The Wisconsin Doulas Association (WDA) will host its 2026 Statewide Doula Conference, Collective Knowledge, on February 27–28, bringing together doulas, maternal health workers, nurses, midwives, public health leaders, mental health professionals, tribal representatives, and birth justice advocates from across Wisconsin. The event will be held at the Oneida Casino Hotel, 2020 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI 54313.

This biennial event focuses on strengthening Wisconsin’s perinatal workforce through hands-on education, regional leadership development, policy engagement, and culturally grounded care practices. 

Doulas play a critical role in improving maternal and infant outcomes by, supporting families between clinical touchpoints, reducing stress and unnecessary interventions, increasing patient satisfaction and strengthening communication between families and providers.

Through workforce development, regional leadership, and policy engagement, this conference advances a sustainable model for integrating doulas within Wisconsin’s broader maternal health system.

Wisconsin continues to face maternal health disparities, workforce shortages, and uneven access to culturally responsive perinatal support — particularly in rural, tribal, and underserved communities. 

There are several opportunities for media to engage with the event, including:

• Interviews with WDA leadership and regional coordinators
• Remarks from Governor Tony Evers (video message)
• Special appearance by gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong
• Coverage of Indigenous doulas storytelling session
• Hands-on birth skills demonstrations (labor positioning tools, newborn tools)
• Insight into Wisconsin’s maternal health workforce trends
• Medicaid and insurance reimbursement policy discussions
• Vendor fair featuring Wisconsin-based birthwork organizations 

Quick Conference Highlights for Media Scheduling: 

Friday, February 27 

• Hands-on skills stations: Comfortable Upright Birth (CUB), hospital bed positioning, newborn support tools
• Indigenous doulas: history, storytelling, and lived experience
• Statewide policy and Title V updates impacting the doula workforce
• Networking reception and exhibitor hall 

Saturday, February 28 

• Keynote address by Bianca Shaw, Wisconsin Women’s Network
• Contracts & legal protections for doulas session
• Maternal mental health panel
• Vaccine communication & scope-of-practice panel
• Regional networking lunch
• WDA Annual Meeting

MEDIA RSVP 

Media are encouraged to attend all or part of the event. To schedule interviews or confirm attendance, contact emily@widoulas.org.