(Black PR Wire) Miami, FL – Florida Clinicians for Climate Action (FCCA) is thrilled to announce the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Center for Disease Foundation aimed at preparing pregnant individuals for climate-related disasters in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Expanding on FCCA’s proprietary Climate Health Outreach Team program (C-HOT), this groundbreaking project, Doula C-HOT, will empower local doulas through specialized training to utilize risk assessment tools to identify and address pregnant people needs in case of disasters such as floods and extreme heat.

In collaboration with Metro Mommy Agency, FCCA will train doulas to recognize climate-related health risks and implement effective interventions for pregnant individuals facing unique challenges in our rapidly changing environment. The grant is effective immediately and will be operational through December 2026.

Doulas play a vital role in supporting pregnant individuals throughout their journey, and through this partnership, they will receive training on identifying risk factors associated with climate change, as well as effective interventions to improve health outcomes.

"Climate change is a significant public health issue that affects vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant individuals and their babies," said FCCA Executive Director Dr. Cheryl Holder, MD. "With this funding, we aim to explore these effects in depth and equip doulas with the necessary skills to provide informed and timely support."

As part of the initiative, FCCA and Metro Mommy Agency will assess how climate-related factors, such as extreme heat and air quality, influence maternal health outcomes. The findings could help inform healthcare practices and policy decisions in Miami-Dade County and beyond.

"We're excited to join forces with FCCA on this critical initiative," said Esther McCant, CD, CLC, HBCE, Founder and CEO of Metro Mommy Agency. "Our doulas are already deeply committed to supporting their clients, and this training will enhance their ability to address climate-related health concerns."

Florida Clinicians for Climate Action is dedicated to advancing the understanding of climate change’s health implications and promoting equitable healthcare access in Florida. This grant marks a significant step forward in addressing the intersection of climate and maternal health.

For more information about the project, partnership opportunities, or to learn how you can support FCCA’s mission, please visit floridaclinicians.org.

About Florida Clinicians for Climate Action (FCCA)

Florida Clinicians for Climate Action is a coalition of healthcare professionals committed to addressing the public health impacts of climate change through education, engagement and advocacy. Our mission is to promote a healthy, sustainable, and equitiable future for all Floridians.

Florida Clinicians for Climate Action was formed in January of 2018 at the Florida Climate & Health Equity Symposium, which was a collaboration between the National Medical Association, the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, the Florida state chapter of the National Medical Association and The Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health. The organization is operated by clinicians and exists as a first stop for anyone seeking to work at the intersection of climate and health in Florida.

About Metro Mommy Agency

Metro Mommy Agency is a community-focused organization dedicated to supporting pregnant individuals and families through personalized care and education. Their mission is to empower families during the transformative journey of pregnancy and parenthood.

Metro Mommy Agency was awarded federal grant funds to support work to improve the lives of families in Miami-Dade County. Through the CDC/DOH funded MOMCHA (Making Optimal Maternal Child Health Accessible) Program, MMA is conducting research on the perspectives of black women and doulas and developed a curriculum, “What Do Doulas Do” to train healthcare providers on the role of doulas and integrate doulas into their referrals. The Health Foundation of South Florida is providing funding for MMA through the implementation of the BLACK

MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH COLLABORATIVE OF MIAMI-DADE to reduce maternal and infant deaths and morbidity as well as sustaining doula work in South Florida. Current MOMCHA Program partners include UniteUs, The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial,

YWCA of South Florida, Magnolia Birth House, FIU Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, Southern Birth Justice Network, Jessie Trice Community Health Systems, Banyan Health Systems, BCOM Health, and Community Care Plan.

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For media inquiries, please contact Bridget Sewell at fcca@floridaclinicians.org.