Cutting-Edge Practice

Delaware State Peer Support Doula Model

State/Jurisdiction: Delaware
Setting: Clinical Community
Population: Women & Maternal
Topic Area: Mental Health & Substance Use Workforce Development Perinatal Substance Use
NPMs:

Delaware’s peer support doula model was developed through Delaware’s State Maternal Health Innovation (SMHI) initiative and Maternal Health Strategic Plan to address rising maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder (SUD). Data from the Delaware Maternal and Child Death Review Commission identified overdose as the leading cause of maternal death in the state for five consecutive years, with many deaths occurring in the late postpartum period. Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) rates have also increased across Delaware hospitals. Reviews of infant and neonatal deaths further show that many are associated with unsafe sleep environments, particularly among families affected by SUD, highlighting the need for additional education and support for high-risk families.

The program focuses on perinatal women with SUD, who often face intersecting challenges such as mental health conditions, trauma histories, unstable housing, and difficulty accessing coordinated prenatal and postpartum care. Peer support doulas provide continuous emotional, informational, and practical support throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, and up to one year postpartum. They assist women in navigating obstetric care, substance use treatment, home visiting programs, pediatric care, and social services. Grounded in trauma-informed care and peer leadership, the model integrates peer recovery support with traditional doula services to strengthen care coordination, improve engagement in treatment and maternal health services, and ultimately reduce severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality.



Back to Database

Implementation Handout



CONTACT INFORMATION
Delaware Department of Health and Social Service
NaaDede Hesse
NaaDede.Hesse@delaware.gov
vikrum@forward-consultants.com