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LA2050 Blog

[The following final update was written by the organization and then sent to us for further sharing.]

As a recipient of the LA2050 Grants Challenge, Birthworkers of Color Collective is proud to share the measurable progress and deep community impact achieved through this year’s funding. With the support of LA2050 and the Goldhirsh Foundation, we expanded access to culturally rooted doula care in Los Angeles County, empowered new birthworkers through training and professional support, and removed critical barriers preventing Black, Indigenous, and other doulas of Color from entering and sustaining careers in birthwork.

Our project centered on three primary objectives:

1. Provide full-spectrum doula training scholarships to increase the number of culturally relevant doulas serving Los Angeles County families.

2. Host PAVE Support Workshops to guide doulas through the Medi-Cal Provider onboarding and credentialing process.

3. Reduce financial barriers for BIPOC doulas by supporting PAVE-related expenses including business licenses, HIPAA training, and liability insurance.

Through this initiative, we aimed to strengthen the local doula workforce, ensure doulas could access Medi-Cal reimbursement, and ultimately improve perinatal outcomes for marginalized birthing people across LA County.

During the grant period, we hosted three full-spectrum doula trainings serving participants from across Los Angeles County and surrounding communities. Thanks to LA2050 support, we were able to award 27 full and partial scholarships awarded to new and emerging birthworkers.

These trainings equipped participants with the skills to provide compassionate, culturally congruent support across the full reproductive spectrum including pregnancy, birth, postpartum, abortion, and pregnancy loss. Many graduates have already begun offering services to families both in person and virtually, expanding community access to trusted care providers who reflect and understand their lived experiences.

Our training includes four full days of live training followed by six months of additional learning through our online learning platform. Our live training and online learning center also include videos and resources on getting started as a Medi-Cal provider. Training participants are also

invited to attend optional doula trainings sessions that are hosted once per month where we cover business basics such as creating your doula brand, setting your rates and packages, and contracts.

Recognizing that training alone does not ensure sustainability, we expanded our PAVE Support Workshops to address the next major barrier for birthworkers hoping to increase access to doula support for low-income communities: navigating the complex Medi-Cal Doula Provider enrollment system.

In total, 45 doulas registered for our PAVE Support workshops, with consistent attendance from new and experienced birthworkers seeking clarity on Medi-Cal participation. Our Medi-Cal Doula Program Coordinator hosted 14 individualized support sessions. Through these sessions, the participants learned to identify and overcome common obstacles such as technical issues in the PAVE application portal, potential delays in credentialing, resources for complying with credentialing requirements, and managed care contracting and billing inconsistencies.

We awarded eleven Medi-Cal Provider support stipends to BIPOC doulas, covering essential costs such as business licensing fees, HIPAA training costs, liability insurance, and CPR training/recertifying fees. For many recipients, this financial support was the difference between delaying or moving forward with their Medi-Cal enrollment.

Our evaluation process combined quantitative tracking with qualitative feedback. Participants in our doula trainings and PAVE workshops consistently expressed high satisfaction with the depth, accessibility, and cultural grounding of the sessions. Many noted that our organization is one of the few spaces providing practical, affirming, and community-centered guidance through the bureaucratic realities of the Medi-Cal benefit.

Recurring themes in participant feedback included:

● A strong desire for clarity on billing procedures and Medi-Cal-approved services. 

● Appreciation for peer support and mentorship within the workshops.

● Frustration with inconsistent information across Managed Care Plans, which often created confusion even after PAVE approval.

Despite these systemic challenges, participants overwhelmingly reported increased confidence and readiness to engage as Doula providers. Here are some quotes from our training participants,

“I found everything so helpful. I like how things were broken down and helped me get a better understanding. I found the resources to be very helpful. As I am currently working with a family who have just gone through a miscarriage and being able to use some of the things I have learned through the training has been a great support and being able to help the family connect to resources.”

“I was inspired the most by the shared experiences of why many of us want to become doulas and knowing that we deserve payment as many people don’t really put emphasis on that.”

“What I found most helpful were the varied, nuanced perspectives and approaches we were introduced to. We looked at birthwork from western medical perspectives, indigenous and holistic perspectives, and birthwork as activism and liberation. I also LOVED that it was full-spectrum, covering fertility, pre-conception, perinatal, postnatal, abortion, loss and so much more. I felt affirmed in many aspects, challenged in some, but overall my knowledge, confidence, and passion was deepened.”

“What most inspired me most was to be open to being your TRUE self. This training inspired me to show my face more on social media platforms, to be me and do what I love most and share with families so that they can have healthier and safer births.”

While the program met and exceeded our primary objectives, several challenges remain. Chief among them is the lack of consistency and transparency across Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans. Even doulas who successfully completed the PAVE process encountered confusion about billing codes, reimbursement timelines, and plan-specific policies.

Additionally, technical literacy varied among doulas, with some participants needing more intensive support to complete digital applications or troubleshoot system errors. This revealed the need for a more tiered support model, including optional tech navigation sessions and peer mentorship opportunities.

