Bland Manlove, Bosley secure funds for doula training

Line item will honor the late Cora Faith Walker

Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — State Reps. Ashley Bland Manlove, D-Kansas City, and LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis, secured $500,000 in the FY 2023 budget for the “Cora Faith Walker Doula Training Program.” The House Budget Committee adopted Bland Manlove’s amendment during the budget markup process Thursday.

“Doulas perform essential work for new and expecting mothers, helping them through some of the most difficult steps of parenthood,” Bland Manlove said. “I cannot think of a better use of these funds, nor a better way to honor the late Cora Faith Walker.”

The amendment provides funding to state Department of Health and Senior Services for the creation of this training program. Bland Manlove cited Missouri’s high rates of maternal and infant mortality as reason to invest funds in a profession proven to protect young children and mothers.

Missouri ranks 42nd in maternal mortality and 35th in infant mortality. A 2013 study from the Journal of Perinatal Health noted children of doula-assisted mothers were four times less likely to have a low birth weight and half as likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby.

The program will be named in honor of the late former State Rep. Cora Faith Walker, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. During her time in the legislature, she often offered bills and budgetary amendments to improve the health and well-being of mothers and infants.

“Cora Faith Walker devoted so much of her life to helping keep moms and kids happy and healthy, and naming this fund in her honor continues her legacy,” Bosley said.