100 Doulas Rising Leadership Development Training Program
Chicago Volunteer Doulas (CVD) is excited to offer the 100 Doulas Rising Leadership Development Program, a transformative and free 9-week training program designed to empower aspiring doulas with the knowledge, skills, and leadership qualities needed to support birthing individuals and families across Chicago. This program serves as the starting point on the path to certification through DONA International, which is essential for those looking to build a career in birth work.
Program Overview
The 100 Doulas Rising program is a comprehensive, 9-week training that covers a wide range of essential topics, including:
Abortion Support Training: Learn how to provide compassionate, non-judgmental care to individuals navigating the emotional journey of abortion.
Mental Health Support Training: Equip yourself to offer empathetic guidance and create safe spaces for those facing reproductive choices and associated emotional challenges.
Traditional Labor & Lactation Support: Develop practical skills in labor support, including hands-on techniques, lactation guidance, and evidence-based information crucial for providing high-quality care during childbirth.
Postpartum Support Training: Enhance your ability to support families during their transition to parenthood and work toward certification as a postpartum doula.
CPR & First Aid Certification: Receive life-saving training through specialized CPR and first aid classes delivered by Ujimaa Medics. These classes are tailored to community care and focus on the needs of all birthing people, but especially Black birthing individuals.
In addition to these core modules, the program includes bonus training sessions focused on Financial Wellness and Housing/Homebuyer Education to help Doulas develop professionally, personally, and economically.
Labor Support Training
Our 100 Doulas Rising labor support training, uniquely designed to equip doulas with the knowledge and skills to confidently support birthing individuals throughout labor, covers the following areas:
Anatomy & Physiology: Gain a foundational understanding of the reproductive system, pregnancy progression, and fetal development.
Stages of Labor: Learn to navigate the phases of labor, from early labor to pushing, and apply effective support techniques at each stage.
Comfort Measures: Master non-medical pain management methods like breathing exercises, massage, and optimal positioning for comfort.
Emotional Support: Build skills to provide empathetic care and active listening, ensuring the birthing person and their partner feel supported.
Medical Interventions: Understand standard medical procedures, such as epidurals or cesarean births, and how to support clients through them.
Effective Communication: Develop clear, compassionate communication with clients and medical staff to advocate for the birthing person’s needs.
Breastfeeding Basics: Acquire essential knowledge to offer breastfeeding support immediately following birth.
Ethics & Professionalism: Learn the importance of cultural sensitivity, cultural competence, informed consent, and maintaining professional boundaries.
Doula Business Practices: Get practical guidance on starting and managing a successful doula practice, including marketing and client relations.
Postpartum Support Training
Our postpartum support training helps doulas nurture new families during the critical post-birth period. Key learning areas include:
Evidence-Based Practices: Learn to provide research-backed care for postpartum recovery, newborn care, and emotional support.
Holistic Family Support: Our training places a strong emphasis on supporting the birthing parent, partners, and siblings, ensuring a well-rounded family transition, and fostering a deep sense of empathy and understanding in our doulas.
Practical Skills: Our postpartum support training provides hands-on practice with techniques such as infant soothing, bathing, and breastfeeding assistance, ensuring doulas are well-prepared for their role.
Perinatal Mental Health: Identify signs of postpartum mood disorders and learn appropriate referral strategies for families needing additional support.
Lactation Guidance: Develop skills to troubleshoot breastfeeding challenges and offer appropriate support.
Cultural Competency: Understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and how to tailor your care to meet the diverse needs of families.
Ethical Conduct: In our postpartum support training, we prioritize preserving professional boundaries and confidentiality, providing ethical referrals when necessary, and ensuring doulas uphold the highest standards of care.
Instructors & Certification Pathway
Our program is led by DONA-certified trainers with extensive field experience, ensuring doula leader trainees receive top-tier education and practical skills. While completing the 100 Doulas Rising program does not automatically certify you, it provides the foundational training needed to pursue national certification. This certification is a crucial step toward becoming eligible to apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number, which is necessary for billing Medicaid and other entities for your doula services.
Time Commitment & Community Giveback
This free 9-week program requires participants to dedicate approximately 15-20 hours per week to training, which includes attending workshops, completing readings, and engaging in hands-on practice. Upon completion, we ask that Doulas commit to volunteering with Chicago Volunteer Doulas for a two-year period, during which you’ll provide much-needed support to underserved populations and help further our mission of equitable birth and reproductive care.
Inclusivity & Accessibility
Chicago Volunteer Doulas is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment. Everyone is encouraged to apply to the 100 Doulas Rising program, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, etc. We believe that diverse perspectives and experiences enrich the care we provide and strengthen our community.
Become A Doula!
The 100 Doulas Rising Leadership Development Program is more than just training; it’s a movement to empower birthworkers, transform birth outcomes, and uplift our communities. By joining this free program, you’ll gain invaluable skills and knowledge and become part of a network dedicated to making a difference, one birth at a time.
To apply, complete the application. Together, we can change the landscape of birth justice in Illinois.