These insights will shape our next phase of programming as we continue to build an infrastructure that helps doulas not just enter, but thrive within Medi-Cal.

The shifting political landscape also presents a major challenge for our staff, doulas, and community members. One Big Beautiful Bill has detrimental effects on the most vulnerable in our communities. The intensification of ICE immigration and enforcement activities also has many clients skipping important perinatal care appointments for fear of family separation and deportation. Our team has hosted multiple community calls to keep our collective network informed of any potential impacts to the Medi-Cal doula program and advocacy opportunities.

One exciting development during the grant period was our growing relationship with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). After engaging with our outreach team at a community event, DCFS invited us to present to their Home Visiting Network and Program Administrators. This presentation sparked discussions about integrating doula services into their support offerings for families, potentially creating new paid opportunities for our graduates.

We also received recognition and promotion through the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) Medicaid Newsletter, which featured our PAVE Support Workshops as a trusted source of support promoting equitable provider enrollment across California.

Our organization is committed to continuing this work beyond the LA2050 grant period. Building on our success, we plan to:

Continue hosting monthly PAVE Support Workshops, including 1:1 technical assistance and expand session times to accommodate participant preferences and availability.

Develop an advanced Medi-Cal Billing and Reimbursement Training to address persistent challenges doulas face post-enrollment.

Strengthen partnerships with local agencies and hospitals to create employment pipelines for newly trained doulas.

Seek additional funding to scale the PAVE Stipend Program to reach at least 25 doulas in 2026.

The LA2050 grant catalyzed a year of meaningful progress toward equity in perinatal care. Through training, mentorship, and structural support, we empowered 27 new doulas, supported 14 doulas through Medi-Cal Provider enrollment, and removed systemic financial barriers for 11 doulas that have historically excluded BIPOC birthworkers.

While challenges persist in navigating new systems, the progress made this year underscores what’s possible when community-based solutions are adequately funded. Together, we are transforming the birth landscape in Los Angeles County.

Birthworkers of Color Collective Trains 27 New Doulas and Strengthens Equity in Perinatal Care

Over the past year, New Earth has continued to expand opportunity, healing, and economic mobility for Los Angeles County’s system-impacted and justice-involved youth.

With support from the Goldhirsh Foundation and LA2050, our Workforce Innovation programming, including New Earth Digital, hospitality training, and wraparound Clinical Services, has helped young people ages 18-25 gain industry-recognized skills, paid employment experience, and mental-health support to build stable, thriving futures.

The LA2050 grant supported New Earth’s goal to scale high-impact workforce and mental-health programs that prepare youth for sustainable careers.

During the October 2024 – October 2025 period, New Earth achieved the following results:

Served 116 participants directly, meeting our enrollment target.

Reached approximately 230 additional individuals indirectly through family engagement, employer partners, and community events.

Expanded industry-specific pathways in digital media and hospitality.

Maintained full delivery of wraparound clinical and case-management services.

New Earth measures participant outcomes through its FREEE Model, tracking key indicators of long-term stability:

Formally Free of System Involvement: 93% of youth remained free from re-offending

Regularly Housed: 95% maintained stable housing

Educationally Advanced: 87 % completed or continued high school or higher education

Employable: 75 % completed certification and obtained employment or fellowship placement

Emotionally Balanced: 75 % demonstrated improved emotional regulation and self-management

These results align with the baseline metrics outlined in New Earth’s approved proposal and confirm strong, consistent participant success.

During the grant period, New Earth engaged approximately 45 volunteers and mentors, including alumni and employer partners, who supported resume workshops, digital-skills sessions, and community events that helped participants complete training and secure employment. Recognition through LA2050 also strengthened New Earth’s visibility and credibility, catalyzing additional investment for workforce programming, including $100,000 from The Ahmanson Foundation, $75,000 through Boeing’s STAR System “Our Homes” grant, and approximately $50,000 in private donations. These commitments reinforced the sustainability of fellowship stipends and industry-training partnerships initially supported through LA2050.

The project was implemented as outlined in the approved proposal.

Delivering New Earth Digital training and certification for youth pursuing careers in media, marketing, and design.

Providing hospitality and customer-service training in partnership with local employers.

Offering individual therapy and case-management services to ensure housing, food security, and mental-health stability.

Preparing for the launch of the New Earth Café, a social enterprise and training site developed in collaboration with MillCross Coffee.

Adjustments were minimal and limited to scheduling accommodations for participants balancing school, probation, or childcare commitments.

Successful expansion of career-track training and paid fellowships in both digital and hospitality pathways.

Strengthened partnerships with local workforce boards and creative-industry employers to provide job placements for graduates.

Development of the New Earth Café business plan and partnership structure, completing a major preparatory step toward social-enterprise launch.

Continued integration of Clinical Services within all workforce cohorts, ensuring that emotional readiness remains central to employment success.

