Blossoming Birth Community Doula Training Program
Our community-based doula training (CBDT) program prepares local individuals to serve families within their own communities.
About the Community-Based Doula Training Program
At OKBEI, our goal is to increase the number of well-trained, caring doulas that are of and from the communities where high rates of maternal health disparities are most common. By educating and preparing local doulas to serve the communities they know and love, we can create nurturing, safe, and joyful birthing experiences for all.
The effectiveness of community-based doulas emerges out of the trusting relationship between the doula and the client, established through the months of pregnancy, birth and early infant care, when support is most valuable to improving the health of parent and child.
Consistent, dedicated efforts to center the client’s experiences and promote their self-advocacy help reduce maternal health disparities. Our program trains qualified applicants to serve as community-based doulas in their communities.
The program consists of a 63-hour course through Tulsa Technology Center and a 150-hour hands-on apprenticeship, ensuring that trainees graduate as certified doulas with extensive practice supporting expectant birthing parents and families, thus promoting happier, healthier, and more equitable birth experiences for all families in Oklahoma.
Partnering for Greater Impact
Blossoming Birth is a module-based curriculum designed to be adaptable to different communities by calling on local wisdom and experts. This curriculum combines evidence-based practice with local ancestral wisdom to train doulas to offer culturally-concordant care.
This curriculum was developed in partnership with SisterWeb San Francisco Community Doula Network, an organization with a deep commitment and passion to address the dire pregnancy and birth-related healthcare inequities experienced by Black and Native pregnant and birthing people.
What will I learn?
Our Community-Based Doula Training Program is the only program of its kind in Oklahoma. It is designed to prepare qualified local applicants to serve their communities. Sessions include:
Labor and delivery support techniques, Prenatal and postpartum health, Supporting lactation and infant feeding and more.
Combining ancestral wisdom with evidence-based practice, Providing culturally-concordant care and Deep listening techniques
What is the time commitment?
Our program is 9 months long. The course is 63 hours and meets for 3 hours twice a week for 10 weeks. The apprenticeship is 150 hours over six months with a max of 30 hours per month.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for the program, you must be able to attend all in-person sessions in Tulsa and be willing and able to compassionately serve your community. Due to a limited number of seats, not all qualified applicants are guaranteed admission into the program.
What is the cost?
Our program is grant-funded and provided at no cost to accepted applicants.
What does it mean to be a certified doula?
OKBEI certification is accepted under Medicaid (SoonerCare) and allows certified doulas to reimburse for the doula services they provide to eligible clients. All certified doulas will also be added to our Independent Doula Directory (link) where they can advertise their doula services.
Words From our Program graduates
