On February 18th, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released a Concept Paper outlining a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) to expand the availability of doula support in NYC. The RFP will provide funding to qualified organizations to provide doula support and related services to pregnant people and families who are facing social, economic, and racial inequities. The selected organizations will also help build doula capacity in NYC through recruitment, training, and certification of residents as doulas.
DOHMH anticipates awarding a total of $18 million to between four and ten organizations during the nine-year project period. DOHMH expects selected applicants to have experience:
- Providing community-based doula services;
- Providing complementary support services to clients (e.g., screenings, referrals, case management, maternity/baby/family items, etc.);
- Working within clinical settings; and
- Applying community engagement strategies and practices.
The Concept Paper is available here and SPG’s summary of the opportunity is attached. Comments will be accepted through April 4th. The RFP is expected to be released this summer 2022, with proposals due in fall 2022 and award decisions announced by winter 2023.