KC Doula Program

Supporting families, expanding access, building healthier futures

In July 2025, the Kansas City Health Department, in partnership with Community Capital Fund (CCF), launched the KC Doula Program, a grant initiative designed to strengthen doula businesses and provide direct services to families in Kansas City, Missouri.

Doulas play a vital role in improving maternal and infant health by offering personalized care, advocacy, and emotional support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Research shows doula care leads to better outcomes, including fewer cesarean deliveries, shorter labor, and reduced postpartum depression.

Applications for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 are now closed, but here’s how we’ve partnered with the Health Department to support each phase:

Phase 1 – Supporting Local Doula Businesses: Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Phase 1 provided financial assistance of up to $15,000 per awardee to help local doulas enhance their services, expand their reach, and navigate the evolving maternal health care landscape. Research shows that doula care leads to improved maternal and infant health outcomes, including lower cesarean rates, shorter labors, decreased postpartum depression, and more personalized birthing experiences. Learn more about Phase 1.

Phase 2 – Providing Direct Doula Services to Families: Building on the success of Phase 1, Phase 2 focused on offering free, comprehensive doula services to families with a doula of their choosing. This phase aimed to directly expand access to maternal health support while continuing to build the capacity of local doulas. Learn more about Phase 2.

  • The KC Doula Scholarship program aims to provide financial assistance to expecting families in Kansas City, MO, enhancing birth experiences, expanding doula reach, and supporting the evolving landscape of doula care. This program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). All doulas for this program must meet the latest Federal Treasury Final Rule Guidelines to be eligible. CCF will communicate to ineligible applicants regarding their status. CCF is administering this fund with a maximum award of $6,000 per awardee.

  • Both the doula and their client must apply for this program together. The client must complete the resident portion of the application for it to be considered valid. Each doula may support up to two clients through this program.

  • To be eligible for a doula scholarship, residents must be:

    ·      A resident of Kansas City, Missouri

    ·      Pregnant OR recently pregnant

  • To be eligible for a doula scholarship, expecting families must choose a doula who meets the eligibility requirements of:

    • 18 years or older

    • Serving families within the municipal limits of Kansas City, Missouri

    • A legally established business or Nonprofit Organization

    • Certified and having provided services for at least 12 months

    • Be able to provide proof of insurance coverage for services and practice

  • Grant funds can be used to cover a range of doula services that support expecting families, including but not limited to:

    Birth Services: Support during pregnancy and labor.

    • Prenatal visits, continuous labor support, comfort measures, advocacy, partner support.

    Postpartum Services: Assistance for the family after a baby is born.

    • Newborn care guidance, breastfeeding/chest feeding support, emotional support for new parents, light household help (laundry/meal prep), overnight care.

    Specialized Services: Niche or specialized services that meet the needs of the family.

    • Immediate family doula care (sibling, grandparent, partner, etc.), lactation consulting, bereavement support, etc.

    Other Expenses: If you have other specific needs that would support your birth you can include them, but they are subject to pre-approval.

    • Examples: Miscarriage, stillbirth, fertility, conception support.

 About the Kansas City Health Department

The KCHD is dedicated to measurably improving the health and health outcomes of all Kansas City residents through community-directed programs, services, and widespread collaboration, guided by the vision of cultivating an engaged and healthy community. This mission is driven by core values that prioritize community members as engaged partners, transparent and accessible communication, radical ownership and accountability, extensive collaboration on every initiative, data-driven decision-making, and the creation of equitable opportunities for all.