Sistas Caring 4 Sistas Inc

To reach families of color and those at risk for adverse birth outcomes, SC4S maintains strong referral partnerships with: -MAHEC -Project CARA -Mary Benson House -Buncombe County Nurse-Family Partnership -Buncombe County WIC Offices (including West Asheville) -Polk County Health Department In total, SC4S supported 70 births, providing comprehensive prenatal, lactation, postpartum support, and childbirth education to each family. Community Engaegment: SC4S actively partnered with community organizations to raise awarenes about the benefits of early doula care. These efforts focused on promoting healthy pregnancies, reducing risks such as low birth weight and infant mortality, and ensuring a strong start for newborns by addressing health concerns early.

Workforce Development: SC4S re-evaluated its priorities and discontinued participation in a five-year research grant with UNC Chapel Hill to expand the doula workforce. Despite this SC4S continued its involvement in the Doula Data Consortium Time Use Study in partnership with SisterWeb, aiming to better understand the roles and time commitments of community-based doulas to improve payment structures The organization hired four new doulas, bringing the total to 12 trained community-based doulas, each dedicated to improving birth outcomes for Black families and those unable to afford private care.