The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Scholarship

The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Scholarship

Application
Background

The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Scholarship was founded by Lindsey Vestal, OTR/L, Owner of The Functional Pelvis. Her mission is to increase opportunities for students and health providers to expand earlier access to care for individuals and their families during pregnancy and immediately after birth.

Goal

The goal of the Scholarship is to 1) reduce the risk of long-term perinatal complications by expanding earlier access to the information and services that families need and to 2) increase the workforce of professionals who are trained in trauma-informed maternal health. The services that the Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Scholarship expands access to include mental health support, rehabilitation, pelvic therapy, nutrition guidance, lactation support, and doula care within hospitals, homes, correctional facilities, and other institutions.

Eligibility

1. Participants who are applying to the 1) Enhanced Recovery After Delivery® 15-hour Certificate Training, 2) The Texas Occupational Therapy Association sponsored ERAD® 15-hour Certificate Training for Capstone students (2 seats), and 3) the 30-hour Perinatal Health Specialist Certification Program.

2. Applications are accepted on key issues that include, yet are not limited to:
- Accessibility to occupational and physical therapy in the hospital, home, correctional facilities, or other institutions after a live birth or perinatal loss
- Doula, lactation support, and midwifery care in the home or institutional setting to improve maternal-infant bonding, feeding, and well-being
- Training to improve mental and physical recovery after traumatic birth, perinatal complications, NICU admission, and infant health concerns
- Mental health support after cancer diagnosis during pregnancy or shortly after birth
- Caregiver training to support individuals after a major surgical birth including cesarean section or cesarean hysterectomy where rehabiliation services are not typically offered
- and other areas of need in maternal health that the applicant would like to improve
Awards

1. 50% discount applied to the Enhanced Recovery After Delivery® 15-hour certificate training: Grow an OB Rehab Program in the Hospital and Home After Birth.

2. 50% discount applied to the Enhanced Recovery After Delivery® 30-hour Perinatal Health Specialist Certification Program.

3. Capstone student access to the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) sponsored ERAD® 15-hour certificate training (2 seats).

Deadline

Rolling admission to self-paced and live programs

Program Information:
- Self-paced 15-hour, 3-month ERAD® Certificate Training
- Live, in-person 15-hour ERAD® Certificate labs: March 7, 2026 and September 12, 2026
- Hybrid 30-hour, 6-month Perinatal Health Specialist Certification Program Cohorts: January-June 2026 and July-December 2026
- Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA) sponsored ERAD® 15-hour Certificate Training with in-person lab for 2 Capstone students: November 13, 2026
Name/Representative*

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Email*
example@example.com
Student/Profession and Credentials*
e.g. 2nd year OT Student
Organization/Institution*
Indicate if Self-Employed
Have you completed any community service or advocacy activities?*

YesNo
If yes, describe:
Which of the following do you have experience with?*

Research journal publication, professional blog, or magazine articleOrganizing, creating, and/or teaching a course, webinar, or eventLocal, state, or national conference presentation including Ted Talk (virtual or live)Translation of existing training materials / information to other languagesOther
How do you plan on using The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Scholarship?*
Define your purpose and the reason that you are applying for the Scholarship.
Requirement 1: Written Submission

Submissions that violate copyright laws will not be accepted
In the form of a creative essay, story, or professional opinion piece, describe the benetifs that you believe occupational and physical therapy offers to families in the hospital or home after birth, operative delivery, or other procedures affecting maternal mental and physical function (minimum 1500 words)

For inspiration, please feel free to view the birth recovery experiences that mothers share HERE in the videos at the bottom of this webpage titled Our Inspiration.
Upload your written submission in 12-point font

1500 - 2000 words. If accepted, you will be asked for your professional bio and headshot to feature your entry on the Pelvic Health Network website/social media
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Requirement 2: Video Submission

1-minute maximum
Submit a 1 minute video pitch or "commercial" that informs the public and/or healthcare professionals on the benefits of providing occupational and physical therapy in the hospital or home within the first week after birth.
If accepted, you will be asked for your professional bio and headshot to feature your entry on the Pelvic Health Network website/social media
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By submitting this application, I hereby certify that the information I have provided is correct and to the best of my knowledge.

If I am chosen to be the recipient of The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Scholarship, I agree to have both my written and video submission published through Enhanced Recovery After Delivery® and Pelvic Health Network platforms to increase early access to direct care services and evidence-based education that impacts maternal health and the care of families.
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The Trauma-Informed Maternal Health Scholarship

Requirement 1: Written Submission

Requirement 2: Video Submission