Doula Scholarship Program Overview

The Alameda Alliance for Health (Alliance) Doula scholarship program was established to grow the Alliance Doula provider network to increase access to services for Alliance members. This scholarship is intended to offset costs related to Medi-Cal Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment (PAVE), contracting and credentialing with the Alliance, continued education, training, and administrative and operational support required to be a doula. 

Scholarships of up to $1,000 per person are available for doulas both intending to contract with the Alliance and doulas already contracted with the Alliance; a doula may only be granted one (1) scholarship of up to $1,000 and will not be eligible for both. Doulas who identify as American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Chinese, Filipino, Hispanic/Latine, and Vietnamese are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications for scholarships will be accepted starting Monday, December 16th, 2024, and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until funds are depleted.

Eligibility Criteria

All doula providers who wish to apply for the scholarship will need to complete the following:

• Read the program overview document to understand the grant funding process, eligibility criteria, and program expectations
• Complete all sections of the application
• Complete the required attestation indicating fund use
• Provide any supporting documents needed to complete the application (i.e., W-9, MOU)

Doulas Who Intend to Contract With the Alliance:

Criteria to Qualify:

To qualify for the initial scholarship of up to $500, the doula must:

• Provide the application ID as proof of Provider Portal registration on the PAVE system with the California Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS).
• Sign the attestation of intention to provide doula services in Alameda County, and how the funds are intended to be used.
• Obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. 
• Submit a completed W-9 form (signed and dated within the last year).

To qualify for the second scholarship of up to $500, the doula must sign a contract with the Alliance and:

• Provide proof of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training, PAVE enrollment (if applicable), and business license.
• Be in the process of credentialing with the Alliance.

Scholarship Uses:

The initial $500 scholarship may be used for any of the following, but not limited to:

• Adult/infant CPR certification.
• HIPAA training.
• PAVE enrollment.
• Business license, tax certificate, or city permit where business activities will be conducted.

The second $500 scholarship may be used for any of the following, but not limited to:

• Reimbursement for access to the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) provider credentialing portal. 
• Initial malpractice insurance payment.
• EHRs such as Simple Practice, Office Ally, etc.

Please Note: Applicants are encouraged to complete the steps to qualify for the second scholarship within 45 days of receiving the initial incentive. The Alliance will provide coaching to doulas who have not pursued their application for the second scholarship of $500. 

Alliance Contracted Doulas:

Criteria to Qualify:

To qualify for the scholarship of up to $1,000, the doula must: 

• Have signed a contract with the Alliance.
• Be credentialed with the Alliance.
• Have submitted at least one (1) claim for services provided to an Alliance member.
• Sign the attestation that the $1,000 scholarship will assist the doula in serving additional Alliance members.

Scholarship Uses:

The $1,000 scholarship may be used for any of the following, but not limited to:

• Administrative, operational, and technological support to provide doula services to Alliance members.
• Electronic Health Records (EHRs) such as Simple Practice, Office Ally, etc.
• Continued education and/or training in maternal, perinatal, and/or infant care courses, webinars, seminars, etc.
   

Please Note: This is a competitive process, and funds may be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The submission of an application does not guarantee any outcome. At its sole discretion, the Alliance may reject any or all applications submitted in response to this application at any time, with or without cause. The Alliance shall not be liable for any costs incurred by the applicant in connection with the preparation and submission of any application. The Alliance retains the right to amend this application by a written amendment posted on the Alliance website at www.alamedaalliance.org.

For more information or questions regarding this application and the Doula Scholarship Program, please email fundinginfo@alamedaalliance.org