In July 2023, the 135th General Assembly passed House Bill 33, which authorizes the Ohio Board of Nursing to regulate the certification of doulas, through the creation of a doula advisory board. Doulas are professionals trained to provide non-medical, emotional, and physical support throughout a woman’s pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The doula advisory board will consist of at least three members of communities most impacted by negative maternal and health outcomes, six certified doulas, one public health official, physician, nurse, or social worker, and one consumer.
The Center for Community Solutions has advocated for the implementation of doula coverage across multiple general assemblies from the advent of Ohio Medicaid’s Maternal and Infant Support Program (MISP) until now.
Apply to the Doula Advisory Board by Monday, November 6
The Ohio Board of Nursing is now seeking applicants to serve on the Doula Advisory Board. Applicants seeking appointment must apply to the Doula Advisory Board no later than Monday, November 6, 2023.
The Doula Advisory Board will serve an integral role in promoting positive maternal and infant health outcomes, especially for communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities.
What will the Doula Advisory Board do?
- Provide general advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Board of Nursing regarding doula certification and the adoption of requirements for training on racial bias, health disparities, and cultural competency as a condition of initial certification and certificate renewal and requirements and standards of practice for certified doulas;
- Provide general advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Department of Medicaid regarding program operations;
- Make recommendations to the Medicaid Director regarding the adoption of rules for the purposes of the Doula program.The application is available on the Board of Nursing website. It must be emailed to board@nursing.ohio.gov by Monday, November 6, 2023.
