Become a Doula with The Village Doula Collective
Becoming a doula with The Village Doula Collective means starting your own journey as a birth worker, offering compassionate care within your own community, and advocating for equitable, culturally competent support for all families.
At The Village Doula Collective, our goal is to create a mutually beneficial network for doulas in Butte and surrounding counties. We want to build a supportive environment where all doulas—whether you’re just starting or are an experienced practitioner—can thrive together. Our collective works not just for us, but for the local community, offering healthcare centers and families a consistent and reliable source of doula support.
Why Join the Collective?
Referrals & Client Matching – Get connected with potential clients through our website, partnerships, and inquiries.
Business & Administrative Support – Gain access to client management software, marketing efforts, and an established online presence.
Community Connections – The collective collaborates with The Director of the Mother & Baby Center and Pediatrics at Enloe Hospital to bridge the gap between doulas and medical professionals.
Doula Village Meetings – A monthly space to debrief birth experiences, discuss challenges, and share knowledge.
Meet the Doulas Events – Opportunities to introduce yourself to potential clients in a warm, low-pressure setting.
Mentorship & Growth – Experienced doulas can take on mentorship roles and be compensated for guiding new doulas.
Referral Earnings – When you refer a client to another doula in the collective, you earn a portion of their service fee, creating passive income.
How Membership Works
All members contribute a flat monthly fee to help cover the collective’s overhead costs. This small fee supports essential resources like marketing, client management software, website maintenance, and partnerships with local healthcare providers. By sharing these costs, we ensure that every doula in the collective has access to the tools and support needed to grow their business and serve more families.
This small contribution helps maintain shared resources like marketing, client referrals, and client management software—allowing every member to benefit from a strong, connected, and well-supported doula community.
All membership fees-A fair and sustainable referral model:
7% Referral Fee When Receiving a Client Through the Collective – If a client is referred to you from a doula in the collective, 7% of your earnings from that client go to the referring doula, this is also the case for back-up doula services.
No Fees on Clients You Source Yourself – If you find your own clients, you keep 100% of your earnings.
Apprentice & Volunteer Membership (Free for Six Months)
For new or aspiring doulas who are shadowing, training, or providing services on a volunteer basis. This allows you to connect with the birth work community and learn from experienced doulas before taking on paid clients.
What’s included: Community access, networking, mentorship opportunities, and Doula Village Meetings.
What’s not included: Client referrals, business support, branded materials/gear, or marketing.
After six months, you can transition into full membership to continue receiving support.
Be Part of Something Bigger
By joining the Village Doula Collective, you gain the support, structure, and community needed to grow your business without doing it alone. Together, we can make sure every family who wants a doula can find one, and that every doula who wants to work has the opportunity to thrive.
I would love to have you as part of this growing collective. If this sounds like the right fit for you, let’s connect.
How to Become a Doula with The Village Doula Collective
Certification & Training Pathway
For New/Uncertified Doulas Just Getting Started In Birthwork
Course enrollment begins August, 2025
Create an account to be notified of early enrollment opportunities.
Step 1: Enroll in Our Online Doula Certification Program
Our online, self-paced training follows national standards while providing a culturally competent framework for supporting birthing people. Unlike traditional in-person workshops, our program allows you to work through materials at your own pace, making it accessible for those with busy schedules or other commitments.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to see a course overview.
Step 2: Gain Hands-On Experience Through Mentorship
We offer three mentorship opportunities per year for students who have completed the core training and need birth attendance experience. These mentorships allow students to shadow experienced doulas (including founder Sydney Pepper-Law) and gain valuable insight into client interactions, advocacy, and hands-on support.
Step 3: Meet Medi-Cal Acceptance Requirements
Ideally, all doulas in the collective will be able to accept Medi-Cal insurance to support our mission of providing accessible care within our community. The requirements for credentialing are outlined in the course, with an additional short training available to guide doulas through the process. Students will also have access to mentorship and support from experienced doulas in the collective as they navigate the application process. If you are opposed to contacting insurance, let us know why.
Step 4: Officially Joining The Collective
Doulas who complete the course will receive additional training upon officially becoming members of the collective. All doulas in the collective operate independently and must review and sign a membership contract and liability waiver before being included in business endeavors associated with The Village Doula Collective, LLC.
Course enrollment begins August 2025
Create an account to be notified of early enrollment opportunities.
Certified Doula Pathway
For Experienced & Established Doulas
If you are a certified doula you can apply for membership to The Village Doula Collective. Priority is given to doulas who meet Medi-Cal provider requirements.
Step 1: Submit Your Inquiry Form
To begin your journey with us, complete the online inquiry form. In your application, you’ll need to:
Provide proof of doula certification from a recognized organization (such as DONA, CAPPA, or another reputable certifying organization).
Submit documentation verifying your Medi-Cal acceptance eligibility if applicable (or indicate if you need assistance with this step).
Step 2: Interview & Screening
Once we receive your application, we’ll schedule a virtual meeting to learn more about you and your doula practice. During the interview, we’ll:
Discuss your experience, values, and approach to birth work.
Share how the collective operates, and explain the benefits and expectations for both independent and collective members.
Talk through any questions you may have and ensure alignment between your goals and the collective’s vision.
Step 3: Contract & Membership Overview Meeting
If the it is a good fit, we’ll move forward with the next steps:
Review and sign the membership agreement and liability waiver.
Discuss our referral fee structure and membership pricing models, ensuring you understand the options available.
Gain access to collective resources, such as mentorship opportunities, community networking, and ongoing training to help you grow as a doula.
Step 4: Begin Taking Clients
Once your membership is confirmed, you’ll officially be part of The Village Doula Collective!
You’ll be listed as an official doula in the collective and receive referrals based on availability and fit.
Collaborate with other doulas, take part in monthly meetings, and build your professional network.
Access valuable business development resources, continuing education, and support to elevate your practice.
Ready to Apply?
Fill out the “Certified Doula Inquiry” below
Certified Doula Inquiry
Doula Certification Course
Course Overview: Is This Doula Certification Right for You?
Are you passionate about supporting birthing people and their families? The Village Doula Collective Certification Course is designed for individuals committed to providing inclusive, evidence-based, and compassionate care. This course offers a comprehensive, culturally competent, and real-world approach to doula work, ensuring you are well-prepared to serve diverse communities.
What You’ll Learn:
The role of a doula and how to support clients through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Hands-on comfort measures and pain management techniques.
Advocacy, professionalism, and effective communication in birth spaces.
Supporting diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ families, people with disabilities, and trauma survivors.
Navigating implicit bias, medical racism, and birth inequality.
C-section and VBAC support, including recovery and advocacy.
Ethical considerations and business fundamentals for doulas.
Course Structure:
Self-paced learning with real-time grading (feedback within 48 business hours).
Engaging video lessons, assignments, and hands-on activities.
Community-based exercises to help you gain real-world experience.
Certification upon completion, with next steps for attending births and finalizing your training.
Who Should Enroll?
Aspiring doulas looking for an in-depth, accessible, and inclusive training.
Birth workers wanting to deepen their knowledge and advocacy skills.
Anyone committed to equitable and community-focused birth support.
Start your journey today and become a certified doula ready to make a real impact.
Enrollment in this purchase grants you access to the Doula Certification Course. Certification is awarded upon course completion and attestation that you have supported at least 3 births (with at least one birth occurring after completing the course).