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Doula Training Scholarships Available

Doulas Care 2008 Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted!

A limited number of Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula Training scholarships are available to qualified candidates interested in serving as volunteer doulas in our community-based 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.

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 any questions or concerns, please contact Marylee Scherdt at 734-332-8070 to discuss your situation.

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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 (sorry, no exceptions)
  • 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)
  • Be interested in working towards Professional Doula Certification
  • 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 5 women that includes: 3 prenatal visits, birth support, and 3 postpartum home visits. Services must be completed within 18 months of finishing the training. Please be aware that this commitment involves being "on-call" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a period of two weeks before and 2 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. Inflexible work hours or an unreliable childcare situation 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.

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Birth Doula Training Packages & Application Deadlines

Option I.  

Birth Doula Training, February 23 & 24

Volunteer Orientation, Part I, April 24

Volunteer Orientation, Part II, May 3

     Deadline:  February 1

Option II. 

Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas, March 7

Birth Doula Training, March 8 & 9

Volunteer Orientation, Part I, April 24

Volunteer Orientation, Part II, May 3

     Deadline:  February 15

Option III

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

     Deadline:  May 16

Option IV

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

     Deadline:  July 25

Option V

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

     Deadline:  October 17

Postpartum Doula Training Packages & Application Deadlines

Option I.

Professional Education in Breastfeeding & Lactation, March 15 

Postpartum Doula Training, April 4-6

Volunteer Orientation, Part I, April 24

Volunteer Orientation, Part II, May 3 

     Deadline:  March 14

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

     Deadline:  November 14 

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How To Apply

Please click on one of the Scholarship Application links below and fill it out. Your application can be emailed to us, dropped by our Center in person, or mailed to:

Doulas Care
722 Brooks St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

or email to  

In order to be considered for a scholarship, applications must be in our hands by 5pm on the deadline date. Confirmation of receipt of your application will not be made automatically, however you can follow-up with email (preferable) or a phone call if you like. You will be notifed 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 here to 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. 

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