Become a member of HER. family

HER. Family Doula Services focuses on inclusive and comprehensive care of the WHOLE family , therefore we do have an intensive certification process that is based on a mentorship program. The program can be completed in 3-5 months if working at a moderate pace. 

Fees: 

Segments 1-3: $500

Segment 4: $500

Probationary fee is assessed per case, and is automatically deducted from contract pay at a rate no less than 20%. 

1. Reproductive Health and Pregnancy: Understanding the various stages of pregnancy, fertility, and reproductive health to offer comprehensive support. This subsegment will cover avoiding pregnancy, establishing care during pregnancy, common reasons for high risk diagnosis, pregnancy milestones, routine testing/options, basic nutrition for pregnancy, common discomforts/relief. Two essays will be required to PASS this section.
2. Birth and Labor Support: Learning about the different birthing options and techniques to provide physical and emotional support during childbirth. Learning about the common factors that cause discomfort, pain and other sensations during labor and birth and the reasons specific techniques are used. Meditation, visualization, aromatherapy, and hydrotherapy are some of the fundamentals that are covered. Additionally, cesarean birth will be covered. Oral exam with role play will be required to PASS. 
3. Postpartum Care: Understanding the postpartum period and providing support to new parents during this time. This includes meal prep, light housekeeping expectations, breastfeeding basics, bottle feeding education, and more. Learning about PPMD and how to assess for as well as establish a trusting relationship that encourages families to get the appropriate help if experiencing PPMD. Cesarean recovery will be included in this subsegment. Written exam will be required to PASS. 
4. The Role of the Doula:  This subsegment is the critical information on the role of the doula, expectations, limitations, scope and beyond. To PASS this segment a powerpoint presentation must be created to explain the understanding of a doula, roles, responsibilities and highlight the information that a consumer would need in order to make an informed decision on hiring a doula. 

1. Elective Abortion Support: Developing sensitivity and empathy to support individuals facing elective abortion decisions. Includes basic education on abortion methods, laws, and support measures pre/during/post termination. This subsegment will only cover ELECTIVE terminations NOT resulting from medical diagnosis.
2. Adoption Support: Understanding the adoption process and providing emotional support to individuals involved.
3. Complex Cases and Choices: Understanding the complex emotions that surround a family facing a fatal or other diagnosis where termination may be recommended as an option, but may not be the wishes of the family. These situations are high emotion for all involved and require an immense understanding of the personalized support a family may need at this time. This subsegment will cover  terminations, planned induction, neonatal demise, and stillbirth. 
4. Self-Care for Families: Emphasizing the importance of self-care to  and maintain emotional well-being. Creating a memorial, photography and locating services will be covered in this subsegment.

1. Cultural Competency and Inclusivity: Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in doula care. Providing inclusive and respectful care is the highlight of HER. Family. This will include understanding of the current state of the nation regarding BIPOC mothers, LGBTQ+ families and how to support those that are at high risk for medical mistreatment. Highlighting the impact doulas have on reducing adverse outcomes while supporting a healthy, healing experience for each person under our care, one essay will be required to PASS this subsegment.
2. Communication and Advocacy: Learning effective communication skills to advocate for the needs and desires of the clients. Utilizing active listening skills and efficient charting will help in addressing concerns of the client both in private conversation as well as in the clinical setting where the family may be at risk of miscommunication errors, coercion, or other scenarios where advocacy is needed to protect the clients rights and wishes. Utilizing the BRAIN method of informed consent, addressing informed refusal, as well as tactics to pass along to clients in order to ensure they are respected in the clinical setting, know the patient bill of rights and how to seek a patient advocate/file a grievance.  Role/Play sessions will be the method of testing to PASS.
3. Self-Care for Doulas: Emphasizing the importance of self-care to prevent burnout and maintain emotional well-being. This includes setting up a network (beyond HFDS) of related professionals that can understand and empathize with your mental/emotional load. A professional therapist is recommended, however established peers in the doula field is a great start. 
4. Ethics and Boundaries: Establishing ethical guidelines and maintaining professional boundaries in the doula-client relationship. Including how to end a professional relationship, what are some reasons a client may reach out to you post-contract, how to address violations of boundaries with clients and other professionals. Oral exam required to PASS.

1. Community Resources: Understanding available community resources and how to connect clients with appropriate support. Doulas will be provided a list of local resources, websites links and other available tools to support not only clients, but themselves as well. Review of gathered resources to determine PASS. 
2. Practical Skills: Training in comfort measures, breathing techniques, and various physical support methods for labor. This will take place in the form of mock sessions, shadowing, and observation. Practical Skills sessions are a pass/fail model and will be allowed two opportunities during the MOCK sessions to complete the care required in order to proceed to shadowing. After each (2) SHADOWING sessions, a written component will be assessed for understanding of the support provided, to include what need was met by the doula and a summary of the experience. Must pass both components in order to move forward into observation. During the final phase of Skills Training/Assessment, Lead Doula will observe the mentee for (2) sessions in each category: Prenatal, Birth and Session of Choice. Trainer will provide direct feedback during the first observation (per category) and the second session must be deemed "PASSING" without intervention, in order to complete segment. 

With PASSING completion of all  segments a mentee doula can request a probationary period of 6-12 months where clients will be assigned, as well as care oversight with 1:1 support with established HFDS doulas. Once the probationary period is complete the doula will hold the title of Certified Doula with HER. Family Doula Services and may service clients independently or maintain a position within HER. Family. Doulas that DO NOT request probationary period will be considered TRAINED only and will not carry the HER. Family endorsement.