HealthConnect One
HealthConnect One is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that trains and accredits community-based doulas, breastfeeding peer counselors, and perinatal health workers to advance birth equity in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities across 36 U.S. states and Ghana.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What HealthConnect One does
HealthConnect One is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that develops and disseminates evidence-based training programs for community-based doulas, breastfeeding and lactation peer counselors, and perinatal community health workers. Its core product is the nationally recognized Community-Based Doula Program, refined over 30+ years and structured around a five-component framework, a 20-session interactive training course, and a formal National Accreditation Program that enables replication by partner organizations. Adjacent program modules include Training of Trainers (TOTs), Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Programs, the DoulaREADI workforce program, and Early Relational Health Training Modules developed with the Center for the Study of Social Policy.
The organization serves Black, Brown, and Indigenous birthing families, addressing maternal and infant health disparities through partner organizations such as Open Arms Perinatal Services, Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association, BirthMatters, Tewa Women United, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, Uzuri Birth (Ghana), and others. Operations span 36 U.S. states across 175+ communities and 2 continents, supported by offices in Chicago, Charlotte, Asheville, and Accra. Its go-to-market is community-led: HealthConnect One co-designs and replicates programs with hospitals, maternal-child health organizations, tribal nations, and grassroots organizers rather than selling a discrete product.
Revenue derives from foundation grants (including a $1.5 million Elevance Health Foundation grant in June 2025 to fund training in six states), training and consultation fees paid by replication partners, accreditation fees, individual and corporate donations, and partnership grants. The organization is led by President & CEO Dr. Twylla Dillion and newly appointed COO Janessa Mondestin (effective June 30, 2026), holds a GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency, and operates with a small core staff (11–50 employees).
HealthConnect One firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HealthConnect One
- Legal name
- HealthConnect One
- Website
- https://healthconnectone.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HealthConnect One is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that trains and accredits community-based doulas, breastfeeding peer counselors, and perinatal health workers to advance birth equity in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities across 36 U.S. states and Ghana.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HealthConnect One industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maternal-Child Health Community Programs
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lactation, Postpartum & Perinatal Support Services (HLAFAJAN), Breastfeeding, Lactation & Infant Feeding Support (EDACAMAB), Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG)
Keywords
Where HealthConnect One is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
HealthConnect One business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Philanthropic Funding: Primary revenue source from foundation grants including a $1.5 million Elevance Health Foundation grant. The nonprofit receives funding to support doula training programs and maternal health initiatives.
- Training and Consultation Services: Revenue generated through training programs, technical support, and consultation for organizations seeking to replicate the Community-Based Doula model. Includes accreditation fees and replication partnership fees.
- Donations: Individual donations and corporate donations to support birth equity mission.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
HealthConnect One product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HealthConnect One trains community-based doulas, perinatal community health workers, and breastfeeding peer counselors through a nationally recognized evidence-based curriculum. It partners with hospitals, nonprofits, and tribal nations to replicate its Community-Based Doula Program, providing training, technical assistance, and accreditation. Its work is focused on advancing birth equity and improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities across 36 U.S. states and internationally.
Product overview
HealthConnect One operates as a national birth equity nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a traditional software product. The core offering is the nationally-recognized Community-Based Doula Program, an evidence-based model refined over 30+ years that trains community-based doulas to provide culturally sensitive support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This core program is supported by Training of Trainers (TOTs) and DoulaREADI modules for workforce development, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Programs for lactation support, and Early Relational Health Training Modules for early childhood focus. Regional initiatives like the North Carolina Doula Collaborative expand reach locally, while public awareness campaigns like 'Doulas Are for Every Body' drive broader adoption. The organization also provides advocacy, research collaboration, and formal replication partnerships with maternal-child health organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Improved breastfeeding rates
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HealthConnect One
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
HealthConnect One technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
HealthConnect One partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Uzuri BirthcorePartnership to launch Ghana's first Community-Based Doula training cohort. Uzuri Birth formalized as HealthConnect One's first certified international training partner. Fifteen graduates completed the inaugural program in Accra.
- March of DimesminorPartnership for North Carolina March for Change event, hosted by March of Dimes to advance maternal health advocacy.
- UNC School SystemminorNew community-based partnership between UNC school system and Robeson County supporting maternal health initiatives in North Carolina.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HealthConnect One competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SisterWeb: San Francisco-based community doula organization that co-presented the Doula Data Consortium Time Use Study with HealthConnect One. Operates a directly comparable community-based doula model serving communities of color.
- Ancient Song Doula Services: Brooklyn-based doula training and perinatal support organization focused on birth equity for Black and Brown families. Directly comparable mission, training model, and target beneficiary community.
- Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association: Detroit-based nonprofit focused on breastfeeding support in Black communities; an accredited replication partner of HealthConnect One. Overlapping mission around maternal-child health equity and a documented customer relationship.
- National Birth Equity Collaborative: National nonprofit focused on birth equity research, policy, and training for Black maternal and infant health. Closely aligned mission, national scope, and shared funder ecosystem with HealthConnect One.
- Uzuri Birth: Ghanaian community-based doula training organization that became HealthConnect One's first certified international training partner. Directly comparable community doula model with an explicit cross-border partnership.
- Maternity Care Coalition: Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing maternal and child health services to 135,000+ families. An existing HealthConnect One replication partner with closely aligned perinatal support programming.
Emerging players
- Commonsense Childbirth: Perinatal health organization founded by midwife Jennie Joseph, focused on improving birth outcomes in underserved communities via the JJ Way model. Overlapping equity-centered perinatal philosophy and practitioner-training approach.
Broad incumbents
- Every Mother Counts: National maternal health nonprofit founded by Christy Turlington Burns with broader advocacy, grantmaking, and global maternal health programs. Operates in the same maternal-equity category but with a wider geographic and programmatic footprint.
- March of Dimes: Large, established nonprofit addressing maternal and infant health with research, advocacy, and hospital partnerships. HealthConnect One has partnered with March of Dimes on advocacy events, indicating overlap in the maternal-health nonprofit ecosystem.
- National Healthy Start Association: Federally affiliated association supporting the federal Healthy Start program focused on reducing infant mortality in high-risk communities. Operates a network of community-based maternal-child health programs comparable in scope and target population.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HealthConnect One social profiles
Digital presenceHealthConnect One compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
HealthConnect One financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HealthConnect One leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
HealthConnect One funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HealthConnect One M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HealthConnect One
What does HealthConnect One do?
HealthConnect One trains community-based doulas, perinatal community health workers, and breastfeeding peer counselors through a nationally recognized evidence-based curriculum. It partners with hospitals, nonprofits, and tribal nations to replicate its Community-Based Doula Program, providing training, technical assistance, and accreditation. Its work is focused on advancing birth equity and improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities across 36 U.S. states and internationally.
Is HealthConnect One a public or private company?
HealthConnect One is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HealthConnect One founded?
HealthConnect One was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HealthConnect One based?
HealthConnect One is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does HealthConnect One make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants and Philanthropic Funding is the primary driver. The others are training and Consultation Services and donations.
Who are HealthConnect One's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SisterWeb, Ancient Song Doula Services, Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association, National Birth Equity Collaborative, Uzuri Birth and Maternity Care Coalition. Commonsense Childbirth is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Every Mother Counts, March of Dimes and National Healthy Start Association.
Does HealthConnect One have an API?
No public API is recorded for HealthConnect One.
What industry is HealthConnect One in?
HealthConnect One's product category is Maternal-Child Health Community Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAF, Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations, with a secondary code of HLAFAJAN, Lactation, Postpartum & Perinatal Support Services. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.