Mission, Values, and Vision
Our Mission
To promote healthy families by fostering a community that educates, empowers, and supports pregnant women, their growing families, and professionals who work with them during the childbearing year.
Our Core Values
Birth Matters
Recognize that the quality and experience of birth and early parenthood are important and have far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. This critical period of transition presents a unique opportunity for personal growth and transformation.
Empowerment
Encourage program participants to make conscious choices, cultivate feelings of competence and self-esteem, and take personal responsibility for their health.
Education
Provide information that encourages informed decision-making, preventive action, and holistic approaches to complex problems.
Pregnancy and Birth as Normal Life Events
Endorse the Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative as developed by the national Coalition to Improve Maternity Services (CIMS). This initiative promotes the Midwifery Model of Care and breastfeeding as optimal for mothers and babies.
Social and Emotional Support
Recognize that families need special care and support during pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum adjustment period. Since doulas have emerged as specialized care providers who can meet this need, the Center is committed to making doulas widely available to all families. When mothers are nurtured, they become better nurturers.
Breastfeeding
Provide education, advocacy, and support so that mothers who want to breastfeed will have every opportunity to have a successful and joyful experience. Encourage all mothers to consider breastfeeding. Endorse the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative as developed by WHO-UNICEF.
Equal Access
Reduce disparities and improve maternal-infant health outcomes for all families by ensuring equal access to education, resources, and services.
Unique Resources
Increase the availability of resources for the childbearing year that are unavailable locally or hard to find in the mainstream commercial and informational markets.
Community
Foster development of a supportive community of childbearing families and professionals who serve them. Provide a space for this community to thrive and encourage networking.
Joyful Service
Engage in joyful service to others within the organization itself, through community partnerships, and promotion of volunteerism.
Vision
To be recognized and respected, locally and nationally, for changing the lives of new and expectant parents through our comprehensive, cutting-edge programs.
Introduction to Doulas Care
Doulas Care is a 501c3 non-profit organization working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce health disparities by matching qualified volunteer doulas with pregnant women and adolescents who have limited resources. As special mentors, doulas provide educational, emotional, physical, and logistical support to women and their families. Doulas Care also helps the volunteers by providing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience soon after training and opens a professional pathway in the field of maternal and infant health.
We are located at the Center for the Childbearing Year, 722 Brooks Street Ann Arbor Michigan 48103 and we can be reached at 734-332-8070
or toll-free at 1-866-845-0003 or for Spanish Speakers at 734-478-0045.
Population Served
Community-based doulas serve families with limited resources in the following counties of southeastern Michigan: Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, Genesee, Livingston, Ingham, Jackson, and Monroe. In 2007, the program served over 200 families. Since 2000, the program has grown between 25% and 90% per year. As an outreach program, Doulas Care receives referrals primarily from pregnant women themselves or through social workers and prenatal care providers.
Latino Community Outreach. Doulas Care has been able to recruit and train a small cadre of bi-cultural and bi-lingual volunteer doulas who are now providing a growing number of Latina women in Washtenaw County with free doula services. More bilingual doulas are needed to work with the program.
Services Provided
The volunteer doulas are community outreach workers who provide unique social, emotional, and educational support during the childbearing year. They do not provide medical care services.
Services During Pregnancy
- Prenatal visits — provide a minimum of three home visits.
- Phone support between visits.
- Education — provide nutritional information and encouragement to clients. Educational efforts are aimed at preventing complications such as pre-term labor, low birth weight, and postpartum depression.
- Mentoring and emotional support — doulas concentrate on building a relationship and empowering the pregnant woman.
- Assistance in arranging transportation to prenatal care and childbirth classes.
- Accessing community resources — Doulas are trained to identify social risk factors and promote risk reduction. They make referrals and educate clients about available community resources as needed.
Services During Labor & Birth
- One-on-one labor support — Doulas stay with the woman throughout her labor.
- Mediation and advocacy — Doulas assist families in their navigation of the health care system. A multi-lingual Doula (or one who knows sign language) can serve as a woman’s interpreter and facilitate communication with her caregivers.
- Doulas do not take the place of dads or other family members, but facilitate everyone’s optimal participation, respecting the mother’s wishes.
- Promote skin-to-skin contact and MotherBaby bond.