All objectives submitted in the 2024 LA2050 application were achieved:

Identify additional in-demand industries to expand in-house training and paid fellowship/apprenticeship opportunities. New Earth expanded its Workforce Innovation programming to include additional high-growth sectors such as Information Technology (IT) and Sound Recording. Through New Earth Digital and FLOW Studio, participants now receive hands-on training in graphic design, user interface design, front-end web development using HTML and CSS, IT support, Microsoft 365 certification, sound production, and digital media content creation. These new pathways strengthen New Earth’s ability to prepare system-impacted youth for sustainable employment in Los Angeles’ creative and technical industries.

Partner with local workforce boards to ensure accreditation of all apprenticeships. New Earth worked in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board, the Employment Development Department, and the Latino Coalition to align training with regional workforce priorities and ensure apprenticeships meet recognized industry standards. These collaborations help connect New Earth participants to broader county and state workforce systems, expanding access to credentialed, high-quality opportunities.

Increase the number of companies employing our program participants by 25% by the end of 2025. New Earth strengthened its employer network to provide high-quality placements and professional mentorship for participants. Employer partners include Minuteman Press, Overcast Merch, Hunni Buzz, Collab Inc., and SewBy, which collectively represent opportunities across the design, merchandising, and production sectors. These relationships have expanded paid employment, internship, and fellowship options for New Earth graduates and supported a 25% increase in employer engagement.

Scale our NE Digital and other Workforce programming to 120 youth annually. Building on the success of the LA2050-funded Workforce Innovation programming, New Earth scaled training and fellowship opportunities to reach approximately 120 youth annually. The program equips participants with technical, creative, and entrepreneurial skills in digital media and technology, preparing them for employment or self-employment through real client-based projects. Each youth also receives wraparound support, clinical care, and ongoing mentorship to ensure long-term stability and success.

Evaluation Process and Participant Feedback

Evaluation combined case notes, quarterly surveys, and the I-COPPE Well-Being Survey to measure change in employment readiness, stability, and emotional health.

Program data indicated high completion and satisfaction rates consistent with New Earth’s prior performance:

Over 90 % of participants completed training requirements.

The majority reported increased confidence and improved ability to manage stress.

Employer feedback confirmed strong preparedness and professionalism among New Earth graduates.

Integrating mental-health support directly into workforce programming continues to be essential for participant retention and long-term success. Youth who received consistent care-management and therapeutic support demonstrated stronger attendance, graduation, and employment outcomes.

The year also reinforced the value of peer mentorship: alumni and advanced fellows provided guidance and encouragement to new participants, enhancing community connection and accountability.

New Earth deepened partnerships that advance training, placement, and support for youth, including:

MillCross Coffee – partner in hospitality training and New Earth Café development.

LA County of Youth Development – provides youth referrals and continuity-of-care support.

Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity– supports credential alignment and workforce development resources.

Culver City Chamber of Commerce – engages local businesses in job placement and mentorship.

LA2050 support contributed to increased visibility for New Earth’s mission. The organization’s programs were featured in local and regional media highlighting youth achievement and social-enterprise innovation.

New Earth will continue advancing this work beyond the LA2050 grant period by:

Scaling Workforce Innovation programs to serve at least 120 youth annually. Launching and operating the New Earth Café as a permanent training and employment site.

Expanding partnerships with industry employers and workforce boards to create accredited apprenticeship opportunities.

Sustaining the integration of Clinical Services to ensure holistic participant outcomes.

These next steps build on the strong foundation established with LA2050 support and reinforce New Earth’s commitment to equitable access, economic empowerment, and healing for Los Angeles youth.

Through the LA2050 Grants Challenge, New Earth has strengthened its capacity to deliver life-changing opportunities for system-impacted young people. The partnership helped advance a proven, compassionate model that unites workforce readiness, mental-health care, and creative enterprise, ensuring that every participant has the tools to reimagine their future and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Los Angeles.

New Earth Expands Workforce Innovation and Healing Pathways for 116 System-Impacted Youth

We're excited to share final reflections on the incredible work of some of our 2024 LA2050 Grants Challenge grantees.*

This group of winners – which includes 15 Goldhirsh Foundation awardees, plus those sponsored by Conrad N. Hilton Foundation – have tackled some of the region’s most pressing issues, including preserving affordable housing, expanding economic mobility for opportunity youth, and improving access to safe and reliable transportation.

Their efforts have created meaningful progress for communities across Los Angeles County, and advanced equity, opportunity, and well-being for thousands of Angelenos. We are so grateful!

Click on the links below to read each organization’s final update…

Pueblo Nuevo Education & Development Group

The California Conference for Equality and Justice

Tía Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore

*These final reports come from the 20 of the 

 funded through the 2024 LA2050 Grants Challenge that report to the Goldhirsh Foundation (including those sponsored by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation). The other Grants Challenge funding partners handle reporting for their respective grantees.

LA2050 Blog

Impact Updates from our 2024 LA2050 Grantees!