To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Contract #72-197-4 with FIERCE Advocates (Families and Individuals Equitably Rooted in Collective Empowerment), Inc.
Recommendation: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Health Services Director, or designee, to execute on behalf of the County Contract #72-197-4 with FIERCE Advocates (Families and Individuals Equitably Rooted in Collective Empowerment), Inc. a non-profit corporation, in an amount not to exceed $960,000, for community-based doula support services for Black birthing people in Contra Costa County for the period October 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Contract will result in contractual service expenditures of up to $960,000 over a 3-year period and will be funded 100% by Community Development Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) Grant funds.
BACKGROUND:
This Contract meets the social needs of the County’s population by providing community-based doula support services for Black birthing people, through Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) Public Health Division’s PEI program. Contractor’s services include, but are not limited to, providing comprehensive prenatal, birth and postpartum community support through referrals, screenings, and care coordination. Contractor’s Doula services aim to reduce stress, support informed decision-making and improve protective factors such as parental resilience, social connection, and knowledge of parenting and child development, to improve Black maternal and infant health outcomes.
This Contract is entered into under and subject to the following legal authorities: California Government Code §§ 26227 and 31000; Health and Safety Code § 1451. The Public Health Quality Management, Utilization Management and Contract Monitor Staff meet on a regular basis to ensure monitoring and performance measures in the Contract are upheld. Health Services Personnel approved this Contract to ensure no conflicts with labor relations. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the specified services was issued by Public Works in June 2026 outlining the scope, requirements, and evaluation criteria for qualified service providers.
On August 12, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract #72-197-1 with FIERCE Advocates (Families and Individuals Equitably Rooted in Collective Empowerment), Inc., in an amount not to exceed $350,000, for consultation and technical assistance to assist and support the development of the Public Health Division’s Family, Maternal and Child Health Doula Program for the period April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
On March 31, 2026, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract Amendment #72-197-2 with FIERCE Advocates (Families and Individuals Equitably Rooted in Collective Empowerment), Inc., to increase the payment limit by $90,000 to an amount not to exceed $440,000, and to extend the term through June 30, 2026, for additional consultation and technical assistance to assist and support the development of the Public Health Division’s Family, Maternal and Child Health Doula Program.
On June 23, 2026, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract Amendment #72-197-3 with FIERCE Advocates (Families and Individuals Equitably Rooted in Collective Empowerment), Inc., to increase the payment limit by $150,000 to an amount not to exceed $590,000, and to extend the term through September 30, 2026, for additional consultation and technical assistance to assist and support the development of the Public Health Division’s Family, Maternal and Child Health Doula Program.
Approval of Contract #72-197-4 will allow Contractor to continue to provide community-based doula support services through June 30, 2029.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Contract is not approved, referred County participants will not have access to Contractor’s community-based doula support services for the prenatal through postpartum periods.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
“The recommendation supports the following children's outcome(s): Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing; and Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.