02/26/2026
I love to see this way to go Monroe county👏🏾👏🏾💪🏾
Sheriff Troy Goodnough is proud to announce the launch of a new doula services program for
incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women in the Monroe County Jail. This initiative, the first
of its kind in a Michigan county sheriff’s office jail, utilizes a community-based model of care to
provide critical social support, childbirth education, and assistance during pregnancy, labor,
delivery, and the postpartum period.
The program was championed by Sheriff Goodnough after learning about similar successful
programs at the National Sheriffs' Association Conference. “We are committed to ensuring that
pregnant women have the necessary resources for a healthy birth,” said Sheriff Goodnough. “By
providing a doula, we aim to improve inmate mental health and lower su***de ideation during an
incredibly high-stress time. This is about providing essential social support and a continuity of
care that helps these women navigate pregnancy and postpartum symptoms. The program will
provide compassionate, supportive care to some of our most vulnerable inmates.”
The Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Emily Richter of Parade Birth Services LLC to serve as
the program’s doula. The program will operate as a key component of the Monroe County
Sheriff's Office Family Support Services Unit (FSSU).
The initiative also includes collaboration with local organizations to provide community
resources as inmates are released from custody, including:
●Monroe County Health Department: Offering referrals for the Maternal Infant Health
Program, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Breastfeeding Support, and the Helping
Baby Grow program.
●Selah’s House: T.H.R.I.V.E. residential program for expecting mothers of all ages.
Selah’s House offers physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational support through each
stage of pregnancy. Selah’s House also provides education and career skills to help guide
residents into independent living.