HR 1737: Perinatal responders; State of Georgia expands the workforce for birth responders who are committed to increasing the safety of families in the childbirth period; honor

House Resolution 1737

By: Representatives Cannon of the 58th, Miller of the 62nd, Adeyina of the 110th, Mitchell of the 88th, Ali of the 106th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Honoring perinatal responders as the State of Georgia expands the workforce for birth responders who are committed to increasing the safety of families in the childbirth period; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, perinatal responders are certified by CAPPA, DONA, BADT and other agencies; primarily work in rural and underserved areas of Georgia; and can assist families in births that honor traditional and ancestral linkages; and

WHEREAS, perinatal responders and doulas work during labor, in the birth process, and in the immediate postpartum time, offering support, encouragement, information, comfort, and referrals as needed; and

WHEREAS, labor doulas can be found working in the community in private practice, in cooperatives, as part of groups or agencies, as well as serving in various community programs such as Morehouse school of medicine's center for maternal health equity; and

WHEREAS, doulas treat family with respect, courtesy, fairness, serving people of any age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or marital status and uphold federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances; and

WHEREAS, perinatal responders including Rhonda Barlow, Shanna Cox, Tracy Woods, Eden Labbé, Alexis Pitts, Mariah Wall, Imaijah Bernardezruiz, Janiah Collier, Ally Williams, Tanessa Mcrae, Shaconna Haley, Qai Hinds, Georgette Peterson, LaCresha Cunningham, Amirah Peters,Asia Hinds, Diana Mendoza, Destiny Saucedo, Trinity Johnson, Ziah McKinney, Kathryn Kravetz Carr, Kelle Pressley, Za'Kiesha Blanks, Shanelle Hall, Nia Harper, Robert Saba, Chanel Stryker, and Clintisha Flemming play a vital role in the care of infants and families in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, organizations such as Tassora Doula and Family Care Services , Georgia Black Doula Network, The Haven @ Hebron, Wellstar Hospital, Healing InnerG, Doula of the Divine, LAMIS, NCNW, LAMIS Women's Health Institute, Brown Bosom Babies, LLC, Harmonia Sanctuary & Services, InnerLight Holistic Doula & Perinatal Consulting, LLC, Spelman College - LAMIS Women's Health Leadership Institute, GBDN, I'm a Angel 2, Healing Sacred Scars Foundation, Atlanta resident, BMMA Inc., Fruits of Labor, LAMIS Women's Health Leadership Institute, Crossroads and Origins nurse-midwives, The Pink Grasshopper Full Spectrum Doula & Training Services, The Power Of Love Birth Services, Lamis Women's Health Leadership Institute, EcoFemme Doula, and Lavender Honey Stories provide families with exceptional care though the birth and postpartum process.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor the dedication, hard work, and outstanding care provided by perinatal responders on behalf of families in the State of Georgia. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.