Frontline Doulas
Herstory of the Frontline Hotline COVID-19 Initiative
In August 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Frontline Doulas and Black Women Birthing Justice announced launched of Frontline Doula Hotline COVID-19 Initiative: Bridging the Healthcare Gap Between Black/African American Birthing People and Black/African American Doulas During COVID-19. Black maternal health in California was already in crisis before COVID-19. The pandemic raised great concerns that the gap in resources, care, and support for Black birthing families would widen even further. BWBJ, in conjunction with Frontline Doulas and Diversity Uplifts, Inc. utilized grant funding from California Health Foundation and Tara Health Foundation to help mitigate this situation. We provided awards to 50 Black Doulas to serve Black clients, either virtually or in person, in several locations throughout the state of California. We also developed a “warmline” so that Black pregnant and postpartum people could contact and get emotional and informational support around their birth and the postpartum period. This line covers the entire state of California. While the “COVID-19 Initiative” is wrapping up, thankfully, with the donations of community members, we have raised enough funds to keep the hotline alive for another 90 days with hopes to continue to fundraise to keep the line open for Black birthing families as long as possible.
How it Works:
The Frontline Doula "Hotline" is a respectful "warm line" that allows you to schedule a call back time with a Doula. First, fill out a brief online intake form. After completing the form, you’ll be directed to schedule a google hangout call with one of our trained hotline doulas. The Frontline Doula Hotline operates Monday through Sunday, 7am–10pm, PST.
Text “Doula Help” to 833-987-2908
If you are a Black pregnant or postpartum person (or a partner/family member) and want to speak to a doula, the Frontline Doula Hotline is for YOU.
The Frontline Doula Hotline is a respectful "warm line" that allows you to schedule time with a Doula, for free. Click here to schedule your call.
YOU can help keep the Black Doula Hotline open… Donate Today! Any amount helps.
Frontline Doula Hotline COVID-19 INITIATIVE MEDIA