Postpartum Services
- Home visits — provide a minimum of three postpartum home visits.
- Ongoing phone support.
- Education on newborns and infant care skills, breastfeeding skills, maternal recovery, and coping skills.
- Breastfeeding support.
- Facilitate MotherBaby bond and attachment.
- Postpartum depression screening.
- Referrals — Doulas increase access to community services for women and families at risk.
- Extended in-home doula help is available to low-income families in need of some extra support. Typically, the doulas provide a minimum of 2-3 visits, lasting 2-4 hours each, for 2-6 weeks postpartum. In special circumstances, care may extend up to 3 months and/or a team of doulas may be assigned to the family. This program initiative is aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of postpartum depression. The doulas also hope to increase breastfeeding success.
The Volunteers
Currently there are approximately 50 volunteers ranging in age from women in their twenties to sixties. It is a diverse group. Some are former homemakers with grown children who are now able to offer their experience, time, and energy to new families. Others are students exploring career options in nursing, midwifery, or medicine who value the opportunity to work with women in a community setting as they consider a health care career. We also have retired nurses who are establishing a second career doing work they love. Some volunteers are professional doulas or intend to become self-employed professional doulas. And others are social workers, outreach workers, and educators who already work with with pregnant women on their jobs and are interested in enhancing the quality of their interactions and support. Many volunteers are young mothers themselves who simply love the work. A remarkable feature characterizing this group of volunteers is their passion for helping moms and babies.
Steps to Becoming a Volunteer
- Complete Birth or Postpartum Doula Training (available through the Center for the Childbearing Year). If you have already completed doula training through another organization, simply provide evidence that this is the case.
- Sign up for and attend the Volunteer Orientation. Once you have completed this free training, you will be registered as a volunteer in the program and will be eligible to receive client referrals.
- Register for and attend the Outreach Worker Training as soon as possible after becoming a volunteer with the program.
Volunteer Orientation Schedule for 2008
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION, Part I
Thursday, 6:30-9:30pm
April 24, June 12, or September 25
This free three-hour training will introduce you to the Doulas Care Program and prepare you to begin to receive client referrals. You will meet the staff who administer the program, as well as other volunteer doulas. You will learn how the referral process works, how to use program forms with your clients, how to access community resources, how to screen for depression, and the overall policies and procedures for volunteers. Beverages and snacks are provided. You will also receive your customized Doulas Care tote bag, nametag, and Orientation Manual for attending this training.
OUTREACH WORKER TRAINING, Part II
Saturday, 8:30am-5pm
May 3 or November 15
This full-day free training focuses on issues of risk and other challenges of working as a volunteer for Doulas Care. Volunteers must attend this training at the earliest opportunity after completing the initial orientation session. We will cover: the doula’s role regarding medical and social risks, domestic violence awareness, values clarification, cultural competency and the needs of unique groups, establishing boundaries with clients, postpartum depression, and more. Breakfast and lunch are provided. You will also receive a customized Doulas Care t-shirt for attending this training.
Scholarship Program for Aspiring Doulas
A limited number of Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula Trainingscholarships are available to qualified candidates interested in serving as volunteer doulas with the Doulas Care Program.Scholarships cover the full cost of training, including the prerequisite classes and the two-part Volunteer Orientation training. You must be available for all dates in the package to be eligible. Scholarships for doula training are provided as a means of ensuring that the Doulas Care Program stays community based. Women who have a passion for working with mothers during the childbearing year are recruited from targeted communities served byDoulas Care. Women who receive scholarships are trained and then engaged as a skilled support person for other women in their community.
In exchange for training, scholarship recipients provide free services for a minimum of five pregnant women or 50 hours of free postpartum care. An effort is made in the recruitment process to attract low-income women seeking career opportunities as well as women who may already be serving informally as untrained doulas to women in their communities. Through the scholarship program we are making more doulas available and ensuring that cost of training will not be a prohibitive factor to anyone who has it in her heart to do this work. The scholarship program offered by Doulas Care in collaboration with The Center for the Childbearing Yearwhich provides the DONA approved Doula training, is grant and donor funded to support our efforts to ensure we can provide a doula to every woman who wants one, regardless of ability to pay.
