Denver Doulas Expand Support for New Families

The Roots Family Center has inaugurated a new facility in Denver, significantly enhancing its capacity to serve the community. This expansion is particularly focused on bolstering its growing doula program, which provides essential support to families throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum journeys.

The expanded center aims to function as a central resource for community assistance, professional training, and accessible drop-in services. This initiative is vital for families navigating new environments, languages, or healthcare systems during a critical life phase.

Community doula Alejandra López highlighted the program's impact, especially for women birthing alone or facing communication challenges with medical providers. Her efforts in establishing Colorado's first Spanish-language doula training program recently earned her national recognition.

Recognizing the importance of these services, Colorado Medicaid started covering doula assistance in 2024. This policy shift is a key step toward improving maternal health and reducing disparities in birth outcomes across the state.

Executive Director Crystal Muñoz noted the increasing demand for support, particularly for birthing individuals without nearby family. The organization's goal is to ensure accessible doula care in any language, fostering a sense of connection and support for all.

The new Denver space not only centralizes family services but also provides adequate facilities for training new doulas. To date, the program has trained over 30 doulas, with many already certified and more currently undergoing training, supported by limited available scholarships.