Support Our Doula Training

The Black Maternal and Infant Health Equity Collaborative (BMIHEC) is a growing community initiative in which SBJN serves as a lead agency in partnership with Jackson Health System, Metro Mommy Agency, Magnolia Birth House and YWCA. Through this collaboration, SBJN offers training in labor and delivery wards at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the largest public hospital in the country. This initiative also includes training for hospital based practitioners on the tenants of the birth justice framework. We believe this type of cross sector model will build health equity infrastructure by enhancing the doula workforce. The targeted outcome of this intervention aims at breaking existing silos within healthcare institutions and addresses existing social determinants affecting Black mothers and birthing people. 

The Birth Justice Doula Training is open to the community; ideal for aspiring, new, and experienced doulas, or anyone else eager to gain skills in advocacy, holistic care, and justice in birth work. The training participants’ will develop knowledge and skills to support birthing families while improving outcomes. 

The training is a 30-hours training that will cover Birth Justice 101, Community-Based solutions to the Black Maternal/Child Health national crisis, the Birth Justice Doula Scope of Practice & Advocacy Skills, Community Births VS Hospital Birth, Supporting a Healthy Childbearing Person, Lactation Support and the Role of the Doula, Postpartum Support and the Role of the Doula, Self-Care, How We Doula (Physical Support: Hands on Skills, Emotional Support, Information Support), Supporting Through Loss, Virtual Doula Support, Abortion Doula Care, Death by Delivery (State of Maternity Care for Black women in the USA), and Preconception Health, Interconception Health & Infertility and many more topics. 

Following the 30 hours training, you will have the opportunity to pursue your certification as a Certified Birth Justice Doula. See table below with more details on the certification process. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Must reside in South Florida and be willing to commute to Jackson Memorial Hospital and surrounding areas in South Florida for trainings and sessions
• Must identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) 
• Ideal for aspiring, new, and experienced doulas, or anyone else eager to gain skills in advocacy, holistic care, and justice in birth work

Expectations

• Attend doula program info session/watch recording
• Complete Birth Justice Doula Training & Certification Requirements*
• Attend all required in-person and virtual training sessions
• Attend all required community events and doula meetups
• Complete all training and Metro Mommy Agency Mentorship Course requirements (online course on Kajabi, What Do Doulas Do training, and MOMCHA Program training)
• Attend required mentorship programming (minimum 1 group coaching session, 2 one-on-one meetings, 1 community event per month)
• Commit to a minimum of 3 hours per week to furthering professional development

*If you are already a SBJN Birth Justice Doula, although you are not required to repeat the Birth Justice Doula Training, you are still required to complete the application, interview and acceptance letter to participate in the Pilot Doula Program.

• Complete application and media release form
• Apply for Birth Justice Doula Fellowship upon completion of certification and mentorship requirements (NOTE: Only a select number of seats are available. Applicants must submit an application, interview and receive an acceptance letter into the fellowship program.)

What makes Southern Birth Justice Network's Birth Justice Doula Training & Cohort unique from other doula trainings? 

1. We train our doulas to provide Full Spectrum Doula Support that is community-based
2. We train our doulas to become Birth Justice Warriors that will advocate for the birthing people in the communities that they serve! We also support and guide our doulas during their 1-year certification journey. 
3. Our doulas learn and apply their skills directly in the community through experiential learning opportunities with our sister organization National Black Midwives Alliance, and other SBJN programs such as our Mobile Midwife Clinic and Miami Birth Justice Initiative and with partnering community birth workers and community-based organization, so you know our perspectives and approach is community focused and legacy inspired! 

“It is our duty to fight for our freedom.

It is our duty to win.

We must love each other and support each other.

We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

― Assata Shakur