Diversifying Doulas Initiative®

Are you interested in having a doula for your pregnancy?

Thank you for being interested in receiving doula services through the Diversifying Doulas Initiative®.

We are happy to provide subsidized doula care for Birthing People of Color in Lancaster, Harrisburg, and York, PA

Please complete and submit our intake form below:

Our Why

Patients R Waiting (PRW) believes that part of our commitment to eliminating health disparities also includes increasing access to healthcare that improves health outcomes.

Founded in 2020, our Diversifying Doulas Initiative® (DDI) jumped into action after the COVID-19 global pandemic heightened the health disparity experienced by women of color surrounding childbirth. For 5 years, DDI has provided Lancaster Black and Latinx expectant moms with doula support to address the maternal mortality crisis.

Diversifying Doulas Initiative®

Support our work

Diversifying Doulas Initiative has four main goals

Doulas have proven to provide many benefits to pregnant women, but they can often costs upwards of $1200. Through this program, we will place pregnant women of color with experienced doulas, free of charge. Benefits can include reduction in anxiety, lower rates of C-sections, and much more.

Increase Access

Our childbirth education course provided by doulas offers a culturally competent, supportive, and personalized learning experience that empowers individuals to approach childbirth with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of community.

Provide Education

Because of the lack of diversity within doulas throughout Lancaster, we have provided women of color with the formal training necessary to become a certified doula. Through a process curated by doulas, we have increased the doulas of color in Lancaster by over 3800%.

Recuit

Research on doulas helps establish evidence-based practices that can be integrated into maternity care and provides the data needed to advocate for policy changes that support the inclusion of doulas in healthcare systems..

Research

What we Offer

For Birthing People

Doula Services

Interested in a Doula for your pregnancy? Please complete our intake form for a chance to receive subsidized doula services.

DDI Intake Form

Community Education Classes

Pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or recently postpartum? Join us for a unique, culturally competent course provided by Doulas.

About For U By Doulas

DADvocates Listening Session

Join us for a DADvocates Listening Session in your area—a space for Black men to speak, share, and connect about solutions that uplift and protect families.

About DADvocates

Doula Directory

Interested in connecting with Doulas in our community? Visit our Doula Directory at the link below.

Doula Directory

For Doulas

Become a Doula through DDI:

Become a Certified Doula (CD) and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS) directly through the Diversifying Doulas Initiative (DDI) 2-year mentorship.

2026 Training Dates TBA