboration and referrals, including:
Postpartum support groups with Partners in Parenting
Therapy for GALS participants from Black Mamas ATX
Rental Assistants, classes and groups with MSVW
Free Store with Black Mamas Village
Easy access clinic with LAMP