For many Arizona families, support after birth can be hard to find. Across the state, moms continue to face gaps in postpartum and mental health care during a critical time for both parents and babies.

To help address that need, <a href="https://4thtrimesteraz.org/" target="_blank">4th Trimester Arizona&rsquo;s It Takes a Village</a> initiative is training, certifying, and contracting more community-based doulas to support families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery&mdash;bringing care closer to home.

With support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.azbluefoundation.org/grants/thiru-family-trust-momentum-maker-grant" target="_blank">Thiru Family Trust Momentum Maker Grant</a>, the initiative is expanding postpartum services and strengthening a statewide network of community-based care. Last year, 4th Trimester Arizona received a $100,000 grant to help doulas complete training and certification requirements so they can serve more Arizona families covered through AHCCCS, the state&rsquo;s Medicaid program.

To date, the program has helped:

<ul>
 <li>13 doulas complete state certification
 </li>
 <li>Nine doulas move through Medicaid approval steps
 </li>
 <li>Nine doulas begin working through health plan agreements
 </li>
 <li>Two doulas become approved providers with at least one health plan
 </li>
</ul>
&ldquo;This funding has helped move the It Takes a Village project from concept to implementation by building the support system community-based doulas need to serve families covered through AHCCCS,&rdquo; said Dr. Jennie Bever, CEO of 4th Trimester Arizona. &ldquo;Moms need more support than the current system provides. By helping doulas navigate the reimbursement pathway, we&rsquo;re expanding access to trusted, relationship-based care.&rdquo;

The work comes at a critical time in Arizona:

<ul>
 <li>1&nbsp;in 5 women experience maternal mental health symptoms</li>
 <li>Maternal mental health conditions are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth
 Doulas often serve as trusted guides during pregnancy, birth, and the months after delivery&mdash;helping parents understand their options, recognize warning signs, and connect with care.
 </li>
</ul>
&ldquo;What makes community-based doulas especially powerful is trust,&rdquo; Bever said. &ldquo;Families are often more likely to share concerns with someone who understands their lived experience, culture, language, and community context.&rdquo;

For doulas, the initiative is helping create a more sustainable way to serve families who need support most.

&ldquo;This amazing program has provided a pathway for me to continue serving families as a community doula in a sustainable way,&rdquo; said Brionna Giles, certified doula and founder of Your Birth Story Birth Services. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t wait to pay this kindness forward in the work I do.&rdquo;

AZ Blue continues to support Arizona moms through its community-giving efforts, Foundation, and Medicaid team (AZ Blue Health Choice). To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.azblue.com/maternity" target="_self">https://www.azblue.com/maternity</a>

Grant Helps More Arizona Moms Access Postpartum Support

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