About Equity in Birth doula training program
Our Goals
Our program is driven by a powerful vision: to increase the number of trained Doulas from underserved communities, ensuring compassionate, culturally anchored care for those who need it most.
We train Doulas from all backgrounds to ensure that those providing care reflect the lived experiences of the birthing people they support.
Our goal is to uphold the highest standards of care while actively promoting health equity and working to dismantle systemic barriers that contribute to disparities in perinatal outcomes.
We Empower
Our training is more than a checklist of requirements—it’s a transformative experience. We aim to ensure that every participant leaves feeling:
- Confident in their skills to provide meaningful, culturally responsive doula support
- Empowered to advocate for birthing people in their communities
- Prepared to navigate real-world challenges with compassion, professionalism, and resilience
Meeting Medi-Cal Standards
Our program not only prepares you to meet Medi-Cal’s requirements for insurance enrollment—it also provides hands-on support throughout the entire enrollment process.
Why Choose or Program
We understand the unique challenges faced by parents, caregivers, and working individuals. That’s why our training is:
- Flexible – Combines in-person, virtual, and self-paced learning
- Affordable – Transparent pricing with support for essential certifications
- Accessible – Designed to meet you where you are, with mentorship and guidance throughout
Program Overview
Total Training Hours: 32
- Core Curriculum (16 hours)
Covers all Medi-Cal-required topics, including lactation support, childbirth education, foundations of anatomy in pregnancy and childbirth, prenatal support, labor support techniques, nonmedical comfort measures and developing a community resource list.
- Supplemental Training (16 hours)
Focuses on inclusive care practices, including:- Perinatal substance use disorders
- Cultural humility
- Motivational interviewing
- Harm reduction strategies
- Postpartum support
- Abortion support
Training Schedule
In-Person Training
- Two full-day weekend sessions (16 hours total)
Virtual Training
- 5 hours of live Zoom instruction
Self-Paced Learning
- MTAC video modules on:
- Culturally Responsive Crisis Care
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Harm Reduction
- Motivational Interviewing
Certification Requirements
To earn your certificate and qualify for Medi-Cal enrollment, you must:
- Attend all in-person and Zoom sessions
- Complete all MTAC modules and submit reflections
- Complete CPR/BLS and HIPAA certification
- Participants must review assigned reading materials and demonstrate the ability to find and apply relevant information independently.
Securing a business license & liability insurance are required for insurance enrollment but not to receive your doula training certificate.
While we strive to ensure all required topics are covered, participants must also attend three births to meet insurance enrollment criteria.
We offer guidance and support in finding birth opportunities, but do not provide clients directly.
Additional Support
We offer guided assistance with:
- Client consultations and prenatal/postpartum visits
- Attending three births (Medi-Cal requirement)
- Optional workshops on:
- Community outreach
- Credentialing and Medi-Cal enrollment
- Business setup and insurance
Ask about our paid mentorship opportunities.
Your success is My Goal
Payment Options
To make doula training more accessible, Equity in Birth offers a flexible payment structure.
Training fees are divided by the Medi-Cal/Partnership HealthPlan enrollment requirement sections, allowing participants to pay for each module individually and spread out the cost over time.
✅ All seven core training sections must be completed to receive a Doula Certification Certificate from Equity in Birth.
✅ This certificate can be submitted as part of your application to enroll with Medi-Cal and Partnership HealthPlan.
💡 Need help covering training costs?
If you're enrolled in CalWORKs or the Department of Rehabilitation, you may be eligible to have your training funded. Reach out to us directly for guidance and support in navigating these options.