There was some confusion around requirements and eligibility for this benefit and folks shared stories they’ve heard from their clients about it as well. There’s definitely a need for more clear information and space needed for us to support each other through the process.
You can learn more about the benefit and the process of becoming a doula provider on the Doula Services as a Medi-Cal Benefit section of the DHCS website.
RLBC is also planning to offer some regular group coaching sessions for community members who would like some group and 1-on-1 support as they move through the application process. We are collaborating with other community organizations in the Bay Area and California to make sure we’re not replicating what others are doing but we are uplifting each others’ efforts and sharing information about what we’re learning and what’s working.
If you are interested in hearing about these sessions once they begin, please sign up here.