proposing a community based doula program

chitowndoula · 10-16-2009, 05:00 PM

Hi Doula sisters,
I am am experienced doula who is now getting a masters in social work. I am doing an internship in a community health clinic that provides family medicine, ob/gyn, and pediatric care. I am working on proposing a doula program that will provide free services to women who are patients in the clinic (many are teens, have no support, histories of violence/abuse, etc). Does anyone have experience getting a project like this off the ground? The doula work I can do, it's the red tape, proposals, and politics that I am struggling to navigate. If anyone has any advice I am all earsAlso any mission statements, protocols, funding ideas, data collection or evaluation forms you use and are willing to share would be awesome.

Thank you and happy birthing

Nicole

lifeisgood · 10-16-2009, 06:29 PM

I don't have any experience, but I will be very interested in what others have to say. I would love to do something like this in my area!

Ohio Doula · 10-16-2009, 06:58 PM

check out Chicago Health Connection. They seem to have a great program and have great resources on how to set up your own program. Good luck!

http://www.healthconnectone.org/page...titute_/67.php

doulajamie · 10-17-2009, 03:49 PM

This could be a book, literrally. I think the first thing you have to do is to decide which population you would like to focus on. This takes some thought about the needs in your community, who you want to work with, and what groups/organizations work with this population. Once you have this in mind, I can help guide you onto the next step.

sacredma · 10-17-2009, 04:21 PM

you might want to contact polly perez, she is a member here. she has much experience setting up doula programs.
http://www.alldoulas.com/forums/members/polly-perez.html

mamalunadoula · 10-19-2009, 09:58 PM

Check out www.everyday-miracles.org, the org I work for. Contact mary or debby, my bosses, they totally rock. They have also been able to secure funding from major insurance carriers, which is who should be paying for these services!

golden pregnancy · 10-21-2009, 10:48 PM

I have sent emails to all 3 suggestions for contacts. I am sitting on a not for profit doula org that never got off the ground. Thanks, Ladies, for your contributions! I will surely keep you posted. Are there any others?

golden pregnancy · 10-21-2009, 11:07 PM

Woops! I mean 4 suggested contacts

doulajamie · 10-21-2009, 11:21 PM

I will call you tommorrow. I got home late tonight!!!

Jamie

DoulaMegz · 10-22-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamalunadoula

Check out www.everyday-miracles.org, the org I work for. Contact mary or debby, my bosses, they totally rock. They have also been able to secure funding from major insurance carriers, which is who should be paying for these services!

I was going to suggest the same...LOL...That would be the 2nd time I've sent someone from this board to them! ha!

doulajamie · 10-22-2009, 07:49 AM

Megz did you get my PM about November?

rdurland · 11-29-2009, 01:50 PM

I don't know anything about it unfortunately but I have been volunteering with teens in my area and have been thinking about setting up something like what you are talking about. What area are you in? I would love to hear how things develop for you. I think it would be a wonderful thing to have a model for so that it could be put together in any community with need and interest without having to start from scratch each time.
Please keep me posted! and good luck!!!!