For the first time, doulas are covered under a Medicaid plan in Texas. Through GALS advocacy, GALS is proud to offer Doulas to Dell Children’s Health Plan Medicaid programs as a value added benefit .
Read the GALS 2023 Impact Report
Dedicated to advancing reproductive justice in Central Texas and beyond, we are improving birth outcomes and ensuring no one births alone.
GALS provides low-income and BIPOC families with wrap-around perinatal support through the following programs: On-Call Birth Support for those actively in labor through postpartum, a Full Spectrum Doula Program, a Postpartum Doula Support Program, Jail Support Program for those pregnant/postpartum at the Travis County Correctional Complex, and a collaborative Maternal Health Equity Collaborative program called Childcare for Black Mamas that offers free perinatal childcare to support health and mental health care visits and respite care for Black families. Since 2009, over 800 families have received support from our programs in Central Texas. GALS has supported families as far north as Temple/Killeen and as far south as San Marcos, TX.
GALS believes supporting the community also means supporting doulas.
GALS has been instrumental in training and mentoring new and experienced birth workers, with an emphasis on perinatal mental health and the provision of trauma-informed, culturally congruent care. GALS maintains an active collective of 50 birthworkers and trains nearly 100 new advocates each year— removing the barriers of certification and relying on a community framework to address maternal mortality and morbidity, thus honoring the traditions and history of birthwork in the U.S. GALS is purposeful in uplifting Black and Indigenous leaders to head programs and direct training. Antiracism training is required for all Board members, Leadership, and birthworkers, and on-going support ensures the work to dismantle systems of harm continues. GALS prioritizes accessible, inclusive, and equitable birthworker training and opportunities for maximum maternal health impact. GALS also champions the work of doulas and birthworkers knowing this work relies heavily on relationship and trust building with families, as well as an on-call lifestyle that limits their ability to support more than 2-4 families a month. GALS believes doulas should be paid a living wage for the care they provide to the community.
The Board of Directors and Leadership of Giving Austin Labor Support, together with birth workers, volunteers, stakeholders and the greater Austin community, created the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan for Giving Austin Labor Support.
More and more people in Central Texas are recognizing the impact of doulas on improving maternal health outcomes, and investing in GALS with time, talent, and financial donations. After three years of growth and expansion, GALS is now excited to deepen our programs- ensuring families are receiving high quality care, that birthwork and care work is sustainable, and that staff capacity is strengthened.
Click to view the speech given by GALS Staff at Prom
There is space for you in GALS- because we can’t do this work in solitude. We know the systems are broken, but the glue is community.
GALS no-cost services for families is only possible through your monthly donation. By sponsoring a GALS doula, you sustain birthwork for the GALS team and ensure families get the care they need to have a safe and supported birth.
Are you willing to be a drop-off hub for your community? Collect new and gently used pregnancy and baby supplies, sort, inventory, and clean items. You may also coordinate with the GALS team to get supplies to families who need them.
Our twice annual baby shower, in partnership with Maternal Health Equity Collaborative, reaching over 1,000 people. Help us transport, sort and organize donations, and help families get the gear they need.
Photos by LAYLA AND STEVIE PHOTOGRAPHY
