About the RI Midwifery Initiative

Urban Perinatal Education Center (UPEC) is partnering with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Department of Maternal Child Health to establish an expansive midwifery workforce in RI and improve perinatal outcomes in the State of Rhode Island.

The mission of the Urban Perinatal Education Center is to create a space for perinatal equity through three lenses: culturally congruent care and community, supporting equity in care, and building a workforce for change. Through the Maternal Health Innovation grant UPEC is implementing the Certified Professional Midwifery (CPM) Initiative alongside other maternal health projects with RIDOH. The collaborative development plans to promote a culturally competent midwifery program with a focus on attracting a more diverse student body will serve to provide concordant care to people of reproductive age in Rhode Island, as midwives of color are uniquely positioned to address the economic, political, and social determinants of health that impact people of color.

The RI Midwifery Initiative addresses the disparaging data in maternal health birth outcomes in the state of Rhode Island. The efforts of the Urban Perinatal Education Center are intentionally centered in equity promotion for health care and in support of the implementation of a culturally concordant and congruent Midwifery workforce.

This program (or equity initiative) is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the State Maternal Health Innovation grant awarded to the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Urban Perinatal Education Center.

Rhode Island Dept of Health licenses three professions of Midwifery. The Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Midwife (CM), and the Certified Professional Midwife/Licensed Midwife (LM). The CNM and CM are trained to work in hospital based setting. The CPM/LM is exclusively trained to work in community/home based setting and birth center settings, often referred to as Community Midwifery. This initiative will advance and expand the Midwifery workforce to address both RIDOH and RI EOHHS priorities. 

Rhode Island Midwifery Initiative

Preliminary Inquiry Application opens October 15, 2025

Eligibility for the Rhode Island Midwifery Initiative

The Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Midwife (CM)  are trained to work in hospital based setting. The Certified Professional Midwife/Licensed Midwife (LM)CPM/LM is exclusively trained to work in community/home based setting and birth center settings, often referred to as Community Midwifery. 

Certified Professional Midwifery Pathway (Scholarship)

High School Graduate or GED
Rhode Island resident ONLY (minimum of three years)
Accepted and enrolled as a student into MEAC accredited school  (prerequisites completed prior)

Certified Nursing Midwifery Pathway (Scholarship)

Registered Nurse
Rhode Island resident ONLY (minimum of one year)
Accepted and enrolled as a student into Nurse-Midwifery school (prerequisites completed prior)
Letter of preceptorship collaboration participation with low staffed birthing hospital (Landmark, Kent, or South County Hospital) 

Certified Midwifery Pathway (Scholarship)

Bachelor's Degree
Rhode Island resident ONLY (minimum of one year)
Accepted and enrolled as a student into Certified Midwifery school (prerequisites completed prior)
Letter of preceptorship collaboration participation with low staffed birthing hospital (Landmark, Kent, or South County Hospital)

Midwifery Application Assistance Program (Scholarship) 

Rhode Island resident
Applying for completion of prerequisites for Certified Professional Midwifery and Certified Midwifery program

Eligibility does not denote automatic acceptance into the RI Midwifery Initiative ; Applicants can not have prior initiative acceptance

This initiative may potentially change the following year. 

RI Midwifery Initiative 

Tuition Financial Assistance (paid directly to School)

One time payment towards tuition scholarship assistance paid directly to accepted institution with proof of completion requirements in the program being met each year. RI resident must be enrolled and accepted. 

Prerequisite Assistance (arrangements made through our Sophia Learning) 

Reimbursement model of prerequisites for applicants for those who are seeking to apply into Midwifery program through the Sophia Learning partnership program with the Urban Perinatal Education Center. Exceptions are made for courses not provided by Sophia Learning (ex. pathophysiology and clinical research) 

Sustainability Equity Assistance 

For eligible students clinical provisions of sustainability may include assistance with books. 

Let's Grow RI Midwives.