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The Maternal Justice Coalition of Long Island
December 2025 E-Newsletter
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Welcome to the latest edition of the Maternal Justice Coalition of Long Island newsletter! This publication is a collaboration between the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island (HWCLI) and the Women's Diversity Network, bringing you important updates and insights to support maternal health and justice across Long Island. In this issue, we are excited to highlight three key sections:
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Advocacy & Legislation: Latest policy changes and legislative efforts
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Resources: Find valuable tools and services
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Events: Discover upcoming workshops, webinars, and events
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Senate Bill S6496/Assembly Bill A7760
Information about the bill:
- Requires any hospital that provides birthing services to provide written, educational material containing information about premature, newborn infants
- Currently in committee
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Assembly Bill A4879A
Information about the bill:
- Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents of children and their children
- Currently in assembly committee
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The CARE Act: S4583/A4879
New Hour's CARE (Compassion and Reproductive Equity Act), sponsored by Senator Salazar and Assemblywoman Kelles, establishes a comprehensive human rights-based statutory policy relating to incarcerated pregnant or postpartum individuals and their children in NYS and local correctional facilities.
The CARE Act:
- Requires comprehensive prenatal and reproductive care as well as adequate nutrition for pregnant incarcerated people.
- Ensures dignity in delivery where public health best practices are reflected for incarcerated birthing people.
- Ensures decreased infant mortality for babies born behind bars.
- Requires comprehensive postnatal care and nurturing safe spaces for parent-child bonding.
- Eliminates unjust separation of baby and mother while behind bars.
- Establishes nurseries in all NYS prisons and jails to keep moms and babies together
Take Action Today, visit the following links to learn more and take action:
| | Maternal Health Resources | | |
FREE Childbirth and Doula Workshop
Join Harmony Healthcare Long Island for their Harmony Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond Perinatal and Infant Community Health Collaborative free childbirth and doula workshop at Harmony Healthcare LI Westbury Clinic. This workshop is held every 4th Wednesday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at 682 Union Ave, Westbury, NY 11590.
This informative session covers healthy pregnancy tips, practical and physical skills for labor, natural comfort measures to ease childbirth pain, postpartum care, breastfeeding information, and doula services. Don't miss this opportunity to begin your birth journey with expert guidance and support.
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Support Circle for Black Moms
The Support Circle for Black Moms is a nurturing community designed to help new Black mothers navigate the joys and challenges of postpartum life. This program offers a safe space to connect with other new moms, share experiences, receive practical advice, and gain emotional support. Organized by Harmony Healthcare Long Island, Women's Diversity Network, and Hofstra University, the initiative aims to foster a supportive environment for Black mothers. For more information or to sign up, contact cburnett@womensdiversitynetwork.org.
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Pregnancy Support Circles
Are you black and pregnant, or thinking about having a child? Join the Pregnancy Support Circles, a free, safe space to share your pregnancy journey. Hosted by Harmony Healthcare Long Island in partnership with Women’s Diversity Network and Hofstra University, this group offers supportive discussions, expert advice from doctors, midwives, and doulas, and education through storytelling to help you advocate for yourself and your family. Learn more at bit.ly/womensupportcircle.
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Dad's Support Circle
The Dad’s Support Circles provide a supportive space for new fathers and fathers-to-be as they prepare for parenthood. Participants will explore their roles and responsibilities during and after pregnancy, share their experiences in a nonjudgmental environment, discuss the emotional aspects of fatherhood, and build confidence in their parenting journey. Hosted virtually on Zoom, this program is organized by Harmony Healthcare Long Island, Women's Diversity Network, and Hofstra University. To register, email cburnett@womensdiversitynetwork.org.
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Connect With A Doula
The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island can connect you with a doula- whether you have Medicaid or are paying privately. Scan the QR code to complete a short consultation form and get matched with a doula today!
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HEALI Social Care Network
The Health and Welfare Council of Long Island launched the HEALI Social Care Network in January 2025. The HEALI Social Care Network aims to improve health outcomes for Medicaid members by addressing Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs)—such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of transportation—through a coordinated and community-based approach. Take the opportunity to find out more information about HEALI and the resources available for Medicaid members.
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Doula Coverage for Medicaid Members
New York State Medicaid now offers a comprehensive benefit for doula services, providing physical, emotional, educational, and non-medical support for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Medicaid members can receive up to 8 doula visits during and after pregnancy, as well as continuous labor support during childbirth, at no cost.
