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Doula Programs: Risk Management Strategies
Here are some additional strategies or considerations for doula program administrators to limit liability risks.
- Doulas are not babysitters. Participating postpartum doulas are prohibited from providing services in a home where no other responsible adult is present at the time services are rendered.
- Place restrictions on age. Set a minimum age of 18 years as a requirement for participating doulas. In my experience, there were a few younger women who desperately wanted to become volunteer doulas and did not meet this requirement, but we welcomed them into trainings and managed to get them involved in other ways until they could qualify.
- Do a criminal background check. Call your local police department to see what is involved in doing a criminal background check for all participating doulas and then build that cost into your budget. It is certainly a reasonable precaution to take when sending doulas into people’s homes.
The Doula Programs blog provides a forum for doula program visionaries and implementers to consider common challenges, ask questions, and learn from each other. Patty Brennan is the author of The Doula Business Guide: Creating a Successful MotherBaby Business.