Our Community Impact
Meet Gabriella.
Hear how having a Doula empowered her during her pregnancy & birth.
Community-Based Research
The DOULA CO-OP of Nevada participated in the NIH Connecting the Community for Maternal Health Challenge. Our research and submission to the Maternal Health Challenge earned the CO-OP 3rd place (out of 99 teams across the country) and was awarded a $150K prize to continue our mission of supporting underserved 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 of Nevada established the first hospital based community doula program in the state of Nevada. Starting in 2022, DAP Doulas have been integrating into the care teams at Renown’s Labor & Delivery, Triage, OR, and Postpartum. Pregnant individuals have increased access to Doula support and knowledge in the hospital and prenatally through Renown Women’s Health.
In the Fall of 2025, the DAP doula’s role expanded to become a daily part of the Renown Birth Team by being at the hospital for 12 hour shifts. This expansion of the DAP Program was generously funded through the Partners in Progress 2025 Grant from RENOWN 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.