Doulas assist with developing birth plans, offering patient-centered advocacy, facilitating communication with medical providers, and connecting families to community resources. This support extends through the perinatal, childbirth, postpartum, and newborn periods, including situations like abortion, miscarriage, and stillbirth. Medicaid-enrolled doulas are reimbursed for their services, ensuring accessible care for all eligible members. Learn more about this valuable benefit at health.ny.gov/doula.
Are you interested in becoming a Medicaid-reimbursable Doula? If so, please reach out to Randalle Lewis, HWCLI's Advocacy and Coalition Manager for more information at rlewis@hwcli.com
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FREE Resources for New or Expecting Mothers
Harmony Healthcare Long Island, in partnership with Women’s Diversity Network and Hofstra University School of Health Professions and Human Services, offers free support services for those who are currently pregnant or have recently had a baby.
Services include connections to community resources and support (such as food, baby items, and diapers), educational workshops, developing birth and postpartum plans, securing health insurance, finding a doctor and transportation, support groups, nutrition and parenting classes, and connection to doula services. Services are available in Spanish and Haitian Creole. For appointments, call (516) 396-0389 or email PICH@harmonyhealthcareli.org. Visit www.harmonyhealthcareli.org/pichc/ for more information. You are not alone!
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Introducing Doula Notes: A New Platform Supporting Doulas and Birth Equity
HWCLI is proud to announce the launch of Doula Notes, a first-of-its-kind web-based platform. Developed in collaboration with KratosDP. Doula Notes is designed specifically to support doulas serving Long Island within Medicaid Managed Care Organizations by reducing administrative burdens, improving care coordination, and ultimately advancing birth equity across New York State. The platform offers a secure, streamlined way for doulas to track appointments, birth outcomes, and client data—all in one place—allowing them to spend less time on paperwork and more time providing compassionate, continuous care to the families they serve. Doula Notes is more than just an app—it’s an investment in maternal justice and a step forward in building equitable health infrastructure.
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12/3 Voices for Change: A Panel on Maternal Health Equity For People Living With Disabilities
Join us for a powerful conversation on Maternal Health Equity for People living with Disabilities, presented by The Women's Diversity Network and Hofstra's Center for Civic Engagement. Hosted on Wednesday December 3rd, 2025 from 1PM-2:25PM at the Axinn Library Room 246 (123 Hofstra Blvd, Hempstead, NY 11549). Together, leaders in healthcare, advocacy, and education will discuss how to center the voices of neurodivergent individuals and people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities- identifying real solutions to the systematic barriers in maternal health. Lets work together to amplify the voices too often left out of the conversation.
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12/3 Seeing the Signs: Postpartum Awareness for Doulas
Calling all doulas and birth workers! Join One Love Community Consortium on December 3rd from 6:00PM-9:00PM at the Lake Grove Advanced Specialty Care (4 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove, NY 11755), for their quarterly educational series about postpartum awareness. Workshop benefits include postpartum monitoring and recovery, detecting red flags, and more. There is a $20 registration fee for kits and meals.
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12/12 Teen Parent Conference- Healthy Futures and Breaking Barries: Promoting Wellness in Young Families
Join Suffolk County Teen Pregnancy Advisory Board on December 12th from 8:00AM-1:30PM at the H. Lee Dennison Building (10 Veterans Memorial Highway Hauppauge, NY 11788), for a day of empowerment, education, and goal setting! There will be raffles, resources, and food provided. Click here to register today.
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Next Maternal Justice Coalition Meeting on 12/23
Join us for our next Maternal Justice Coalition Meeting on Tuesday December 23rd at 11AM. If you do not have the invitation please reach out to maternalhealth@hwcli.com or CBurnett@womensdiversitynetwork.org. Our discussion will include Equitable Access to Doula, Midwifery, & Lactation Services, Education & Legislative Advocacy, Mental Health Screenings for Birth Workers, Safe Spaces for Black Women, and Perinatal and Postpartum Kits.
