Our Community Impact
Meet Gabriella.
Hear how having a Doula empowered her during her pregnancy & birth.
Community-Based Research
The DOULA CO-OP is participating in the NIH Connecting the Community for Maternal Health Challenge. Selected as one the top 9 teams across the country for this challenge, the DOULA CO-OP is implementing a novel, community-based research study impacting underserved birthing families in Nevada.
Grassroots Legislative Action
Recognizing the lack of financial incentive from local doulas in Nevada to certify and enroll with the state/MCOs as Medicaid providers, the DOULA CO-OP connected with Assemblywoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong to bring a doula rate increase bill to the 82nd legislative session (AB283). The DOULA CO-OP gathered our team across Washoe and Clark County to write and present the bill to Assembly and Senate committees, successfully increasing the reimbursement rate to a livable wage for urban doulas, and with an added 10% incentive increase for doulas in rural Nevada.
Doula Access Program (DAP)
The DOULA CO-OP has established the first community doula program in the state of Nevada. Doulas have been integrating into the care teams at Renown L&D and Postpartum in Washoe County over the past 2 years. In coming phases of the program, pregnant individuals will have increased access to Doula support and knowledge in the hospital and prenatally through Renown Women’s Health.
Community Partnerships
The DOULA CO-OP is collaborating to create partnerships with local organizations and agencies to bring education and access to Doula services for pregnant Medicaid and uninsured families. We are excited to spotlight one of our first community partners, Molina Healthcare. They have chosen the DOULA CO-OP as a recipient of their annual Community Reinvestment Program, and with their generous donation we can continue building the foundation of the DOULA CO-OP, ultimately bringing more opportunities & education to families and Doulas in our communities.
Workforce Development & Doula Scholarships
The DOULA CO-OP currently hosts over 50 doula members across the state of Nevada providing a hub for networking, collaboration, and resource-sharing opportunities. United Healthcare Health Plan of Nevada has supported 10 scholarships for new Birth Doulas to be trained and become Certified Enrolled Medicaid providers.
Assisting Doulas with Medicaid Enrollment
The DOULA CO-OP is offering support and assistance for doulas in completing the process of certifying and enrolling as Medicaid providers with the state. Our members have access to continuing education opportunities for initial certification and renewal, as well as a video resource library to support them navigating various provider portals, claims submissions, billing, and MCO contracting.