How it all started
Community Doula Access (CDA) was initiated by local doulas who recognized a gap in accessibility to their services, and decided to take action.
Typically, doula care operates on a fee-for-service model, and is not covered by provincial or private health insurance. While this model ensures that doulas are accountable directly to their clients, it also creates inequity in access due to cost.
Many doulas provide sliding scale or volunteer care to families who would not otherwise be able to access their services.
Community Doula Access was found on two firm beliefs:
That every family deserves access to the support of a postpartum doula, regardless of their income.
That doulas deserve to be compensated fairly for the services that they provide.
Community Doula Access exists to remove the cost barrier for families in accessing postpartum care, while ensuring financial sustainability for doulas.
Community Doula Access is a model that supports prosperity for families in need of care, and the doulas providing care.
Our Values
New families deserve low-barrier access to continuous & non-judgemental emotional, practical and educational support from a professional postpartum doula.
All families deserve these supports regardless of income.
Families deserve support that is anti-oppressive, and is attentive to their experiences, ability, gender, sexuality, race, religion, age, citizenship, Indigeneity, or family structure.
Doulas serving new families deserve to be compensated for their work at the market rate.
Doulas deserve the right to emotional and financial sustainability in their work (i.e. not to be overworked and underpaid).
Doulas should tailor their care to the wishes of new families, encouraging the family to identify their needs and make informed decisions regarding their care plan.
All of CDA’s doula partners are committed to respect for every client, in addition to upholding the following core values of the doula-client relationship:
Accessibility
Agency
Informed choice
Harm reduction
Non-judgement