The Perinatal Health Worker Training (PHWT) prepares individuals to serve within their community in various capacities, including direct perinatal care and support, advocacy and policy engagement, and entry-level social work and public health careers.
Through comprehensive and structured training paired with practical skills experience, PHWT seeks to increase the number of highly skilled and culturally congruent Black women employed in the public health and human service profession.
2027 Training dates coming soon.
How is Mamatoto’s training different from others?
Unlike other birth worker training programs, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of reproductive justice, community, and perinatal health, while being trained by experienced maternal health professionals. Additionally, those seeking to gain birth experience will have the opportunity to attend births with experienced PCHWs.
We are NOT training you to be doulas, but rather providing you with transferable skills that can be applied to other career pathways in maternal and child health, human services, and public health.
What does training cover?
Our core PHWT training is 161-classroom hours which include role-plays, hands-on skill development, learning activities, lectures, and videos and covers skills and academic knowledge related to (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Public Health 101
- Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice
- Nutrition for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Birth Justice
- Complications in the Perinatal Period
- Newborn Care and Development
- Perinatal Mental Health
- The Postpartum Period
- Basic Lactation Management
- Teaching Adult Learners
- Contraception Counseling and Fertility Awareness
Trainee Opportunities
We want to help you achieve your full potential so you, in turn, can help other people achieve theirs. Trainees in the DC Metro area who complete the training can apply for employment at Mamatoto Village or have support in finding a local placement.
Add-On Modules (also available as stand-alone modules without attending the training)
For those interested in providing labor support and/or obtaining advanced lactation skills, the following modules are available;
- Expanded Birth (40-hour training)
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- Communication with the provider
- Birth planning
- Anatomy and physiology of pregnancy and birth;
- Comfort measures and labor techniques
- Pelvic balancing and rebozo skills
- Complications and interventions in the perinatal period
- Techniques for resolution of a complicated birth
- Postpartum
- Lactation Specialist (45-hour)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, participation in the PCHW training program is limited to accepted applicants. You must complete the application and interview to be accepted to enroll in the training.
We are seeking individuals who are passionate about maternal health and dedicated to serving their communities. To excel in this role, you should have a genuine commitment to both giving and receiving support while working to build meaningful connections with Black women and others in a liberatory way. Stay open to learning and growth, actively participate in all activities, and maintain regular attendance, making up for any missed classes or sessions. Complete all assignments thoroughly and aim to pass both skills and written exams to showcase your dedication and proficiency.
Yes, we have a limited number of scholarships available.
Yes, payment arrangements are available. We understand that financial constraints can be a concern, so we offer flexible options to make the training accessible. A $1,000 non-refundable payment is required even with a scholarship. Please contact us about your personal situation if this is a barrier.
We have a required 3-day in-person kick-off weekend from February 7-9th, 2025 from 9am – 6pm. This is a hybrid training, meaning classes will be both virtual (live) via Zoom and in-person.
- Zoom sessions will be held on weekdays (Tuesday + Thursday, with select Wednesdays depending on the unit) from 6-9 pm.
- In person sessions are typically held from 9:00 am – 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday except for the first weekend. Note: exact times may vary and will be confirmed once the schedule is finalized.
- Pathway 1: Professional Development focuses on applying newly acquired knowledge to current roles or exploring new career opportunities without MVA support.
- Pathway 2: Career Readiness is tailored for individuals entering the workforce for the first time, re-entering after a hiatus, or transitioning into a professional career. MVA offers resources for building a career portfolio.
- Pathway 3: Mentorship provides opportunities to shadow experienced PCHWs and accumulate hands-on (on the job) experience.
You can participate in Pathway 3 without prior experience in maternal health or home visiting. This pathway provides opportunities to shadow experienced PCHWs and gain hands-on experience, with MVA facilitating connections with mentors and offering feedback throughout the training.
No, there is currently no community health worker certification available in Washington, D.C. However, Maryland offers certification, and completing the PCHW training will provide a solid foundation for that certification.
Yes, we welcome military personnel and veterans as long as you can meet the attendance requirements.
With this training, you can apply your new skills and experience to careers in public health, such as midwifery, nursing, obstetrics, public policy, law, human services, social work, counseling, or work within other community-based organizations
Children older than six months are not permitted. When applying, please indicate if childcare is a barrier for you.
If you have any additional questions, please email training@mamatotovillage.org or review the meeting recording located in the PCHW application.