Registration Now Open for Childbirth Support Specialist Doula Training
Registration is now open for the Childbirth Support Specialists Birth and Postpartum Doula workshop scheduled for May 16 and 17 at Brookings Health System.
Class instruction will be held in Brookings Hospital’s conference room A from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The workshop will provide hands-on education for providing physical and emotional support to birthing women and their families. It is worth 16 continuing education credits (CEUs) and is one step in meeting the requirements for becoming a doula at Brookings Health System.
The workshop is recommended for those wishing to become a doula, current doulas, nurses, nursing students, lactation counselors, childbirth educators and other health care professionals. No prerequisites are required. It will be led by Victoria Wakeman of Childbirth Support Specialists who is a Childbirth Professionals International preferred doula trainer, dual certified birth and postpartum doula, certified doula trainer, childbirth educator, certified peer lactation counselor, and Brookings Health System’s doula program coordinator. Attendees have the option to become a certified birth doula and postpartum doula through Childbirth Professionals International.
The curriculum has also been approved by the South Dakota Department of Social Services for individuals wishing to enroll as a Medicaid doula provider in South Dakota. Medicaid doula coverage in South Dakota officially launched Jan. 1, 2025. The program allows any pregnant Medicaid patient covered doula services during labor and delivery as well as during prenatal care and postpartum care up to one year.
Class fees are $875 and include workshop materials and certification upon completion. Attendees may save $80 and pay $795 by submitting early-bird registration by April 30. Payment plans are available. Registration includes certification, membership and paperless documentation. Separate training to become a certified breastfeeding specialist can be added but is not required. People interested in this workshop may register by visiting childbirthsupportspecialists.com/registration.
Questions may be directed to Wakeman at (605) 691-9319 or babysmart@brookings.net. More information on Brookings Health System’s doula program may be found at brookingshealth.org/doula.