PURPOSE:
The United States is facing a maternal health crisis, with disproportionately high mortality rates among Black, Indigenous, and rural communities. A key driver of these disparities is the lack of access to community-based maternity care, particularly in the Deep South and other underserved regions. The Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (MEAC), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting body, launched the Midwifery Education Expansion Project to directly address these gaps by increasing the availability of accredited midwifery education programs where they are needed most.

DISCUSSION:
Historically, MEAC functioned in a traditional regulatory capacity. However, with increasing disparities and demand for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), MEAC began identifying ways to expand its impact beyond compliance. The Expansion Project was developed to support institutions in underserved areas, starting with the U.S. South, in developing new, accredited midwifery programs. States prioritized include Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
The Southern United States is home to more than 56% of the nation’s Black population. There are currently no MEAC-accredited midwifery schools in this region.

KEY MESSAGE:
This presentation shares MEAC’s experience in implementing the initiative, including how target regions were selected, the forms of technical assistance being offered to prospective schools, and the ways in which accreditation standards support sustainable, community-centered program development. The project is also contributing to workforce diversification, particularly among Black and Indigenous midwives, by supporting community-based pathways into the profession. Attendees will gain insight into the evolving role of accrediting bodies in shaping health systems and educational access. The session offers practical lessons from MEAC’s approach to partnership-building, strategic planning, and policy navigation. It also examines how accrediting agencies can operate as facilitators of systemic change while remaining grounded in the core principles of educational quality and professional accountability. This abstract contributes to broader global conversations about how to develop one million more midwives. Professional development - identity (including three-minute presentation competition)