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



The RI Birth Worker Co-op is now in the implementation phase, where doulas who choose to accept Medicaid and private insurance are credentialing with the Rhode Island Certification Board.
RI Certified Doulas are contracting with United Heath Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield RI, Neighborhood Health RI, Medicaid RI and Harvard Pilgrim.
They are excited and honored to continue supporting families the way doulas have been for the last several decades in this state.

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

The RI Birth Worker Co-op recognizes racism and inequalities in the 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

The RI Birth Worker Co-op aligns its values with the Community Doula model; specifically, the person’s choice to choose their doula.
Members of the RI Birth Worker Co-op maintain their independent practice. They do not work for clinics, hospitals or other healthcare facility.

Cultural Humility

The RI Birth Worker Co-op prioritizes the cultural, ethnic and religious values that identify the needs and desires of the collective members, to practice and operate in ways that resonate with their community.

 

Full Spectrum Care

RI Birth Worker Co-op 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

The RI Birth Worker Co-op values the member lead and owned ownership.

Increase Access & Equity

The RI Birth Worker Co-op maintains the abolishment of systematic barriers that limit genuine access and intentional equity for work rendered without oppressive restrictions.