MPDI Doula Application

We encourage all interested, trained and/or certified doulas to apply! All doulas working within our program will be expected to follow to DONA International's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

MPDI takes client privacy and confidentiality extremely seriously, and it prohibits outside contact with our clients’ family members and other services. Doulas must adhere to the policy directives established by the correctional facility unless otherwise specified by prison directors or staff. They must also undergo sensitivity training conducted by MPDI.

Our only obligation is to provide pregnancy support, childbirth education, and doula services to the women inside. We do not connect with the families of pregnant prisoners, provide information about the status of their delivery, or release any information about our clients.

A few other items that interested doulas might consider about working with MPDI:

Do they have comfort and confidence in hospital settings? MPDI’s clients give birth in a hospital, and so comfort with the processes, roles, and structures of hospitals is useful.

Do they have previous experience in the role of support? For established doulas, this could come from birth doula support of several clients with varying birth experiences. But, MPDI recognizes the value of support in all kinds of professional roles and takes into account potential doulas’ other life experiences as support people.
Have they completed training with an individual or organization that trains, certifies, or provides apprenticeship for birth doulas?
Will they have the ability to maintain up-to-date professional doula liability insurance?
Will they have the ability to pass a comprehensive Michigan Department of Corrections background check? (This is required by MDOC for doulas to provide client support.)
Are they able to attend meetings in a prison setting? Doula/client prenatal and postpartum visits take place on-site at the women’s prison in the Ypsilanti area.
Are they knowledgeable in the process of human lactation? Clients make a range of decisions regarding how they feed their babies, and thus knowledge of lactation (whether a client decides to breastfeed or not) is an important doula skill set.

If you have any questions, please email contact@mpdi.org.

MPDI is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Please submit an application via our form below and a representative from MPDI will be in contact with you.

Doula Interests

Name

First Name

Last Name

Preferred Pronouns:

Email Address

Phone

Website

http://

Tell us a little about yourself!

Doula Experience

Please describe past affiliations, training, certifications, and length of doula practice.

Number of Births Attended

Are you acquainted with an MPDI Board member?

If yes, please write their name below. If no, please write 'n/a'.

Are you DONA Certified?

If you are not DONA certified, please note certification, education, affiliation, training, or other details:

Do you work for a doula entity?

Please describe

Do you carry insurance for your Doula practice?

Have you personally been affected by incarceration?

Are you affiliated with other prison-related organizations?

Please explain why you are interested in working with Michigan Prison Doula Initiative:

Please describe any current commitment that may interfere with attending a client's prenatal, birth, or postpartum visit, as well as the way you are able to manage these conflicting obligations.

This is very important to us. it is critical that you are able to attend all scheduled prenatal and postpartum visits at Women's Huron Valley, as well as your client's birth.

1. Reference: Name

Please indicate the name and preferred pronouns of your first reference.

First Name

Last Name

Email of first professional reference.

Phone

Phone number of first professional reference.

Affiliation

Please describe the nature of your affiliation to your first reference.

2. Reference: Name

Please indicate the name and preferred pronouns of your second reference.

First Name

Last Name

Email of second professional reference.

Phone

Phone number of second professional reference.

Affiliation

Please describe the nature of your affiliation with your second reference.

3. Client Reference: Name

Please indicate the name and preferred pronouns of a previous doula client.

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Doula client reference phone number.

Email of doula client reference.

Date and brief description of client's birth:

Please do not disclose information without obtaining the consent of your previous client.

May we contact the references you have provided?

Yes

As an MPDI doula, I understand that I must attend every visit and birth with my client(s) with VERY minimal exceptions to enlist a backup doula.

A backup doula can only be contacted under extreme and rare circumstances. Commitment to the pregnant prisoner's prenatal visits, birth, and postpartum visits must be first priority.

I Agree.