If awarded a scholarship, you will be asked to sign a contract that summarizes your agreement to provide free doula services to low-income families as outlined below. We ask that all applicants give serious consideration to their ability to follow through on this commitment in a timely manner.
If you have questions about your eligibility for a scholarship or about the application process, you can address all questions to Marylee Scherdt, Director of Doulas Care, 734-332-8070 or email Doulas Care (this email is being protected by spam bots; you will need Javascript enabled to view it).
Applicant Qualifications
For All Candidates:
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a high school graduate (GED acceptable)
- Be a resident of one of the following counties in southeastern Michigan: Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, Genesee, Livingston, Ingham, Jackson, or Monroe (we are in particular need of Doulas in Wayne, Jackson and Genesee counties)
- Plan to continue to reside in one of the counties listed long enough to fulfill your volunteer commitment as outlined below.
- Be available for training dates, including orientation dates (see training packages below)
- Have transportation available
- Priority will be given to individuals with limited economic resources who live in communities where more volunteer doulas are needed. Bi-lingual and bi-cultural doulas, especially Spanish, Arabic, and French-speaking applicants, are encouraged to apply.
For Birth Doula Applicants:
- Have demonstrated an interest in working with pregnant women or new mothers and their babies.
- Commit to participate in the volunteer Doulas Care program and provide free services to five women that includes: three prenatal visits, birth support, and three postpartum home visits. The return services should be completed within two years of finishing the training. Please be aware that this commitment involves being “on-call” 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a period of two weeks before and two weeks after the woman’s due date. Once she births, of course, you are no longer on call, but do need to remain available to provide needed postpartum support services. Please consider if you have inflexible work hours or an unreliable childcare situation which are incompatible with being “on-call.
For Postpartum Doula Applicants:
- Have demonstrated an interest in working with new mothers and babies.
- Commit to participate in the Doulas Care program and provide 50 hours of free postpartum services to low-income families in need. Hours should be completed within one year of finishing the training.
Birth Doula Training Packages & Application Deadlines
Option I
Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas, June 6
Birth Doula Training, June 7 & 8
Volunteer Orientation, Part I, June 12
Volunteer Orientation, Part II, November 15
Application Deadline: May 16
Option II
Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas, August 15
Birth Doula Training, August 16 & 17
Volunteer Orientation, Part I, September 25
Volunteer Orientation, Part II, November 15
Application Deadline: July 25
Option III
Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas, November 7
Birth Doula Training, November 8 & 9
Volunteer Orientation, Part I, To Be Announced for 2009
Volunteer Orientation, Part II, November 15
Application Deadline: October 17
Postpartum Doula Training Packages & Application Deadlines
Option I
Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation, June 21, 2008
Post Partum Doula Training, July 25-27, 2008
Volunteer Orientation I, September 25, 2008
Volunteer Orientation II, November 15, 2008
Application Deadline May 30, 2008
Option II
Professional Education in Breastfeeding & Lactation, November 22
Postpartum Doula Training, December 5–7
Volunteer Orientation, Part I, To Be Announced for 2009
Volunteer Orientation, Part II, To Be Announced for 2009
Application Deadline: November 7
How to Apply
Please click on one of the Scholarship Application links below and fill it out. Your application can be emailed (see above), dropped off at the Center, or mailed to:
Doulas Care
722 Brooks St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
In order to be considered for a scholarship, applications need to be received by 5pm on the deadline date. You will be notified in writing of your status within one week after the deadline date. If you do not regularly check your email, it is best that you leave the email address on the application blank. If you are turned down for a scholarship, you will have a limited-time opportunity to still register for the desired training at the posted early registration discounted fee. Your notification letter will explain the terms.
Click hereto download the Birth Doula Training Scholarship Application.
Click here to download the Postpartum Doula Training Scholarship Application.
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the scholarship applications. If you don’t already have Acrobat on your computer you can download it for free from Adobe’s website.
Support Group & Continuing Education
Doulas Care is connected to two amazing events coming up next week that are fundraisers for our work to support women and families:
Thursday, August 14th 7-9pm “Working with Survivor Moms” This workshop will provide an overview of post traumatic stress, trauma and the evidence-based studies of the effects of sexual abuse on childbearing. The presenters will discuss issues of confidentiality and the importance of boundaries, as well as outlining how maternity and mental health professionals can collaborate to facilitate healing and post traumatic growth. Onsite sales of the presenters new book, Survivor Moms will benefit the Doulas Care Program. Presenters are Mickey Sperlich MA, CPM and Julia Seng PhD CNM.
