RFP #25-12-PH doulas services

Cumberland County, North Carolina is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund up to two eligible organizations to provide birth doula services to residents of Cumberland County. The purpose of the RFP is to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates. The selected organizations will be required to hire or contract with two certified birth doulas who will provide continuous labor support to at least 30 pregnant women annually. Doulas will also provide education, referrals, and support during pregnancy, postpartum, and up to one year after birth. Key project requirements include utilizing evidence-based practices, completing training on health equity and social determinants of health, and providing data on various maternal and infant health outcome measures. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM EST on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, and the County reserves the right to award to one or more vendors.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, hospital systems, private health care providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other community-based organizations physically located in Cumberland County. Funding of up to $75,000 per project will be awarded, and cost sharing or matching funds are not required. The contract term is for one year from January 1, 2025 to December 30, 2025. This RFP is intended to address wide racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes in Cumberland County, as doula services are not often covered by health insurance, and the funding provided is aimed at increasing access to these services for uninsured and underinsured women.