A First-Of-Its-Kind Home-Visiting Initiative
Become a Douly Provider
Learn about the Douly Model, a first-of-its-kind home-visiting initiative designed to address gaps in access to perinatal health services in Washington County, Oregon – combining Doulas + CHWs into a new dual-certified role.
Douly Providers offer to families
Who Is This For?
Becoming a Douly Provider is perfect for doulas who:
- Are passionate about providing compassionate support to families during pregnancy, birth, and through year one of postpartum.
- Are THW credentialed in Oregon and have lived experience in marginalized communities (Black, Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latinx, LGBTQ2IA+, mental health, addiction, etc.).
- Have completed a Community Health Worker (CHW) training and are ready to complete an additional Douly Perinatal Enhanced Training.
- Are committed to community, mentorship, and the collective growth of Community Doula Alliance.
Why This Model Matters?
Communities most impacted by reproductive, social, and economic hardships often face fragmented or inaccessible perinatal support. The Douly Model fills this gap by:
- Expanding the scope and capacity of Traditional Health Workers.
- Promoting sustainability through billing pathways and workforce infrastructure.
- Embedding community grounded care into perinatal systems related to the time leading up to and through 1 year after birth.
How is Douly Care Different?
Douly Care is a home visiting program for families from pregnancy through baby’s first birthday. The enhanced care includes:
Pregnancy Support
During pregnancy, we support you
Birth Support
During birth, we are here for you
Postpartum
After baby is born, we help you
Community Resources
Be in community
Lead Douly Hub | Organizational Coach | Training Org
In 2023, Washington County was awarded federal funding from the Office of Minority Health, where we partnered with them to lead the development and implementation of the “Integrated Perinatal Home-Visiting Initiative: Douly Model, Washington County, OR.”
We are so excited to be the lead Douly Hub, Organizational Coach, and Training organization to help our community partners establish the community-based services needed to help Washington County families.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Douly Provider
Explore answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Douly Model & being a Douly Provider with Community Doula Alliance. Whether you’re interested in our training programs or family support services, we’ve got you covered!
Who is Community Doula Alliance?
Community Doula Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families and training future doulas in the Portland, Oregon area. We focus on providing culturally specific care and advocating for maternal health equity.
How can I become a Douly?
Currently, we are offering opportunities to become a Douly to our current Diverse Doula Members. This ensures families have access to a doula who not only has experience with families based on cultural and linguistic needs but also is THW credentialed.Â
If you are a THW certified doula, then you need to complete a CHW training and our enhanced Douly Perinatal Education Training (PET) built on community-defined priorities.
If you are a CHW, then you need to complete CDA’s Community Doula Training and our enhanced Douly Perinatal Education Training (PET) built on community-defined priorities.
To be part of our next training opportunity, join the waitlist to learn more about our training today!
What are the differences between a Doula & a Douly?
Doulas offer invaluable support during birth and postpartum, providing emotional, physical, and informational assistance. Studies show that having doula support can:
- Lead to better birth outcomes and a more positive birthing experience,
- Experience shorter labors with fewer interventions,
- Have newborns be healthier and more likely to breastfeed.
The benefits of doula care are even greater when there is a cultural match between the client and doula in which the doula looks like the client and understands their culture, language, and community. To find a doula that matches your preferences, complete this online form today!
A Douly Provider are health professionals who are dual-certified as a:
- Community Health Worker and
- Birth Doula in Oregon,
- Have completed a Douly Perinatal Enhanced Training (PET) built on community-defined priorities.
Douly Providers offer care through a home visiting program for families from pregnancy through baby’s first birthday.
How do Doulys get matched with a culturally specific family?
- Families complete intake with our community partner Help Me Grow to determine eligibility.
- Eligible women will be referred to a Douly Hub to be matched with a Douly Provider that meets their needs and preferences.
- Our team reviews each submission in order to connect you with a family who aligns with your cultural background, linguistic abilities, experience while considering your availability based on estimated due date.
- Families are connected with the Douly they are interested in to facilitate the interview process.
- Interviews take place.
- Families decide on which Douly they would like to work with, and the Douly Hub initiates contracts after the match process has been completed.
- You are now ready to support the family with prenatal visits, birth support, and postpartum visits.
This process is time sensitive, and we take every precaution to connect referrals to Douly Providers in a timely manner. We encourage families to consider 2-3 Douly Providers where they can finalize their choice and start working with you for prenatal, birth, and postpartum support!
How can I be a doula with CDA?
There are many options to work with CDA as a doula!
- The Community Doula Training Program: If you have not been trained previously, you can complete our Community Doula Training Program, which is OHA approved for THW credentialing. We offer comprehensive education and hands-on skill building. To join, simply sign up here for our next training session and begin your journey to becoming a trained doula.
- The Bridge Program: If you have completed a doula training* and need to complete the THW process, you can sign up for our Bridge Program that will help you obtain all of the requirements needed for state & CCO credentialing.
- The Diverse Doula Program Membership: If you are already a THW credentialed doula and are looking to be part of the Diverse Doula Program Membership, join our waitlist for the next enrollment period.
How much does it cost to become a Douly?
If you need to complete training, then the cost includes each training program (Doula/CHW). On average, each training can cost from $2,000 – $2,500 depending on the organization who leads the training.
There are payment options and scholarship opportunities available – please reach out to the organizational to learn more about them.
How can I support Community Doula Alliance?
You can support us by becoming a monthly supporter here
Other opportunities include volunteering your time, or spreading the word about our programs. Every contribution helps us continue our mission of providing equitable doula care and training!
Ready to Join?
Your future clients are waiting for you!
