Ashley Minihan Founder and Lead Doula, Empowered Beginnings Ashley Minihan is a doula, childbirth educator, and founder of Empowered Beginnings, a Connecticut-based organization providing holistic, community-centered support to families before, during, and after birth. Her work emphasizes education, trust, and connection to ensure parents feel informed and supported throughout the perinatal period. Ashley also provides […]
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Webinar: Minnesota’s Healthy Start Act
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 12:00-1:00pm CT | Via Zoom Minnesota passed the landmark Healthy Start Act (HSA) in 2021, allowing the state’s Commissioner of Corrections to conditionally release sentenced, pregnant and postpartum people into community-based alternatives for the duration of the pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. This webinar will summarize a recent evaluation […]
Community-Engaged, Reproductive Health Research Within the Carceral System: Reflections & Lessons Learned
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 11:00am-12:30pm CT | Via Zoom Individuals with criminal legal system involvement have often been systematically excluded from the process of conducting research. Panelists will discuss their involvement in community-engaged research projects at the intersection of the criminal legal system and reproductive health, as researchers, participants and university instructors. Participants will learn […]
Reproductive Health Care Legislation For Incarcerated People
From the National University-Based Collaborative on Justice-Involved Women & Children (JIWC) and Advocacy and Research on Reproductive Wellness of Incarcerated People (AARWIP) August 2024 Executive Summary: This table summarizes the most recent state-level legislation expanding or improving access to reproductive health care for incarcerated people, which includes limits to shackling during pregnancy and postpartum, provision […]
Little Eyes, Big Eyes (LEBE)
About Minnesota is home to 11 Tribal Nations and over 68,000 Native Americans. Due to systemic barriers, these communities often face higher poverty rates and limited access to preventive healthcare. The Little Eyes, Big Eyes (LEBE) initiative was created by VHMN to bridge these gaps. We center Native American experiences to provide culturally sensitive, equitable […]
JIWC RA
1) SUPPORT JIWC EFFORTS (~6 hrs/wk)
JIWC Community Spotlight: Alicia Roach
Alicia Roach, Doula and Certified Breastfeeding Educator, Birthing with Dignity Doula Services Alicia Roach is a doula and certified breastfeeding educator based in Portland, Oregon. She promotes safe, supportive, and empowering birthing experiences for her clients. Alicia was formerly incarcerated while pregnant and her firsthand experience inspired her to testify for a bill establishing a […]
JIWC Community Spotlight: The Lotus Alliance
The Lotus Alliance is a prison doula project in Columbia, South Carolina. The project’s co-directors, Kaylin Smith and Sadie Whitehead, work in coalition with other doulas, medical students and doctors to provide support in the Camille Graham Correctional Institution throughout pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Sadie and Kaylin were instrumental in pushing forward an anti-shackling bill […]
Abortion Access for Incarcerated People in the U.S.
A State Policy Brief from the National University-Based Collaborative on Justice-Involved Women & Children (JIWC) May 2023 Download PDF Executive Summary: Without the constitutional protection of abortion, access is entirely dependent on state laws. Before Roe was overturned, only 4 U.S. states had laws on abortion for incarcerated people in the U.S. In the last […]
Breastfeeding Support for Incarcerated People in the U.S.
A State Policy Brief from the national JIWC April 2023
Alternatives to Incarceration for Pregnant & Postpartum People: A Summary of State & Federal Laws
A State Policy Brief from the National JIWC March 2023
Spotlight on the Center’s Vision Health Work
The Center is proud to be a part of the Minnesota Vision Health Task Force, which works to improve vision and eye health in young children. This work is led by Minneapolis Public Schools’ Office of Early Childhood Education, and receives some support through Center staff and student technical assistance. Select MCH Student and Alumni […]
Funding, Job Boards & Financial Aid
For Current Students If you don’t meet the requirements for a Center-funded position, or would like other options, you can look into the following: Dr. “Lou” Scholarship (see below) Financial aid, loans and grants SPH employment opportunities SPH scholarships and funding State of Minnesota student positions (select “Intern/Student Worker” under “Position Type”) UMN’s Human Resources You […]
A Statement from the MCH Program and the Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health at the UMN School of Public Health on the Supreme Court’s Decision on Dobbs vs Jackson Women’s Health Organization
The Supreme Court’s final majority decision on June 24, 2022, overturning federal rights to abortion, is a direct injury to the health and wellbeing of families, communities, and our society. It will lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including increased rates of infant and maternal mortality (Grossman & Jacobowitz, 1981; Pabayo et al., 2020; Hoyert, […]
Promoting and Protecting the Health of MCH Populations
Learn more, educate others, support our community partners, and build, rebuild, and restore policies, programs, and systems that ensure access to reproductive healthcare services. Learn more This Department of Health and Human Services webpage has info on how/where to receive care, health insurance coverage (and where to go if you don’t have coverage), birth control, […]