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Suffolk County Department of Health FREE Perinatal Health Services
Are you pregnant or a new parent? The Suffolk County Department of Health Services provides free and confidential perinatal health services to support a healthy pregnancy, baby, and family in Babylon, Brookhaven, Islip, and Riverhead Townships. Services include home-visiting case management, assistance with medical care, insurance, and community resources, individual and family wellness assessments, and education on pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health, and newborn care. For more information, call 631-854-4023 or visit healthybabyandme.org. Bilingual support is available, and the flyer is also offered in Spanish (“Programa de Servicios de Salud Perinatal”) to ensure accessibility. Click here to view the flyer.
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The Postpartum Resource Center of New York
Are you a new or expecting parent on Long Island? You’re not alone. The Postpartum Resource Center of New York offers free and confidential support for families navigating pregnancy and postpartum mental health challenges.
Services include:
✔️ Peer support
✔️ Helpline assistance
✔️ Local mental health resources
✔️ Family education
✔️ Culturally responsive support
Learn more about postpartum mental health services on Long Island at:
🔗 postpartumny.org/longisland
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Babylon Lactation Clinic
Good Samaritan University Hospital has opened the St. Anne Outpatient Lactation Clinic in Babylon to provide breastfeeding support for new mothers after hospital discharge. The clinic, located at the Catholic Health Physician Partners Pediatric Specialty Care Center, offers educational, clinical, and emotional support to improve maternal and infant health. Funded by a $100,000 grant from the John C. Dunphy Private Foundation, the initiative addresses a critical need for postpartum lactation care. To learn more visit:
https://www.catholichealthli.org/news/good-samaritan-university-hospital-opens-new-lactation-clinic-babylon
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Smart Suffolk Boss Babies
A no-cost, in home program serving the Wyandanch and Bellport communities. Serving mothers in their 3rd trimester and families with children under 2.5 years old. Call or email to learn more and sign up 631-854-0378 / smartstartsuffolk@suffolkcountyny.gov
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Help Open Long Island's First Ever Midwife-Led Birth Center
Join us in building Long Island's first-ever midwife-led Birth Center- a sacred and safe space where every birthing person, especially birthing people of color, can birth with dignity and support. Donate today!
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Nassau County Perinatal Services Network's Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Task Force
Are you pregnant or have you had a baby in the past year? Have you been crying a lot? Feeling very tired? Not sleeping or sleeping too much? Have you been feeling overwhelmed? Irritable or angry? Anxious? Guilty or worthless? Do you sometimes have thoughts about yourself or your baby that make you worried or afraid? Do you know a mother-to-be or new mother struggling with issues like these? THERE IS HELP.
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Childbirth and Postpartum Education Classes
Voulez-Vous a Doula and More is now offering childbirth and postpartum education classes. The program provides professional, evidence-based education and support, including Childbirth/Lamaze Education, Lactation Consultation, Labor and Delivery Support, and Postpartum and Newborn Care Education.
Classes are held on Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Kennedy Memorial Park Recreation Center, located at 335 Greenwich Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Click here to learn more.
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Circle of Caring
Join Northwell South Shore University Hospital's 8-week Postpartum Depression Support Group. Scan the QR code if you are interested in attending! If you have questions, email Marie at mkeogh2@northwell.edu or call 631-894-5282.
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Pregnancy and Infant Feeding Workshops
Join EFNEP and Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County on Tuesday's December 1st and 8th virtually to learn and understand how to pump and store breastmilk, explore breastfeeding positions, get tips for feeding, and so much more!
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New Study: The Role of Doulas in Identifying Symptoms of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders and Providing Referrals to Mental Health Services
Are you a practicing doula? You are invited to participate in a research study focused on the training and work experiences of Doulas regarding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). The study aims to gain insights into the practices and experiences of doulas in addressing PMADs. Your perspective as a practitioner could significantly contribute to the advancement of knowledge and improving care in this important area.
📝Scan the QR code or click here to fill out the survey
If you have questions please contact Liat Shklarski at LS1185@HUNTER.CUNY.EDU
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Research Study on Infant Health and Parenting: Seeking Pregnant Hispanic/Latina People Who Receive or are Eligible for WIC!
Northwell's Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is looking for participants for their research study on infant health and parenting. Participants will receive online prenatal and infant health education, complete quick surveys, and receive compensation for their time. All participants must be pregnant (24-32 weeks), English and or Spanish speaking, 18+ years old, and be enrolled in or eligible for WIC.
Interested in participating? Click here or email step-out@northwell.edu
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