Perinatal Community Health Workers provide outreach, education, referrals, advocacy labor, birth, and postpartum support, and home visiting services to expectant women and particularly those who are at highest risk for poor birth outcomes, mainly low-birth weight and infant mortality. The PCHW is targeted to specific communities with high rates of infant mortality, out-of-wedlock births, late or no prenatal care, teen pregnancies and births, and births to low-income women. The program's focus is on getting pregnant women into early and consistent prenatal care and ensuring their families receive primary and preventive health care services. 

Perinatal Family Support Workers provide guidance to new mothers and their families. The PFSW is a reference point, assistant, and culturally congruent resource for the family in the prenatal and postpartum period. The PFSWs also facilitates access to services and community resources that will help to solidify and guarantee the success of the newly established family structure in the perinatal period. The PFSWs are educators, caretakers, and role models. 

Our rigorous 9-month didactic training program is a workforce development training and offers the skills required to be an effective Labor Assistant and Perinatal Family Support Worker, Childbirth Educator, and Lactation Coach. Course topics will focus on: the role of the community health worker in the perinatal period, developing communication skills; teaching adult learners; uncovering, examining, and healing your own reproductive development and health, self-esteem, and birth-related "issues;" understanding pre-and perinatal psychology as it relates to fetal development and normal newborn behavior; hypnosis, comfort measures, and relaxation techniques; rebozo skills; prevention of maternal morbidities; navigating labor challenges; nutrition for pregnancy and breastfeeding; basic lactation management; cultural humility; contraception, and fertility awareness; and data capture and tracking. Weekly modules will include role-plays, hands-on skill development, learning activities, lectures, art exercises, videos, and guest speakers.

Unlike other birthworker training programs, participants will not only be afforded hours of quality training by experienced maternal health professionals, but also have the opportunity to attend births with experienced PCHWs and receive mentorship for one full year following the completion of the training program.  Paid full-time and part-time opportunities are available to candidates who successfully complete the training [interview required].

The Perinatal Community Health Worker Training is as intensive as any college level course, and participants should expect to dedicate a significant amount of time to study during the duration of the training. In person learning sessions take place on weekend per month on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-6:30pm  for a total of 8 in person sessions. The dates can be found on the website. The first module is held on a Friday from 3pm-9pm. All trainees are required to successfully complete an online 40-hour introductory Community Health Worker course before beginning the PCHW training. Access to this course provided 1 month before the start of the training. 

You will need access to a computer,  the internet, and a printer. You may also want to purchase a 32GB flash drive to save all the resources that are provided.

The training is not available as a distance course. However, those traveling from a distance can stay on a weekend basis at the Mamatoto House. We have sofa beds available for 2 persons, and additional space for those who would like to bring air matresses. The fee for the weekend is $50 per person. We have a full kitchen with amenties for you to cook and store food. There is also a place for you to bathe and wash clothes if needed. 

The cost of the Perinatal Community Health Worker Training program is $1500, however, we do offer sliding scale based off income (see the next question).  The Earlybird Rate is $1300 (payment must be made 4 weeks before the start of the training). The training fee includes quality instruction, online course, 600+ page training manual, books, bag plus accessories, access to extensive literature and other resources, as well as certain supplies. You will need to set aside an additional $200-$300 to purchase books. We have most of these books available to borrow, but you may want to purchase them on your own.

There is an initial deposit of $300 required to secure your spot in the training. Following the deposit, you can choose to pay the remaining balance in two or four installments, or you can choose to the full cost of the training ($1500) in one payment at the time of registration. All payments must be made by the first day of the training. 

We offer limited workstudy scholarships (income must be verified and interview conducted), No other types of scholarships are offered at this time, however, we do provide a sliding scale based off total household income. $30,000 or less = $1000; $30,001-$49,999= $1300; $50,000 or greater = $1500. Proof of income is required. 

All materials and supplies are purchased in advance for the training based on the number of registered participants, therefore, no refunds are issued for the training. If you decide to withdraw from the course, you will receive a credit that can be applied for future trainings with Mamatoto Village. Credits must be used within one year. You will also be assessed a fee of $150. If you do not use your credits within one year, you will forfeit your paid fees.

At the completion of the training, you have the choice for two pathways to obtain full certification; Perinatal Community Health Worker or the Perinatal Family Support Worker. 

You have two years from the date of the training to complete all the requirements for certifications as a Perinatal Community Health Worker (PCHW) or Perinatal Family Support Workers (PFSW).

Individuals who successfully complete the PCHW training will have the opportunity to apply for a full-time, part-time, or prn contract position with the organization to work with families in our Maternity Support Program, Postpartum Support Program, or Labor Support Services Program. You will also be contracted to provide childbirth classes and breastfeeding support through Mamatoto Village. 

We currently are not offering internshps through the PCHW training program. Internships are, however, available with the organization.