TRAINING

Community-Based Doula Training

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training

Meet The Trainers

Detroit Community-Based Doula Training Program

Empowering Detroit Birth Workers to Transform Maternal Health!

Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) proudly offers a Community-Based Doula Training Program, a nationally accredited program through HealthConnect One. The program is designed to train, equip, and support Black birth workers serving families across communities. Since its first cohort in 2014, this program has helped strengthen maternal care by preparing compassionate, community-rooted doulas who provide emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth.

The training is recognized as a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)-approved qualified doula training program. Graduates are eligible to enroll as Medicaid doula providers and can serve Medicaid-eligible pregnant and postpartum people.

What is a Community-Based Doula?

A Community-Based Doula is a trained community birth worker who provides culturally appropriate and kindred-spirited, non-clinical, emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth.

About the Program

BMBFA’s Community-Based Doula Training program focuses on reducing racial inequities in birth and breastfeeding outcomes by fostering local leaders who embody empathy, cultural understanding, and advocacy. Trainees receive comprehensive education through the HealthConnect One Training Curriculum, gaining real-world experience through births, home visits, and community engagement.

    • Cost: Free (no tuition)

    • Duration: 20 weeks; ½ day per week

    • BMBFA Doula training hosts 2 cohorts of trainees annually, starting in the Fall

  • Participants will:

    •  Participate in 3 births and 12 home visits

    • Attend 2 Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Club or B.L.I.S.S. meetings

    • Complete the Perinatal Mental Health Workshop with Harambee Care

    • Attend at least 85% of training sessions (up to 3 absences allowed)

    • Provide 2 community references

    • Reside in or near Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck (priority area)

    • Has reliable transportation, holds a valid driver's license and current auto insurance/registration.

    • Has good relationship skills relating to persons of diverse cultural backgrounds.

    • Is a trusted member of the community.

    • Must own a fully operable cell phone

    • Must be flexible and able to attend births

    • Build meaningful, trusting relationships with local families

    • Help improve birth outcomes and breastfeeding rates

    • Connect families with essential community resources

    • Empower birthing persons to advocate for themselves

    • Strengthen Detroit’s maternal health ecosystem

Questions?

MacKenzie Currie
Program Coordinator

Email: mackenziec@bmbfa.org
Phone: 1 (800) 313-6141 ext.7