Building the Infrastructure for Doulas to Thrive in Texas

A statewide effort to support, connect, and sustain the Doula workforce.

Texas Doula Association is a member-led professional association for Doulas in Texas.

We do not regulate Doulas or manage client care.

We organize, advocate, and build the systems that support Doulas across the great state of Texas.

You Are Not Doing This Alone.


A Day in the Life with TDA


Across Texas, the work is no longer disconnected.
Doulas are part of a coordinated, statewide network—supported, connected, and backed by structure.

A Doula in El Paso reaches out after an issue at a hospital.

She gets a response the same day— real support, backed by TDA’s relationship with the healthcare systems.

TDA’s regional hub steps in—provides guidance, documenting the concern and coordinating follow up with the hospital.

In Houston, a hospital preparing to update its policies meets with TDA first.

Together, they review how Doulas are integrated into care—not based on assumptions, but designed together based on real practice and experience.

Policies are shaped with Doulas in mind from the start.

Across regions, Doulas are no longer competing for limited resources, access or information.

They are sharing knowledge, building relationships, and growing leadership skills.

TDA is coordinating this work across the state— through membership, regional hubs, partnerships, and shared systems that connect Doulas to each other and greater opportunities to thrive.

With TDA, When Decisions are Made About Doulas, They are Informed by Doulas

The difference is visible.

Doulas have clearer support.

Access to care becomes more consistent and supported by insurance, hospitals, an experienced and available community.

The work is no longer carried alone.

Later in the year, Doulas from across Texas gather for TDA’s statewide summit and gala.

They are not coming together in isolation—they are part of a connected and thriving network.

Doula’s work across the state is recognized.

Their impact is visible.

And Doulas are celebrated as a vital part of Texas’ maternal health systems.

The Doula profession is no longer fragmented.

It is connected, recognized, and moving forward together with collective strength.

Why This Work Matters

✨

Why This Work Matters ✨

Until now, Texas has never had a coordinated system to support its Doula workforce at scale.

Without a support structure:

  • Doulas remain disconnected,

  • Access to care stays inconsistent,

  • Systems make decisions without clear understanding of the Doula profession, and

  • Non-Doula organizations become the middle man and decision maker of Doulas.

Growth Pillars

Pillar 1: Doula Workforce Sustainability

TDA works to ensure Doula work in Texas is sustainable, supported, and accessible.

Pillar 2: Statewide Membership & Network

TDA builds a connected network of Doulas across Texas through membership and regional hubs.

Pillar 3: Policy, Standards & Advocacy

TDA supports policies, standards, and recognition that protect and advance the Doula profession.

Pillar 4: Visibility & Industry Leadership

TDA serves as a trusted statewide hub for Doulas and a leading voice in maternal health conversations.

Pillar 5: Organizational Growth & Infrastructure

TDA develops the internal systems, leadership, and structure needed to sustain long-term impact.

Roadmap

We are building step-by-step to ensure long-term sustainability: 

Now

Launching membership and building core system

Next

Expanding statewide connection and partnerships

Long term

Strengthening advocacy, visibility, and sustainability across Texas

How We Build Matters

This work is grounded in statewide workforce data and ongoing engagement with Doulas across Texas.

We listen, gather input, and build from real experiences in the field—not assumptions.

The Board of Directors and leadership of TDA came together with Doulas, volunteers and other key stakeholders of the greater birth community in Texas to create 2026 - 2029 Strategic Plans.

Current Strategic Plans
Current Strategic Plans
Read More about TDA's Advocacy impact
Read More about TDA's Advocacy impact 
Your Questions, Answered.

  • The Texas Doula Association is a member led professional association that supports, connects, and advocates for Doulas across Texas.
    We build the infrastructure needed for a stronger Doula workforce—through membership,, regional hubs, and coordinated efforts that improve access to care and strengthen the profession

  • No.
    TDA does not regulate all Doulas or control how doulas practice. Doulas in Texas can continue to practice independently without being part of TDA.

    TDA is a professional association focused on supporting and strengthening the profession—not policing it.


    In some specific contexts—such as participation in TDA programs or future Medicaid-aligned pathways—there may be defined standards or requirements.


    These apply only within those contexts and are designed to support consistency, access, and recognition—not to control the profession as a whole.

  • Being part of TDA means you are no longer doing this work on your own.

    You are part of a connected, statewide community of Doulas who understand the realities of this work—and are building something stronger together.

    It means your work is seen, supported, and valued.

    Your experiences are not isolated—they help shape what comes next.

    It means having space to grow—not just as a Doula, but as a leader.

    You can expand into advocacy, policy, and systems-level work while continuing your practice. You are not asked to narrow your role—you are supported in expanding it.

    It also means sustainability.

    You are part of a network that is building real pathways for this work to continue long-term—so your career is not dependent on constant strain or uncertainty.

    And throughout it all, you are part of something larger than yourself:

    A collective effort to strengthen the profession, support each other, and improve care across Texas.

  • No.

    TDA does not match Doulas with families or manage client care.

    We are a professional association focused on strengthening the Doula workforce—not a service provider.

  • TDA’s work is grounded in statewide engagement, workforce data, and ongoing input from Doulas across regions.

    We prioritize listening, gathering feedback, and building from real experiences in the field—not assumptions.

  • TDA provides structure, coordination, and support when challenges arise.

    This includes guidance, shared resources, and relationships with healthcare systems and partners that help ensure Doulas are not navigating these situations alone.

  • TDA is building influence through consistency, coordination, and relationships.

    This includes:

    Growing a statewide membership network

    Strengthening regional connection through hubs

    Building partnerships with healthcare and community organizations

    Contributing workforce-informed insights and resources

    Influence is built over time through structure and trust—not just visibility.

  • TDA is currently focused on building a strong foundation, including:

    Launching membership

    Strengthening communication systems

    Expanding leadership capacity

    Developing resources informed by workforce data

    This foundation supports long-term growth and impact.

  • Doulas can get involved through membership, committee participation, and regional engagement opportunities.

    TDA is building pathways for Doulas to contribute, lead, and shape the direction of the work across Texas.

  • Organizations can collaborate with TDA through partnerships, education, and coordinated efforts that support the doula workforce and improve maternal health outcomes.

    We prioritize relationships that respect Doula roles and support sustainable integration into systems of care.