EMPOWER

Harlem Works introduces EMPOWER - a Community Birth Worker Training and Workforce Development Program that provides comprehensive instruction and on-going support to bilingual community members wanting to make a difference in maternal health outcomes.

What is a doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing individuals and their loved ones. During labor, a doula provides continuous support, helps their clients understand medical interventions that may occur, and supports their clients in making informed decisions. In addition to providing birth support, community-based doulas help their clients in accessing vital resources before and after they give birth. The doula plays an important care role by helping their clients fully understand and engage in their healthcare.

Graduation picture

Join EMPOWER’s next Community Birth Worker training and become a:

Full-Spectrum Doula - ($1200 value)

This training combines 25 hours of in-person instruction and practice with 25 hours of group work and self-study. This course takes place over 5 consecutive weekdays, from 10 AM - 3 PM. 

During the course, trainees will listen to short lectures, participate in group discussions, and role plays, watch videos and films, listen to interviews, and read brief articles and books. Our training materials are chosen to reflect the lived experiences of our community members. Care is given to amplifying the voices of people of color. At compilation of the 5 days, trainees will receive a certificate of completion and will be prepared to work with a community-based doula program and/or a doula in private practice.

 

Training 1

In this 50-hour training, participants will learn how to:

  • Provide emotional support to pregnant individuals and their families
  • Build trust and rapport with community clients
  • Be an effective birth team member within a hospital setting
  • Provide hands-on support to laboring individuals
  • Help clients initiate breastfeeding
  • Support clients through difficult birth experiences including traumatic births and pregnancy loss

 

In addition, participants will learn and practice:

  • Case management skills for community doula work
  • Home visiting protocols
  • Working with a doula partner and managing the on-call nature of the work
  • The requirements of HIPAA

 

Participants will also be introduced to:

  • The physiology of childbirth and common birth interventions
  • How community doula work differs from private practice
  • How to provide culturally humble care 
  • Strategies for centering joy and minimizing the fear associated with birth
  • Self-care practices and rituals for birth workers

 

Doula Certification

At program’s completion, participants will have the opportunity to certify through NMPP as a Full-Spectrum Community-Based Doula by completing the additional study and certification requirements within two years of training. Doulas earn certification when they’ve completed formal training and demonstrate competency.  Doulas are not licensed healthcare providers. 
 

EMPOWER Doula Certification Process

  • Complete the 25 hour in-person training
  • Provide home visits and birth support to 4 clients as a doula-in-training
  • Complete our birth attendance form for each birth attended
  • Submit a recorded or written reflection for each birth attended
  • Complete a birth worker business plan (we’ll provide a template and support)
  • Create a list of resources for your clients
  • Earn CPR certification
  • Attend 1 hour HIPAA training and pass a compliance quiz
  • Purchase liability insurance for your doula practice
  • Receive coaching and support from your trainers by attending 3 certification support sessions, offered virtually and throughout the year, while you complete these requirements.
Women in training

 

EMPOWER Doula trainees are expected to complete certification requirements within one year of completing the 25-hour in-person training. Extensions beyond the 1-year requirement will be granted on a case-by-case basis.


Continued Study

Upon completion of the Full-Spectrum Doula Training, trainees may continue their studies by adding on one or both of the following mini courses.

Community Birth Educator ($350 value)

  • The physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth
  • Creating Birth Preferences and Plans with clients
  • Coping in labor and informed decision making
  • Common interventions and how to support clients who receive them

 

Community Breastfeeding Educator ($350 value)

  • The importance of the mother-baby dyad, skin-to-skin, bonding and the first latch
  • How to prepare clients for breastfeeding pre-natally
  • Best practices for breastfeeding success

 

For more information about upcoming doula training sessions, send email inquiries to Info@nmppcares.org.