Executive Summary

Since 1997, Open Arms has provided community-based support during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting to nurture strong foundations to last a lifetime. As one of Washington's only community-based doula programs created by BIPOC community members for BIPOC families, Open Arms works to advance equity and reduce disparities so that birthing people and babies receive the best possible start with a team of community support. Now serving more than 400 families annually, our trained community healthcare workers support new parents in culturally affirming ways through a healthy pregnancy and birth experience, lactation and body feeding, nurturing and responsive parenting skills, and providing tailored resource navigation to help families get their basic needs met. Combined, these factors lay a foundation for maternal health and well-being, set the stage for healthy attachment and bonding, and the foundations for infant and early childhood mental health, and early learning. We operate from the belief that healing and solutions come from within communities centering the voices and lived experiences of those most impacted by racism. We integrate community power and base building at every level, starting with individual clients learning to advocate for themselves and their children within the healthcare system to broader collaborative efforts to improve the policies and practices that affect the families we support. We also are committed to creating opportunities for BIPOC birthworkers to advance their own professional goals and to focus on culturally responsive approaches to perinatal and lactation supports. Together, these strategies improve birth experiences and lifelong outcomes for families.

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