Supporting healthy perinatal experiences and an empowered doula workforce in Los Angeles County.
Our Vision
The Doula Hub’s ultimate vision is to contribute to healthy perinatal experiences by supporting an empowered doula workforce that prioritizes birthing families most at risk of adverse birth outcomes and to advance birth justice for families that reside in the culturally diverse communities of LA County.
In response to the natural disasters occurring in Los Angeles, we have compiled a resource list for people affected by the wildfires. Read our launch statement and list of wildfire emergency resources.
A DOULA ON EVERY BLOCK
We believe that any Medi-Cal beneficiary who desires the affirming support of full spectrum doula care should be able to receive it.
Educate.
We Educate
by sharing information and innovative care approaches with doulas and families, and by guiding doulas to navigate this emerging professional workforce.
Connect.
We Connect
communities, families, caregivers, and providers to resources and the safe spaces needed to cultivate healthy perinatal ecosystems within LA County.
Advocate.
We Advocate
for doulas and the birthing families they serve to improve full spectrum birth and postpartum outcomes in LA County.
We center Birth Equity, Reproductive Justice, and Human Rights at birth and beyond. We value the voices from our communities and uplift those who have been historically marginalized and lack access to equitable culturally attuned support before, during, and after birth.
About the LA County Medi-Cal Doula Hub
The Los Angeles County Medi-Cal Doula Hub (The Doula Hub), in collaboration with the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH), will support the roll out of the Medi-Cal Doula Benefit by providing workforce development for doulas and public education to county residents about the positive impact of doula care in efforts to address the current perinatal and infant health disparities.
Frontline Doulas, in partnership with Diversity Uplifts, Inc., is the lead community agency for the Los Angeles County Medi-Cal Doula Hub.
The Doula Hub works collaboratively with birthworkers, Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs), community partners, and Medi-Cal beneficiaries through a strategic community centered approach to increase access to doulas for birthing and postpartum families, particularly those in marginalized communities who need it most.
Innovative Solutions to Systemic Challenges
The Doula Hub will focus on five key areas to ensure the success of California’s groundbreaking Medi-Cal Doula Benefit, which became available in 2023:
Training and System Integration: Preparing new and existing doulas to thrive in healthcare systems.
Public Awareness: Educating Medi-Cal members, providers, and communities about the value and availability of doula care services.
Technical Assistance for Doulas: Supporting doulas to become approved, contracted Medi-Cal providers, from application support to billing and legal resources to meet contracting and compliance requirements.
Workforce Development: Strengthening and expanding the doula workforce via trainings and continuing education.
Model Evaluation: Measuring the Doula Hub’s impact to inform future efforts.
The Doula Hub and partners will convene a quarterly Doula Hub Advisory Council, with representation from doulas, advocates, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and community partners, to guide these areas and ensure equity and inclusivity remain at the forefront.
Contact us.
Do you have questions about the Doula Hub or our other programs? Reach out! We’d love to connect with and support you.
Subscribe to the Doula Hub Newsletter.
Stay informed.
Connect with us and join the conversation. Together, we can commit to birth justice in our community.
The Doula Hub is Brought to You by:
Frontline Doulas, in partnership with Diversity Uplifts, Inc., is the lead community agency for The Doula Hub and is spearheading this groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH).
With Funding from:
This project is funded through the LA Partnership for LA Childhood Investment with additional support from the Annenberg Foundation, Ballmer Group, California Health Care Foundation, Cedars-Sinai, Health Net, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, and L.A. Care Health Plan.