This event will be held at Center for the Childbearing Year, 722 Brooks St., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Fee $10; 1.5 Nursing and Doula CEUs approved (add $20 to fee for CEU processing); free to Doulas Care Volunteers. Books for sale: $35 for community members, $25 for Doulas Care volunteers. Please plan to bring cash or check for fee and book purchases. A portion of the proceeds benefit Doulas Care. Call Doulas Care at 734-332-8070 to RSVP and reserve a book.
Sunday, August 17th, 6pm Orgasmic Birth film showing in Monroe. A group of doulas from NW Ohio are showing this film in Monroe, MI with proceeds going to Doulas Care. This documentary examines the intimate nature of birth and the powerful role it plays in women’s lives when they are permitted to experience it fully. Please spread the word about this great opportunity to check out the film while also supporting our efforts to support women and families in Michigan.
“Orgasmic Birth”, directed and produced by Debra Pascali-Bonaro, film showing by the Holistic Doulas of Northwest Ohio with guest speaker Linda Johnson, CNM of Mothers Own Birthcenter. Location: 2470 Blue Bush Rd., Monroe, MI 48162.
Admission $5, profit to be donated to Doulas Care
For more information about the event email ncb_advocate@live.com To learn more about the film see: http://www.orgasmicbirth.com/
–The Doulas Care Team
Support Group for Doulas
The doula support group is an excellent venue for sharing information, comparing experiences, and meeting colleagues. This free group meets the first Thursday of every month from 7–9pm. *Please note there are two exceptions during the summer months.
May 1: Body Mechanics for Doulas
This workshop will include information and massage techniques for physically supporting clients before and during labor. While supporting clients it is also important for Doulas to use safe body mechanics for themselves, thus safe body mechanics and self care tips for doulas will be covered. Amy Brewer, Certified Pregnancy Massage Therapist
June 5: Sensitivity Training for Working with Low-Literacy or ESL Clients
Washtenaw Literacy will cover the challenges faced by individuals struggling to read, write and speak English. We will talk about how to problem solve solutions to make them successful in their lives. Megan Jenkins, from Washtenaw Literacy
*July 17th: Support Group for Spanish Speaking Doulas
This is a chance for Spanish speaking Doulas to come together and share experiences and problem solve. Joliba Honzaki will be sharing tips and information for providing culturally appropriate services to Spanish speaking clients, as well as bringing client suggestions and feedback. Joliba Honzaki, Latina Outreach Coordinator for Doulas Care
August is a With Women CEU Presentation (see below)
September 4: When a Baby Has its First Drink Before Birth
This presentation will describe how alcohol can affect the developing fetus, offer suggestions for discussing drinking habits with pregnant clients, provide information about local resources, including substance abuse treatment and advocacy programs and the University of Michigan’s Fetal Alcohol Diagnosis and Intervention Clinic. Personal experiences parenting a fetal alcohol affected child will be shared. Marie Heys, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Betsy and Vern Soden, adoptive parents of a fetal alcohol affected young man. All are staff members of the U of M’s Fetal Alcohol Diagnosis and Intervention Clinic.
October 2: Community Resources Information Session
This presentation will share information about community resources available for clients, specific services offered through different programs, and the requirements in place for benefiting from these services. Examples of programs discussed are Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Department of Human Services. Nelda Murphy, Doulas Care Social Work Consultant
November is a With Women CEU presentation (see below)
December 4: Doula Appreciation Night
A night of pampering to thank the wonderful volunteers of the Doulas Care Program! Hosted by the Doulas Care Staff and Board of Directors.
To register, call 734-332-8070 or email Doulas Care (this email is being protected by spam bots; you will need Javascript enabled to view it).
Continuing Education Opportunities
Numerous opportunities are provided for volunteers to increase their knowledge base and enhance their skills as doulas.
A quarterly educational series called With Women: Emerging Issues in Care for the Childbearing Year is offered each year. This forum is open to other professionals in the community for a fee, but is free for our volunteer doulas. It is approved for 1.5 nursing and doula CEUs.
