Michigan Birth Doula Scholarship Program The 2024 program has completed. Stay tuned for opportunities in 2025.

All scholarships are funded by the State of Michigan's Doula Initiative through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

What's included in the scholarship?

Tuition fee of $800 (training paid in full)
Stipend of $600 upon completion of training

Requirements

Complete an estimated 12 hours of self-paced study online prior to the workshop.
Attend the Zoom workshop on June 21-23, 2024 (Friday-Sunday, 8:30am-5pm EDT).
Register as a birth doula on the MDHHS Doula Registry once training is complete.

Complete the application below.

You will receive prompt confirmation that we have received your application. Awards will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis, with consideration given to distribution of applicants throughout the U.P. We have a limited number of scholarships to award. Once we have reached our limit, we will start a Wait List in case of cancellations.

Note: If you experience any difficulty submitting the form below, please copy your answers into an email and send to patty@lifespandoulas.com.

Eligibility (non-negotiable)

Must be a resident of Michigan's upper peninsula*
Must be 18 years of age or older
Must plan on becoming a Michigan Medicaid provider
Cannot have already completed birth doula training
Must be available for all three days of the training (no makeups available)
Must have access to a reliable internet connection and computer with video and audio enabled for Zoom workshop

When you become a birth doula, you help parents experience:

Reduction in fear & anxiety
Shorter length of labor
Lower rate of medical interventions in labor, including cesareans
More informed decision making
Better communication with medical care providers
Improved breastfeeding success
Enhanced mother-baby bonding & attachment
Greater satisfaction with the birth experience

Birth Doulas Help Prevent Birth Trauma

There are two components to our online Michigan Birth Doula Training:

#1
Self-Paced Online Study Modules
(12 hours)

The self-paced study materials must be completed prior to the workshop. The following topics are covered:

Nutrition, Discomforts, and Complications of Pregnancy
Medical Interventions & Informed Consent
Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas

#2
Attend an Online Workshop
(21 hours + breaks)
With Patty Brennan

The workshop will take place on Zoom on June 21-23, 2024 (Friday-Sunday, 8:30am-5pm EDT). Topics covered include:

The Doula Model of Care
Childbirth Education Basics
Birth Doula Support Skills during Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

Our Birth Doula Training program is for you if ...

You want to become a professional birth doula & open your own practice

You want to provide effective support to a sister, daughter, friend . . .

You want to serve Medicaid-eligible families in your community

You intend to have a career in maternal-infant health & want to gain knowledge & experience in the field

Others naturally turn to you in their time of need (Hint: you are already a doula!)

You feel a calling to birth work & related support services for families

birth doula certification through Lifespan Doulas

Birth Doula Certification (Optional)

Certification is optional for doulas.
MDHHS does not require certification to be listed on the Doula Registry.
If professional doula certification is desired, participants will be eligible to become a certified birth doula through Lifespan Doulas for a one-time fee of $100.