The Perinatal Health Worker Training (PHWT) prepares individuals to serve within their own communities. Through comprehensive and structured training paired with practical job experience, PHWT seeks to increase the number of highly skilled and culturally congruent Women of Color employed in the public health and human service profession. Women receiving training through the PHWT program are uniquely positioned to serve the perinatal community in a myriad of capacities including direct perinatal care and support, advocacy and policy engagement, and entry level social work and public health careers.
How is Mamatoto's training differ from others?
Unlike other birth worker training programs, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of reproductive justice and perinatal health, while being trained 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 the training cover?
Our core PHWT training is 161-classroom hours and covers skills and pedagogic knowledge related to (this is not an exhaustive list):
***Modules will include role-plays, hands-on skill development, learning activities, lectures, and videos***
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;
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 successfully complete the training, are eligible to apply for employment Mamatoto Village or have support in finding a local placement.
How is Mamatoto's training differ from others?
Unlike other birth worker training programs, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of reproductive justice and perinatal health, while being trained 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 the training cover?
Our core PHWT training is 161-classroom hours and covers skills and pedagogic 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
***Modules will include role-plays, hands-on skill development, learning activities, lectures, and videos***
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)
- 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 complicated birth
- Postpartum
- Lactation Specialist (45-hour)
- learn more here
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 successfully complete the training, are eligible to apply for employment Mamatoto Village or have support in finding a local placement.