Establishing a Hospital-Based Doula Program

Sample Proposal Overview / Postpartum Doula Program

We propose to establish a revenue-generating postpartum doula program available to all families giving birth at [hospital name]. Through this program, the hospital hires a cadre of postpartum doulas who are matched with interested families to provide in-home support services after discharge from the hospital. A charitable component can be incorporated whereby low-income families, especially those deemed to be at risk by medical care providers and hospital social workers, will receive services at no cost or on a sliding-scale basis. The program will be developed with the underlying goal of accumulating data to continuing to make the case for insurance companies to reimburse for doula services, thereby mainstreaming the doula role. (Some progress has been made towards this goal as the National Uniform Claim Committee recently defined the role of the doula and created a billing code for doulas.) The fully realized vision is an innovative, self-sustaining program model that can be replicated in other hospitals within the [hospital system name].

The full proposal includes the following components:

  • Rationale
  • Benefits of Postpartum Doulas
  • Benefits to Hospital
  • Description of Services Offered
  • How the Program will be Implemented
  • Budget

Summary

A hospital-based postpartum doula program provides cost-effective care and quality outcomes that are responsive to the needs of women and their families. This, in turn, generates high patient satisfaction which benefits all service providers in the system. Experience demonstrates that this concept is a viable business strategy to maintain and expand patient volumes, reduce health care costs, and improve health outcomes for women and their families. It is not only the “right thing to do,” doing the right thing is good for business!

Consulting Services

Patty Brennan is a consultant, professional grant writer, and program development specialist. She is available to assist you in developing a proposal and implementing a program uniquely tailored to your organization. Patty can help you sidestep hard lessons learned and launch your program effectively and efficiently. She can save you time and money. Email patty@center4cby.com or call 734-663-1523.

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