Kendall Smith-McCombs
Summary
Dedicated Community Health Worker and Doula with demonstrated experience supporting high risk families and maternal and infant health initiatives. Skilled in outreach, care coordination, health education , and resource navigation to reduce disparities and improve birth outcomes. Experienced in working collaboratively with community partners, healthcare providers, and social service agencies to deliver culturally responsive, trauma informed support. Strong ability to document services, track outcomes and align programming with grant objectives and compliance requirements. Passionate about advancing health equity and strengthening families through evidence based education, advocacy, and community engagement.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Community Health Worker
New Destiny Family Success Center
Paterson, New Jersey
09.2023 - Current
- Conduct individualized service plans to improve maternal and family health outcomes.
- Facilitate health education sessions on prenatal care, nutrition, breastfeeding, safe sleep, birth planning and postpartum recovery.
- Connect families to WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, mental health services and childcare assistance programs.
- Assist in data collection in maintaining accurate documentation.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders, including healthcare providers, schools, faith-based organizations, social service agencies, and local community partners to coordinate comprehensive support services.
- Participate in community coalitions and stakeholders meetings to address social determinants of health and promote equitable service.
- Maintain accurate documentation and assist with data collection to support program evaluation and grant reporting requirements.
Full Spectrum Doula
Yemaya Nurturing Doula Services
Maplewood, New Jersey
09.2022 - Current
- Improved client satisfaction by providing personalized emotional, physical and educational support throughout the pregnancy and birthing process.
- Develop trusting relationships with clients by actively listening to their concerns and addressing their needs during prenatal visits.
- Support families in making informed decision about childbirth options by sharing evidence based information.
- Help reduce birth intervention by effective communication and advocacy during the labor process
- Supported clients through emotional and physical challenges during pregnancy and postpartum periods.
- Educated expectant families on birthing options, newborn care, and breastfeeding techniques.
- Developed personalized birth plans tailored to individual client preferences and needs.
- Facilitated communication between clients and healthcare providers to ensure informed decision-making.
- Connected families with community resources such as lactation consultants or pediatricians when additional support was needed beyond my scope of practice as a doula.
Teacher
Union County Educational Services Commission
01.2017 - 06.2021
- Increased student literacy rates by implementing targeted reading strategies in individualized instruction plans.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Collaborated with teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted understanding among students.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Fostered inclusive classroom environments to support diverse learning needs.
- Assessed student performance and provided timely feedback to enhance learning outcomes.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design cross-curricular projects promoting critical thinking skills.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Teacher Assistant
Morris Union Jointure Commission
10.2013 - 11.2016
- Assisted with implementing instructional and behavioral plans as it applies to the overall success of the individual student.
- Implement errorless learning and home base ABA instruction.
- Perform related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.
- Assisted classroom instruction by preparing materials and supporting student learning objectives.
- Developed individualized education plans in collaboration with teachers and specialists.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to foster positive classroom environments.
- Facilitated communication between students, parents, and educators to enhance support systems.
Education
BS - Accounting
Morgan State University
05-1986
Community Doula Certification -
HealthConnect One/Partnership For Maternal & Child Health
09-2022
Skills
- Community Resource Navigation
- Prenatal, Labor, Postpartum Support
- Lactation Consultant
- Experience with special needs
- Health Education & Outreach
- Care Coordination
- Maternal Health Advocate
- Organized and detail oriented
- Supervisory experience
- HIPAA guidelines
- Resource advocacy
Certification
- Substitute Teacher License N.J
- VBAC
- CPR- AED, adult & infant
- Spinning Babies
Timeline
Community Health Worker
New Destiny Family Success Center
09.2023 - Current
Full Spectrum Doula
Yemaya Nurturing Doula Services
09.2022 - Current
Teacher
Union County Educational Services Commission
01.2017 - 06.2021
Teacher Assistant
Morris Union Jointure Commission
10.2013 - 11.2016
BS - Accounting
Morgan State University
Community Doula Certification -
HealthConnect One/Partnership For Maternal & Child Health