GREENSBORO, N.C. — Every family deserves access to the healthiest start in life but not everyone gets that chance.
In 2021, close to 6,000 babies were born in Guilford County and of those babies, 44 did not celebrate their first birthday.
The infant mortality rate in Guilford County is one of the highest in North Carolina.
The numbers are even more alarming for black and brown babies.
A new initiative is hoping to change the rates. It's called 'Every Baby Guilford' and is pledging to end infant deaths by 50% by 2026.
The program will have a team of eight total doulas looking to serve 60 families this year.
Doula coordinator of the program, Angelica Mickel, explains what the process will look like for new and expecting families.
"We are now accepting referrals that is a link that goes straight to the Doula coordinator like myself and we begin matching them up with the Doulas. This is free Doulas services no matter age or race or anything so we are excited. Yes, there are other Doulas programs in the community that we will be working with. We also will be working with Doula convening meetings and collaborative training for the community," Mickel said.
Mickel said not only is the program offering doula services for Guilford County families but they are looking for Doulas as well.
"If someone has an interest in childbirth education or assisting families in delivery they can take a Doula training. That training is typically two to three days and then after that training, they can get a certificate to become a certified Doula. So you can be a trained Doula or a certified Doula definitely all different types of Doulas in the world," Mickel said.
Mickel said they need more bilingual Doulas seeing as black and brown families need to have someone they can relate to and look like them.
The program is a collaborative effort of Cone Health, Atrium Health, YWCA of Greensboro and High Point, and Ready for School and Ready for Life.
For more information on Every Baby Guilford, click or tap HERE.