Growing the Next Generation of Doulas in LA County

Health care access

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The maternal health crisis disproportionately impacts BIPOC communities in Los Angeles, with stark disparities in outcomes. Black women, for instance, are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, and BIPOC infants face higher rates of preterm birth and infant mortality. Systemic barriers, such as limited access to culturally competent care, distrust of providers, and financial constraints, prevent many from accessing essential support like doulas.
Doulas provide emotional, physical, and advocacy support that improves maternal and infant health outcomes, yet this critical resource remains inaccessible for many due to cost and availability. Medi-Cal now covers doula services, but a lack of trained and diverse doulas limits its impact. Addressing this issue now is urgent to reduce preventable deaths, dismantle systemic inequities in reproductive healthcare, ultimately fostering healthier futures for BIPOC families in Los Angeles County.

This grant will support our comprehensive initiative to expand culturally competent doula services in Los Angeles County, addressing systemic disparities in maternal and infant health. The Doula of Color Training Program is central to this effort, offering full-spectrum training that equips diverse doulas with the skills to provide evidence based, culturally aligned care. By prioritizing recruitment from marginalized communities, especially immigrant and refugee populations, the program fosters a workforce reflective of the populations it serves. This is especially important given the recent increase in immigration enforcement fueling more fear and distrust accessing essential healthcare and social services.
Additionally, we will implement Medi-Cal Doula information workshops for community members and Medi-Cal Doula enrollment support for doulas. These sessions will demystify Medi-Cal enrollment processes, streamline access to doula benefits, and educate participants on the transformative role of doulas in reducing adverse birth outcomes. Through webinars, one-on-one support, and community outreach, we aim to increase awareness, improve benefit utilization, and eliminate administrative barriers to care.
This integrated approach—combining workforce diversification, skill development, and systemic advocacy—directly addresses racial disparities in maternal health, ensuring that all birthing individuals in Los Angeles County receive the respectful, personalized care they deserve

Our goal is that Los Angeles County will become a model for equitable maternal health care, where every birthing individual, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, has access to culturally competent doula services. In the short term, we aim to train and mentor additional doulas of color, expand awareness of Medi-Cal doula benefits through outreach and education, and remove administrative and financial barriers to accessing doula care.

In the long term, our model will scale to serve all communities across California, leveraging trained doulas as advocates and navigators within the healthcare system. Enhanced visibility and education efforts will foster broader community buy-in, while our policy advocacy will promote systemic reforms that prioritize inclusive, patient-centered care. This transformative approach will establish a sustainable framework for reducing disparities, empowering families, and creating a healthier, more equitable future for all Angelenos.