ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

IMG_9041 2

Okunsola M. Amadou, TM, CD, CLC

FERGUSON, MO

Erica Dickson

Erica Dickson, CD

COLUMBIA, MO

Hakima Payne

Hakima Payne, MSN, RN

KANSAS CITY, MO

Cynthia Dean

Cynthia Dean, CEO

BOOTHEEL, MO

The Missouri Community Doula Council is made up of regional doula leaders across the state of Missouri to be representatives of its respective communities and to advance the doula profession in Missouri as a whole.

MCDC’s primary responsibilities are to:

  • 1 Credential certified doulas and to assist them with private insurance, Missouri Medicaid (once active), and MCO reimbursement for doula care services for equitable pay. Doulas have the capacity to increase the likelihood of both mothers and babies surviving and thriving before, during and after childbirth and deserve to be paid an equitable wage, now.
  • 2 Process billing for doulas who need it. Provide education & training for doulas who’d like to self-bill. Both options will increase economic growth for Missouri doulas.
  • 3 Provide a statewide doula directory for pregnant and postpartum families across Missouri. The directory will highlight doulas who are reimbursable by MCO’s and Medicaid, including doulas who accept private insurance and self-pay. This directory ensures community doulas can be found by families who need them. 
  • 4 Provide continuing and bridge education, allowing doulas to maintain advanced and life saving skills. 
  • 5 Advance Policy and legislative changes that advocate for equitable pay for doulas, doula coverage for Missouri families, and systems wide change to elevate access to doulas. This allows community doulas to speak for themselves and advocate for policies that impact them, vs. policy makers and leaders who are not doulas creating policies that can potentially have unintentional negative impacts for doulas.
  • 6 Support hospitals in becoming doula friendly while creating systems that are safe for doulas and families who utilize doulas. This allows doulas to be integrated into the maternal health system and ensure more mothers are having joyous, thriving and safe birthing experiences. 
  • 7 Uplift the voices of community doulas across Missouri. This will assist doulas who are compassionate about doula work to be mentored for doula leadership opportunities.