US MERA: How to Put it to Use for CPMs

November 19, 2015

The US MERA collaboration agreements (2015 REPORT) have generated much energy and excitement, along with the promise of new opportunities and new allies, in the effort to license CPMs in all 50 states.  At the same time, CPMs and state advocates have many questions about how to bring alive the projects and tools emerging from US MERA in their state initiatives, and about how the US MERA project to increase access to and affordability of midwifery education will be of support to advocates on the ground.

In a previous webinar, US MERA:  What It Could Mean for CPMs, we discussed with you the purpose, history, accomplishments and agreements of US MERA.  This additional webinar explained more about the new Consensus Principles for Model Regulation, the NARM Midwifery Bridge Certificate, Innovations in Midwifery Education, and about one state’s coalition and consensus-building efforts to license CPMs in their state.

Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko, MPH, NACPM strategic consultant and MEAC representative to US MERA, described the US MERA Principles of Model Midwifery Legislation & Regulation:  how they were developed, what they are, and how they can be of use to state advocates. Download Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko’s presentation slides
Ida Darragh, CPM, Chair of NARM, presented the Midwifery Bridge Certificate and the role it is playing in new state CPM licensure bills. Download Ida Darragh’s presentation slides

Kristi Ridd-Young, President of the Midwives College of Utah and MEAC representative to US MERA, described the current range of MEAC-accredited schools available to students today. Download Kristi Ridd-Young’s presentation slides

Mary Lawlor, CPM, Executive Director of NACPM, shared exciting new developments for applying innovations in higher education to increasing access to and affordability of training of midwives. Download Mary Lawlor’s presentation slides

Ellie Daniels, CPM of Maine and President of NACPM, discussed Maine’s groundbreaking multi-stakeholder collaboration to develop legislation to license CPMs in her state, based on US MERA agreements. Download Ellie Daniels’ presentation slides