- Fee $10; 1.5 Nursing and Doula CEUs approved; add $20 to fee for CEU processing; free to Doulas Care Volunteers
The 2008 With Women Series Schedule:
August 14th “Working with Survivor Moms” This workshop will provide an overview of post traumatic stress, trauma and the evidence-based studies of the effects of sexual abuse on childbearing. The presenters will discuss issues of confidentiality and the importance of boundaries, as well as outlining how maternity and mental health professionals can collaborate to facilitate healing and post traumatic growth. Onsite sales of the presenters new book, Survivor Moms will benefit the Doulas Care Program. Presenters are Mickey Sperlich MA, CPM and Julia Seng PhD CNM.
November 6 Signs of Healthy Mother/Infant Attachment. This presentation will provide informationon how to recognize healthy maternal infant attachments, what to look for and how to support a mother if signs of healthy attachment are not present. Presenter Maria Muzik, MD psychiatrist, University of Michigan.
The Center for the Childbearing Year offers a number of other programs for a fee, all carrying CEUs for doulas to use toward their re-certification. These include:
- Professional Education in Breastfeeding & Lactation
- Small Business Development Training
- Postpartum Home Vists: Adjustment Needs, Depression Screening, & Support Strategies
- Rebozos, Palpation, Baby Mapping, & More!
- Alternative Therapies for the Childbearing Year
Meet the Doulas Care staff
Lisa Kane Low has been a nurse-midwife since 1986 working in a variety of roles including clinical practice, administration, and education. She received her BSN from the University of Michigan, an MS in midwifery from the University of Illinois, and a PhD in nursing focused on women’s health from the School of Nursing, along with a graduate certificate in women’s studies from the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Lisa served as a program development specialist and grant writer for the Center’s Doulas Care Program since December 2001 and as of January 2008, she became the Executive Director of Doulas Care in a volunteer capacity. Lisa also works at the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and the Women’s Studies Department. She teaches women’s health courses and conducts research related to care practices during labor and birth. In addition, she is in clinical practice with the University of Michigan Nurse-Midwifery service. Her research interests and publications focus on support and care practices during labor, and adolescent pregnancy and childbearing.
Marylee Scherdt serves as the Program Director for the Doulas Care. Marylee is the caring voice on the phone assisting women who call to find a doula. She also serves as a mentor for the volunteers helping them to access resources and problem-solve any challenges they may be experiencing. Marylee has a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University. She has had the privilege of working with new families since 1999. During that time she has worked as a certified postpartum doula, served as a Doulas Care volunteer, volunteered as a facilitator for a Postpartum Depression support group, and is a former member of the Board of Directors at the Center. As the mother of three children, Marylee has been actively parenting for over 24 years.
Jamie Wazenkewitz is the Client Services Coordinator for Doulas Care. She is a dual masters student at the University of Michigan studying Social Work and Public Health, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Whitman College. She has experience in early childhood parent education and was an autism verbal/social skills therapist for several years. She has a son, Dylan, and loves supporting families in their childbearing and parenting years.
Joliba Honzaki serves as the Latina Outreach Coordinator for the Doulas Care Program and has also worked as a volunteer doula with the program.
Nelda Murphy, MSW, serves as a Social Work Consultant to the program in addition to being a volunteer doula herself. She provides consultation to the Volunteer Coordinator to help support new families dealing with postpartum issues and other challenges. Nelda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Education from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She has 16 years of experience working in the community, providing therapy, doing research, and finding resources to help families in need of supportive services. Nelda is also a mom of 9 years and a School Social Worker who is passionate about helping families during the childbearing year.
To Make a Referral
If you provide services to pregnant women or otherwise know of a woman who could benefit from having a doula, please give your client/friend our toll free number, 866-845-0003 and encourage her to call. If the woman is a Spanish-only speaker, she can call 734-478-0045.
We can also provide your agency/business with Doulas Care client brochures in both English and Spanish that you are welcome to pass out. In addition, program staff are available to come and speak to your group about our program and answer any questions you may have. To schedule a presentation or outreach event, please call 734-332-8070 or email Doulas Care (this email is being protected by spam bots; you will need Javascript enabled to view it).
To Find a Doula
Call toll free 866-845-0003
A staff member will do a brief phone interview with you to determine eligibility and then proceed to find a doula who is available to work with you.