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Become a
Birth Worker
A LITTLE ABOUT DOULAS...
​​What Does a Full Spectrum Doula Do?
"A full spectrum doula is a non-medically trained community care worker who offers support to people during the full spectrum of pregnancy – from preconception, to birth, to abortion, to miscarriage, to adoption, to postpartum.
Full spectrum birth workers actively practice being open and aware of the diverse reproductive needs and experiences people have, in light of their identity, background, preferences, lived experiences, and so on.
While this doesn’t mean full spectrum doulas will say “yes” to every client, it does mean that they prioritize being accessible, inclusive, and culturally appropriate. When (not if) there’s a client that is not a good fit or the doula doesn’t have the capacity or skills to serve the client, they do their best to make an appropriate and vetted referral.
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The history of full-spectrum doula work precedes the more mainstream use of the term, as midwives, activists, and other community care workers have served in this role for friends, family, and folks in their community across history and across cultures. One of our favorite books "Revolutionary Mothering" honors this lineage."
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Kinkeeping as a Doula
Birth is more than just a medical event. It's a physiological event that also can incorporate ancestral and cultural practices.
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As our culture is constantly exploited and appropriated around the world, and our identity constantly erased, Black Americans have faced an ethnocide for centuries. And yet, our Black birth workers... Grand Midwives, current midwives, doulas and birth workers in every aspect of the work hold our ancestral and cultural practices in reproductive and birth work.
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Many birth workers find that they are the kinkeepers in their families and community. Often taking on the invisible labor to strengthen intergenerational relationships, maintain family cohesion, assist family communication, and protect emotional health. Regardless of age, kinkeepers hold our families and community together.
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Attend A Training
Community Outreach Perinatal Educator (COPE) Training
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The purpose of the Community Outreach Perinatal Education (COPE) program is to improve and promote healthier outcomes for women and babies, and to reduce disparities in maternal child health by implementing the The JJ Way® model of perinatal care. The COPE program uses a culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed curriculum that includes comprehensive training for community-based Doula, Childbirth Education and Breastfeeding Education for peer supporters, community health workers, para- professionals and home visitors. Participants that complete the program become Certified Perinatal Educators (CPE).
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This 48 hour comprehensive training provides paraprofessionals, peer outreach workers, promotoras, family support workers, home visitors and ‘resource mothers’ with basic perinatal skills encompassing doula, childbirth education and lactation education. On completion of this series the participant is certified and able to deliver and/or host childbirth and lactation education in the home and community setting, plus hospital based doula services, and postpartum care services with wrap around support.
This course will be offered through a combination of live, interactive virtual class time and on demand online resources and assignments.
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Course Outline
Module 1: Welcome & Introduction
Module 2: Foundations
Module 3: The Childbearing Years and Prenatal Care
Module 4: Labor and Delivery
Module 5: Communication, Education and Advocacy
Module 6: Postpartum and Newborn Care
Module 7: Lactation: Anatomy & Physiology
Module 8: Supporting the Lactating Person
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APPLICATION + REQUIREMENTS​
This is a scholarship opportunity. We have 5 spots available each cohort. Here are the benefits and requirements for enrolling in the program:
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Benefits:
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Receive a scholarship that covers the cost of COPE training
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Mentorship and Case Study Sessions
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Practice Development and Sustainability Support​
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Referral + Doula Matching Support
Requirements:
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Must be able to attend all in-person sessions.
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Must contract with BLKBRY for 1 year to receive practice development and sustainability support, learn how to develop curriculum, and teach one class/session per quarter.
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Must participate and be willing to work in community-based projects to develop our next steps with the program. Honestly, we love feedback and input on how to improve.
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And, must identify as Black.
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Finalists
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Applicants will be contacted by September 15, 2025 to schedule interviews.
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Finalists will be interviewed by BLKBRY leadership and Trusted Community Partners.
If you have any questions, please contact our Kinship + Care Cultivator, Taylor Huntley at taylor@blkbry.com.