Become comprehensively trained & ready to support clients
A New Era in Doula Training
Discover how our innovative training programs are transforming the lives of doulas and the families they serve in Portland.
The "Why" behind Community Doula Training
The Community Doula Training (formerly known as PDT) Program of Community Doula Alliance is an education platform committed to training exceptional doulas at the highest levels. CDT’s approach to education uses a reproductive and economic justice, and racial equity framework in order to increase awareness and promote the number of Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, Asian and other racially diverse doulas in the workforce.
CDT provides a variety of online and in-person training that include: primary doula support, Traditional Health Worker (THW) support, doula certification, continuing education classes/workshops, community doula training and advanced doula training. PDT trainings will be translated to other languages representative of our local communities, which includes: Spanish, Swahili, Somali, etc.
We are an approved training for the Oregon Health Authority and support doulas in their professional development to become a Birth Doula on the THW Registry and Oregon Medicaid Provider.
CDT is more than a basic 4 day doula workshop
This comprehensive training is perfect for the future doulas who:
- Are passionate about providing compassionate culturally specific support to families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
- Want to be THW credentialed in Oregon and have lived experience in marginalized communities (Black, Indigenous, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latinx, LGBTQ2IA+, mental health, addiction, etc.).
- Are committed to community, mentorship, and the collective mission of the advocacy, equity, and reproductive justice framework within CDT & Community Doula Alliance.
“CDA taught me how to be the doula that I am.”
~Martina, CDA Doula & Founding DDP Member
What You'll Learn from Our Program
Our Curriculum is rooted in our C.A.R.E. Framework that centers Culturally specific care, Advocacy, Reproductive Justice, & racial Equity. We took care to weave this into every portion of our training along with the OHA Approved requirements.
Culturally Specific Care
- Skills to address cultural and community-specific needs while helping protect & reclaim traditional birth work practices.
Advocacy
- Confidence to support families and their preferences during their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys.
Reproductive Justice
- Highlighting reproductive rights with the social, political and economic inequalities that affect the access of health care for the families in our communities.
Equity
In order to improve maternal & infant outcomes, we are committed to an equity-centered approach to maternity care which has been shown to curb the rising rate of maternal mortality in the United States, particularly among women of color.
Looking for an OHA Approved Training?
Our training is designed to equip birth workers with a direct pathway to obtain their THW Credentials with the following OHA requirements:
HIPAA Compliance
Trauma-Informed Care
Inter Professional Collaboration
Train with CDA!
Ready to join us and step into your passion to support families?
Here are your training options:
Training only
50+ hours included- Be part of an OHA Approved doula training
- Over 50 hours of hybrid (in-person & virtual) class sessions
- Hands-on interactive skills lab
- BONUS: The Educated Birth Toolkit
- THW business support
- Diverse Doula Program Membership
Training + Bridge + Membership
Full Package- Be part of an OHA Approved doula training
- Over 50 hours of hybrid (in-person & virtual) class sessions
- Hands-on interactive skills lab
- BONUS: The Educated Birth Toolkit
- THW business support
- Diverse Doula Program Membership
Training + Bridge
50+ hours & THW support- Be part of an OHA Approved doula training
- Over 50 hours of hybrid (in-person & virtual) class sessions
- Hands-on interactive skills lab
- BONUS: The Educated Birth Toolkit
- THW business support
- Diverse Doula Program Membership
Frequently Asked Questions for Doula Training
Explore answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Community Doula Training. Whether you’re interested in our training programs or family support services, we’ve got you covered!
ABOUT YOUR TRAINERS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
- Provided Texts & Resources
- Course binder & notebook
- The Birth Partner: Revised 5th Edition By Penny Simkin
- Understanding Birth book + web app
- Understanding Breastfeeding book + web app
- Understanding Mother & Baby Care book + web app
- These books and resources will be passed out in class.
- Reading homework is highly recommended but not required for course completion.
- There will be additional readings and supportive assignments handed out each class.
Learning Activities Throughout This Course: Lecture, discussion, videos, writing, demonstration, role play, small-group feedback, scenarios, podcasts, in-class exercises, reading, journaling, homework exercises.
IN-PERSON LECTURE & DISCUSSION LOCATION
VIRTUAL MENTORSHIP & CASE STUDY
BECOMING A COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA
- Highly trained & skilled to provide prenatal, birth and postpartum support
- Provides more prenatal and postpartum visits
Community-Based Doulas identify as a member of the racial, ethnic, linguistic, religious, LGBTQ, or lived experience (addictions, homelessness, DV/IPV, teen pregnancy, refugee, military, incarcerated, etc.) community that they serve. As an organization, Community Doula Alliance’s Portland Doula Training program, uses a reproductive and economic justice, and racial equity framework in order to increase awareness and promote the number of Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, Asian and other racially diverse doulas in the workforce.
COMMUNITY DOULA ALLIANCE COMMITMENT TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONALISM & SUSTAINABILITY
- State and THW Registry Approved Programs
- Community-Based Organizations
- Hospital Doula Programs
- Doula Agencies/Collectives
- Grow your own Private Doula Business
- Join the Diverse Doula Project of Community Doula Alliance (Doula Agency and Medicaid Billing Hub)
FEES & PAYMENT STRUCTURE
Training Only Course Fee: $1,400
Training + Bridge Fee: $2,000
Training + Bridge + Membership Fee: $2,350
Coursework provides 57 contact hours
-
- 30 hours of in-person class time
- 20 hour of virtual case study and mentorship
- 7 hours of skills validation
Most other doula training programs are weekend trainings that minimally meet the OR State THW Registration contact hours. Our training is an OHA Approved Birth Doula Training Curriculum.
SCHOLARSHIPS & PAYMENT SCHEDULE OPTIONS
We offer payment options as well as scholarships. You can submit your scholarship assistance application here.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE OPTIONS
o In-full payment receives a 10% discount
o 4 equal payments of $350 at the following intervals:
– 1st payment due upon application acceptance
– 2nd payment due by class 2
– 3rd payment due by class 5
– 4th payment due by class 7
ACCEPTABLE METHODS OF PAYMENT
o Cash
o Check
o Credit Card – invoice will be issued for payment(s)
o Scholarship – click here to fill-out the Scholarship Tuition Assistance Application
ACCEPTABLE METHODS OF PAYMENT
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card – invoice will be issued for payment(s)
- Scholarship (If you’d like more information regarding doula training scholarship, email [email protected])