Doula (File Photo – Wendy Kenin)
As communities worldwide observe World Doula Week from March 22 to March 28, Los Angeles County is highlighting a pioneering initiative aimed at improving maternal and infant health among incarcerated and justice-impacted populations.
By News Desk
Through a unique partnership between LA Health Services’ Correctional Health Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the county has launched a comprehensive doula and lactation support program for pregnant individuals who are incarcerated, recently released, or at risk of incarceration. The effort is funded by the Los Angeles Justice Care and Opportunities Department through its Care First Community Investment initiative.
County officials say the program is the only one of its kind in Los Angeles dedicated specifically to justice-impacted families. Its goal is to provide compassionate, holistic care that improves maternal health outcomes, supports infant development, and preserves family bonds during critical life transitions.
At the center of the initiative is the CARE Doula Program, which earned recognition as a 2025 Challenge Award winner from the California State Association of Counties. The program offers trauma-informed support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, regardless of pregnancy outcomes.
Doulas, trained professionals who provide nonclinical emotional, physical, and educational support, work alongside medical teams to help ensure patients feel informed, safe, and supported. Since its launch in 2023, the program has served 145 clients and supported 61 births.
Services include prenatal education, labor and delivery support, and postpartum care lasting up to one year. The program also emphasizes separation planning for families facing custody-related challenges, along with mental health referrals, social services, and lactation counseling.
By integrating doula services with clinical care provided inside county jails, officials say the initiative delivers “whole-person care” that addresses both medical and emotional needs. The program reflects Los Angeles County’s broader commitment to equitable, humane health care, ensuring that every parent and child has the opportunity for a healthy start, regardless of their circumstances.
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