CONGRATULATIONS & WELCOME! Michigan Birth Doula Training Scholarship Recipients
We are delighted that you have chosen Lifespan Doulas for your professional training needs. Please read the information on this page regarding how to access all training components and benefits included in this scholarship package. And let me know if you have any questions or concerns (email patty@lifespandoulas.com).
All scholarships are funded by the State of Michigan's Doula Initiative.
You cannot access this webpage from our website menu. You need the link, so I recommend that you bookmark it for future reference.
Please check your email regularly for updates and information about this training and ensure that we have a current email address for you.
Accessing the Self-Paced Online Training Modules
Along with notification of your scholarship award, you should receive an invitation from Thinkific, our online learning platform, giving you access to the self-paced study modules. If you do not receive an invitation within 24 hours, please check your spam folder. If it's not there, then email patty@lifespandoulas.com.
You will see two programs in your student portal on Thinkific. We suggest you complete them in the following order:
#1. Michigan Birth Doula Training
#2. Breastfeeding Basics for Doulas
You must complete the study modules by midnight on Thursday, June 13 (one week prior to the workshop) in order to be eligible to receive the $600 stipend.
Birth Doula Skills Online Workshop (on Zoom)
Michigan Birth Doula Training Class Manual. Your Class Manual contains 171 pages of information on all aspects of birth doula work.
Pain Medication Preference Scale. Prior to the workshop, please use the scale to rate your own preferences as though you yourself were expecting a baby soon.
Models of Childbirth. Prior to the workshop, read through the descriptions of the Medical Model versus the Midwifery Model and decide where you fall on the continuum between the two.
PowerPoint Slides. These are the slides that will be used throughout our weekend workshop. I am including them so you can refer back to them later, if desired.
You are encouraged to download and study these additional course materials. If you need even more, you can start on the (optional) certification reading requirements below.
NOTE:
You will need to have all these materials (except the PowerPoint slides) accessible during the workshop. It is your choice whether to print the materials and put them in a binder OR to simply have tabs open on your computer that you can reference.
Stipends
Michigan's Doula Registry
The whole purpose and intent of this scholarship program is to increase the number of birth doulas in the U.P. represented on the state's Doula Registry. Once registered, you can begin to bill for reimbursement for services provided to Medicaid-eligible families in your community. We will provide more information about the Registry later. This course fulfills the doula training requirement. There are additional requirements explained on the website.
Learn more about the State of Michigan Doula Initiative Registry.
Birth Doula Certification (Optional)
You are not required to become certified as part of the scholarship program. Certification is recommended for doulas, but it is optional.
You will need to purchase the Birth Doula Cross Certification ($100 one-time fee). You will be given access to the certification exam online within 24 hours of purchase. You can undertake the certification at any time after completing training.
Lifespan Doulas' certification is a lifetime certification with no ongoing requirements or fees.
The certification exam questions are in a multiple choice and True/False format. The exam is not timed, meaning you can start and stop as you please and you can take it as many times as you need to achieve a passing grade of 85%.
In case you want to get started with the additional reading requirements for certification, we are listing them here. There is no need to buy the books new. Many can be found in your local library or through inter-library loan. You can also search online for used books for the best prices.
A Final Word
Please keep in mind that many eligible people have been turned away for these scholarships. If you do not complete the program, you are taking away an opportunity from someone else. In addition, you are reducing the trainer's income (yours truly) because I don't get paid if you don't show up, thereby compounding the harm.
Please show consideration by giving me as much advance notice as possible if you have a conflict or emergency that prevents you from attending the workshop or completing the requirements. We have a Wait List and can open up your spot.
— Patty
Thank you!
