Project Summary:
The 2026 Wisconsin Doulas Association Conference will convene a diverse cross-section of Wisconsin’s perinatal and maternal health workforce. The primary audience includes birth doulas, postpartum doulas, community-based perinatal professionals, childbirth educators, lactation counselors, and peer support specialists. Additional participants will include nurses, midwives, public health practitioners, behavioral health professionals, hospital administrators, and policymakers committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. The event will draw attendees from across all regions of Wisconsin, including rural, urban, and tribal communities. Regional coordinators will support engagement and outreach to ensure balanced statewide participation. This approach reflects WDA’s ongoing commitment to representation, cultural responsiveness, and equity in workforce development. The anticipated participation includes 100 to 150 in-person attendees and an additional 50-100 virtual participants. The hybrid format will allow broader access for doulas and professionals unable to travel due to cost or geography, ensuring that voices from all parts of the state are heard. Organizations expected to be represented include independent doula practices, public health departments, tribal health programs, federally qualified health centers, hospital maternity and NICU units, maternal mental health initiatives, and educational institutions. WDA will also invite partners from health systems, state and local government, and community-based nonprofits to foster collaboration and dialogue. Through this inclusive and interdisciplinary participation, the conference will serve as a central learning and networking hub for Wisconsin’s perinatal health workforce—building stronger connections across the care continuum and equipping attendees with shared tools and strategies to advance maternal health equity statewide.