PDC Doula Services
Scholarship
About
The Palouse Doula Collective is a non-profit organization bringing birth and family resources to the Palouse parents and creating through supporting doulas and expecting parent groups. Due to insurance companies rarely covering doula care, we have noticed a growing need for providing doula services for both postpartum and birth to those in financial hardship, minorities, and teens. We believe anyone who would like a doula should have equal access to this support. Our scholarship funds donated from the community help make this happen for parents.
If you would like to donate, here is the link to do so:
TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP:
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Visit the 'Our Doulas' Tab and explore the doulas available. Reach out to those you're interested in to schedule a consultation Unsure who's available? Click here and we will assist you in matching with a doula.
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During the consultation, be sure to discuss the types of support offered, the doula's rates, and their availability. Don't forget to share your financial situation to help guide the conversation.
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Review the tips listed below to help determine if you need financial assistance.
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After selecting the doula you would like to work with, and if you feel like financial assistance is needed, click the link below to complete the scholarship application.
The Scholarship Committee will review your application and make a decision within 7 days of submission. If additional information or clarification is needed, they will contact you via email.
Some tips to help determine if a scholarship is right for you
Out scholarship fund is designed to make it possible for you to hire your doula of choice even if you are unable to pay their rates. It is hard for many of us to ask for money, but we're so glad you advocated for yourself by asking. Please review the following information as you consider what you are able to contribute to the valuable services your doulas work so hard to provide.
Integrity
We do not ask for income verification, but trust our clients to be honest. Community thrives when accountability is a central value, because that is where trust grows.
Sacrifice vs. Hardship
If paying for doula services would be difficult, but not detrimental, it qualifies as a sacrifice. You might have to cut back in other areas of your life (less meals out, no new clothes, etc.) but it will not have a long term and harmful impact on your life.
If investing in a doula would lead to a harmful impact on your life, like not being able to buy food, pay rent, or pay for your transportation to get to work then you are dealing with hardship. People who are dealing with hardship should typically place themselves toward the lower end of the scale.
Both sacrifice and hardship are challenging, but for different reasons.
How to determine level of financial assistance
Level 1:We have the ability to pay full price for a doula
Our family:
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Can comfortable meet all our basic needs (food, housing, transportation)
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Owns or leases a car
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Owns our home or rents a comfortable accommodation
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Has regular access to extended health care benefits (dental, vision, etc.)
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Can eat out, buy new clothes, and often replaces technology
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Can afford an annual vacation or other regular travel
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Has an expendable income
Level 2: We call somewhere in the middle, but most likely can pay for a doula with sacrifice. In some circumstances, a scholarship might be necessary.
Our family:
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Might stress about meeting our basic needs but still regularly meets them
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Has access to transportation
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Rents a mid-range accommodation
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Has adequate employment
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Has some debt but can still afford our basic needs
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Is able to buy some new items and some used items
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Can take a vacation every few years without a financial burden
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Has some expendable income
Level 3: Affording a doula would be a hardship and we would not be able to use one without financial assistance
Our family:
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Frequently has financial stress and sometimes does not meet our basic needs
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Does not have stable transportation
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Rents lower-end properties, or our housing is unstable
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Is unemployed or under employed
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Has no access to savings
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Rarely buys new items because we cannot afford them
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Cannot afford a vacation
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Has no expendable income