Children & Family Health Institute Receives Renewed Grant to Strengthen Doula Workforce and Maternal Health in Essex County

VNA Health Group’s Children & Family Health Institute (CFHI) is proud to announce the renewal of a $134,082 grant from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) to continue developing a community-based Doula workforce in Essex County. 

This second-year grant will build upon the program’s early success, further supporting the expertise and professional growth of the first cohort of VNA-trained community doulas who are already preparing and assisting in local births.

The funding will sustain and expand CFHI’s Community Doula Learning Collaborative, a model designed to improve maternal health and child outcomes by creating a sustainable, culturally responsive career pathway for community-based doulas.

“Pregnancy, childbirth, and the early parenting journey can be both beautiful and challenging, especially for families facing social or economic barriers,” said Sahai Cole, Vice President of the Children & Family Health Institute. “Our doulas have already made a significant difference for Essex County families by providing consistent, compassionate care grounded in shared culture and lived experience. We are grateful to the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for continuing to invest in this important work.”

Asionna Warner, a doula through the program, shared how rewarding it’s been to support local families: “One of the most rewarding parts of being a doula in training is watching the bond between partners strengthen during birth. Being able to walk with families through such a transformative moment and to leave them with lasting tools, memories, and comfort reminds me why I wanted to do this work. Every family deserves to feel supported, empowered, and deeply cared for throughout their birthing journey.”

The Essex County Community Doula Learning Collaborative launched in 2024 with HFNJ’s initial grant of $124,467. During the first year, 13 multicultural women from Essex County were recruited and trained at no cost to provide culturally competent birth support. Each received state-certified doula training and participated in monthly professional development sessions to enhance skills, build networks, and promote long-term career sustainability.

Community Doulas are trained, non-medical professionals who provide emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. Because they often share their clients’ language, culture, and lived experiences, they help bridge communication gaps, reduce disparities, and improve birth outcomes.

The renewed funding will allow CFHI to continue mentoring its first cohort of doulas while building the infrastructure needed to expand access to equitable maternal care. The long-term goal is to transform New Jersey’s maternal health landscape by ensuring that every birthing person, regardless of background or income, can access consistent, culturally responsive care and advocacy throughout pregnancy and early parenting.

For Essex County residents seeking doula support:

• Eligible individuals must be pregnant and live in Essex County.
• There are no insurance or income requirements, and services are provided at no cost.
• For more information, contact Program Coordinators:
  • Leanora Chojnowski, RN, 732-272-6760
  • Danielle Conti, BA, 732-832-5646

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About Visiting Nurse Association Health Group

Founded over 110 years ago with a mission to care for the community, Visiting Nurse Association Health Group (VNA Health Group) empowers individuals and families to live their best lives by offering high-quality, compassionate home health, hospice, visiting physicians, palliative and community-based care, private-pay personal care services, and primary care for medically underserved patients. 

Today, VNA Health Group is a leading nonprofit provider of home and community-based health services in New Jersey. Its unique partnership model with health systems leverages clinical and technical resources to operate VNA of Central Jersey Home Care and Hospice, Robert Wood Johnson Visiting Nurses, VNA of Englewood, Barnabas Health Home Care and Hospice, and Visiting Physician Services. For more information, please visit https://vnahg.org/.

About the Children and Family Health InstituteAs part of its comprehensive approach to community health, VNA Health Group operates the Children and Family Health Institute (CFHI), which serves more than 54,000 clients and families each year. The Institute delivers over 20 life-changing public health programs, including pediatric home care, early intervention, prenatal care, and primary care. CFHI provides the care and resources that children and families need to live healthier, happier lives. For more information, please visit https://vnahg.org/children-family-health-institute.