In the summer of 2021, Rhode Island passed groundbreaking legislation requiring both Medicaid and private insurance to pay for doula services for all families in our state.

We are now in the implementation phase, where doulas who choose to accept Medicaid and private insurance are credentialing with the Rhode Island Certification Board, contracting with insurance and preparing to continue supporting families the way we have been the last several decades in this state.

This doula owned cooperative was created in order to share the administrative load of billing and contracting, while maintaining our autonomy as community doulas who do not work under other healthcare supervision, which protects the autonomy of families that we serve.

Our founders, Quatia Osorio, Susie Finnerty, and Elyse Wilkie are working together to create the structure of this cooperative. We opened our doors to membership in November 2021. We would love to have you.

Our Values

 

Birth justice.

RIBWC recognizes racism and inequalities in our maternal health outcomes in Rhode Island, specifically affecting Black pregnant people and people of color. We believe people deserve to feel empowered, safe, and dignified in the pregnancy and birthing process.

The community doula model.

RIBWC aligns its values with the community doula model, specifically the person’s choice to choose their doula. In the exclusive support of RIBWC members, who maintain their independent practice not working for clinics, facilities or other healthcare facilities.

Cultural Humility.

RIBWC prioritizes the cultural, ethnic and religious values that identify the needs, desires, of the collective members to practice and operate in ways that resonate with their community.

 

Full spectrum care.

RIBWC members stand with and for all client human rights to autonomy of their bodies, choices and selection of the care they seek within their reproductive lifespan.

Cooperative Model.

RIBWC values the member lead and owned ownership.

Increase Access & Equity.

RIBWC maintains the abolishment of systematic barriers that limit genuine access and intentional equity for work rendered without oppressive restrictions.