Doula Directory Application Form and Criteria

The Perinatal Community Resource List is available to patients who are planning to delivery at UC San Diego Health and considering doula services.

If you are a doula and would like to be included on the list, please read the information below and submit the form that follows. You can also see information on becoming a volunteer doula. 

Eligibility Requirements

Inclusion on the Perinatal Community Resource List is based on submission of required information and attestation to meeting the criteria below. All applicants are subject to review and must comply with established criteria published below. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must demonstrate, within their application portfolio, that they meet the following minimum requirements.

Required Training and Competencies

• Hold current certification from a Medi-Cal–recognized doula training program
• Maintain active Medi-Cal provider enrollment or demonstrate pending enrollment, including credentialing (or active application) with Medi-Cal managed care plans
• Current HIPAA certification (to be recertified annually)
• Current CPR certification from an accredited organization
• Active Professional liability insurance coverage, where applicable
• Have completed a minimum of three (3) mentored births in a hospital setting
• Demonstrate at least nine (9) months of active experience providing doula services
• Provide documentation of experience in hospital-based births within the past year, including exposure to operative (OR) and cesarean deliveries (minimum of two cases; training or direct support acceptable)

Optional Self-Disclosed Information (Not Required)

The following information may be voluntarily provided by doulas for inclusion on the community resource list to assist patients in making informed choices based on their individual preferences and needs. Disclosure of the items below is optional and not required for inclusion on the resource list. These items are not ranked, weighted, or scored by UC San Diego Health, and inclusion on the list is not affected by whether you include this information.

• Proficiency in two or more languages
• Experience providing culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate care
• Trauma-informed care training
• Experience with language interpretation platforms
• Health equity training, including disparities in perinatal outcomes
• HIV in the perinatal period training
• "Dignity in Childbirth" training or equivalent
• Spinning Babies® workshop or equivalent training
• Certification in other applicable trainings( e.g. lactation, opioid use disorder, maternal mental health, etc.)

Any optional information provided under this section will be published as submitted to allow patients direct access to self-reported details when selecting a doula of their choosing.

Onboarding and Retention Requirements

• Successfully complete a background check
• Comply with all applicable health screening and immunization requirements, including MMR, Varicella
• Agree to adhere to applicable UC San Diego Health policies, procedures, and professional conduct expectations by acknowledging and signing of policy.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development and continuing education by illustrating proof of quarterly continuing education opportunities through institutions or community resources/programs.
• Maintain all required credentialing, training and certifications

How Submissions Are Reviewed

UC San Diego Health reviews submissions for inclusion on the community resource list solely to confirm completeness and alignment with the published, objective inclusion criteria.

• Review is limited to verifying that required information has been submitted and that minimum eligibility criteria are met.
• UC San Diego Health does not evaluate, score, rank, or compare doulas, and does not assess quality, competency, clinical judgement, or suitability for any individual patient.
• Inclusion on the resource list is not based on anticipated patient utilization, referrals, program needs, or discretionary preferences.
• Submissions of an application and complete review does not guarantee inclusion, and removal may occur if required information becomes incomplete or outdated.

The list is non-exclusive and informational only; there is no priority ranking, cap, or preferential placement. Inclusion on this list is not based on referrals, anticipated utilization, or qualitative assessment of performance.

The review process is intended to maintain the integrity and neutrality of the community resource list and to support patient awareness and choice.

UC San Diego Health reserves the right to modify participation update the format or content of the community resource list to maintain regulatory compliance and operational consistency.