PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island  (BCBSRI) is partnering with Doulas of Rhode Island (DoRI) to offer support and scholarships aimed at strengthening the doula workforce and improving maternal health outcomes in Rhode Island.

Financial support from BCBSRI will allow DoRI to offer seven scholarships in 2026. Applications become available April 1 for the following scholarships:

• Three $1,000 scholarships to support individuals historically underrepresented in birth work. Open to prospective doulas based in Rhode Island for doula training.
• Three $500 scholarships for doula training or professional development. Open to current full members of DoRI.
• One $500 scholarship for Certified Lactation Training via Healthy Children Project. Open to current full members of DoRI.

Details on the 2026 scholarships are available at Doulasri.org/scholarships. Applications will be due by May 1     . 

In honor of World Doula Week (March 22-28), BCBSRI and DoRI have teamed up to provide a free 90-minute meditative flow class at Shri Yoga in Pawtucket and then throughout May, DoRI members are eligible for a limited number of free yoga classes at Shri as part of a self-care initiative called “Doula the Doula.”

For information on the first-come, first-served yoga sessions or the scholarships contact admin@doulasri.org.

“BCBSRI is committed to improving maternal health outcomes in Rhode Island and supporting effective solutions to the inequities that persist in some of our communities,” said Carolyn Belisle, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at BCBSRI. “Our funding of scholarships and programs to support doulas is aimed at enhancing the doula workforce so that more Rhode Islanders can benefit from the specialized care they provide. We’re pleased to partner with DoRI in its vital work to grow the state’s doula community.”

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and educational support before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. In 2021, Rhode Island enacted legislation requiring that all health plans, including Medicaid and private insurers, provide coverage for doula services Given the growing need for certified doulas in the state, BCBSRI and DoRI have been collaborating on efforts to support the expansion of Rhode Island’s doula workforce. 

DoRI is a professional organization for doulas whose mission is to educate communities about the role of doulas and enhance access to doula services for families in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. It also provides professional support, skill sharing, and marketing opportunities for its members. It was founded in 2011 by two local doulas, and its membership has since grown to about 80 local doulas.

“Doulas are awesome. We connect with people during a deeply personal, unique, and often overwhelming time.  To have continuous support from someone who is neither medical, nor family is an invaluable piece to the maternal health puzzle” said Shaylyn Forloney CPD, Co-president of DORI. “We appreciate Blue Cross’ ever evolving support of birth work. These scholarships further educate our members and add to the diversity of our doulas, which is crucial to be sure Rhode Island communities are well represented.”