2011 DOULA Program Fact Sheet

Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Community Services

Program Description

Target

The target population is teenaged women, the majority of whom are Medicaid eligible from the Parent Too Soon Program.

Eligibility Criteria

Teens with a family income below 200% of poverty, who are clients in the Parents Too Soon program at 3 PTS sites: the Marillac Social Center (Chicago), Christopher House (Chicago), or Easter Seals/Child

Purpose

The main objective of the program is to improve the outcomes associated with adolescent childbearing and parenting. The health of adolescent mothers and their children is the primary focus, by reducing the incidence of low-birth weight and poor pregnancy outcomes, and fostering healthy physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of their children.

Services

Services are provided to the Parents Too Soon Program participants at a total of four sites in the Chicago area. Services include support for mother and child during pregnancy, delivery, and the weeks after birth.

Delivery Method

A Doula is a woman who assists another woman during the prenatal, delivery and postpartum periods of child-birth. The service numbers differ at each site, but range from 36-50 participants per program each year. The maximum to be served by this grant will be 250.

Program Data

Program Accomplishments

The program has achieved national recognition for its Doula services.