Strong Start Doulas
The Strong Start Doula program offers perinatal doula support to families in Erie, Crawford, and Warren Counties. As an enhancement to the Parents as Teachers program it pairs each participant with a Certified Perinatal Doula and a Parent Educator to provide individualized support throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. The program is designed to improve birth outcomes, enhance maternal well-being, and ensure that families have access to evidence-based care and resources during the early stages of parenthood.
What to Know About Getting Started
We’re excited to offer free doula services for families enrolled in Parents as Teachers! Here’s what to expect:
- You’ll need to be enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program – we’ll help you with that if you’re not already!
- You should be pregnant when you sign up for doula support (the earlier, the better!).
- You’ll receive personalized prenatal visits from your doula to help you prepare for birth and beyond.
- Your doula will provide continuous support during labor and delivery – someone by your side every step of the way.
- After your baby arrives, your doula will check in with you for postpartum support to make sure you’re feeling confident and cared for.
- We ask that you stay connected with your PAT educator and doula throughout the journey so we can give you the best support possible.
Program Details
Location: In-Home Visits
✓ Prenatal visits to plan for birth and postpartum
✓ Labor and birth support
✓ Postpartum visits for mom and baby wellness
✓ Free to families living in Erie, Warren, and Crawford Counties
Program Goals
✓ Education and empowerment to plan for birth and postpartum
✓ Physical and emotional support during labor
✓ Postpartum support can help relieve worry when bringing baby home
What to Expect
Prenatal visits focus on pregnancy wellness, creating a birth plan, and preparing for post-partum healing. When in labor the doula will meet at the planned birthing space and provide support until baby arrives, and the family is settled. Post-partum visits begin after the family returns home. The focus of these visits will be mom and baby's wellness. Post-partum visits can look different for every family depending on their need!
Who Can Attend?
Must be pregnant, or newly post-partum and live in North Western Pennsylvania. No income or demographic restrictions to receive doula support.
Gabby Eppolito-Holland
Certified Perinatal Doula | Childbirth Educator
Gabby is a dedicated Certified Perinatal Doula with a passion for educating and supporting mothers. Her goal? To inform, uplift, and empower mothers throughout their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum journey. Gabby is an advocate for self-love and wellness, showing women how to nourish themselves with self-care, healthful foods, and daily movement to ensure both mom and baby thrive. With a plethora of experience, Gabby's skills are as diverse as they are impressive. Gabby is dedicated to supporting you through every step,whether you're considering a home birth, scheduling a c-section, or navigating the hospital setting. Your experience is her priority!
Taylor Botros
Doula
Taylor is a calming, grounded presence for families navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. As a dedicated birth worker, she provides emotional, physical, and informational support tailored to your needs—whether you're confident, uncertain, or somewhere in between. With a deep respect for each family’s unique values and choices, Taylor helps you feel empowered, informed, and heard. Her goal is to create a safe, inclusive space where your voice matters and your confidence grows.
Heather Williams
Doula
As a mother of two and stepmother of one, I bring both personal and professional insight to my work as a doula. I offer calm, compassionate support through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum—drawing from my own journey to nurture and empower families. With a love for gardening and a heart for caregiving, I’m here to help you feel seen, supported, and confident every step of the way.
Doula FAQs
Translation Services Available
If you need help with translating any programs or content within Erie Family Center, please complete the form and a staff member will be in touch. Translations available include, but are not limited to: Spanish, Bosnian, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Nepali, Swahili, Somali, Burmese, Pashto & Dari.
Testimonials
"Gabby was amazing, she helped me keep calm and speak up when the doctor wasn't following my birth plan and made me uncomfortable. I don't know what I would've done without her. She is an all around generally sweet person and she even helped keep dad from passing out! "
"A lot of it was a blur, I remember going from the tub to the bathroom to the bed but at some point during the time in the bed dad was getting lightheaded and gabby reached over and grabbed his shirt and dabbed lavender oil on it, it made me laugh when I felt like I was going to black out. Definitely helped keep us both level. She also braided my hair for me after I showered because I couldn't with the IV in my had. She absolutely made it an all around better experience. "
All of our programs are funded through the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Erie County of Children and Youth, and free to all residents of Erie County.