Ancient Song 12-Week Full-Spectrum Doula Training
Ancient Song’s 12-Week Full-Spectrum Doula Training is a rigorous, cohort-based program designed to prepare participants to provide culturally grounded, community-centered, and justice-informed doula care across the full reproductive continuum.
This training centers birth justice, reproductive justice, and community accountability, while equipping participants with the practical skills, knowledge, and ethical foundation needed to support pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people in diverse settings.
Program Structure & Schedule
Length: 12 weeks
Total Instructional Time: 60+ hours
Cohort Model: Closed cohort learning community
Cohort Size: Maximum of 35 participants
Annual Offerings: Three cohorts per year
Weekly Schedule
Tuesdays (In Person): 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursdays (Live Virtual): 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
In addition to weekly sessions, the cohort will participate in:
Four (4) In-Person Saturday Intensives
5 hours each
Focused on hands-on skill-building, simulations, and applied learning
Location & Amenities
In-person sessions take place at Ancient Song’s Brooklyn location
Snacks and dinner are provided during in-person evening sessions and Saturday intensives
What You Will Learn
Participants receive comprehensive instruction in:
Anatomy & physiology of pregnancy and birth
Stages of labor and comfort measures
Labor support skills and effective communication
Postpartum care, lactation, and newborn support
Ethics, scope of practice, and professional boundaries
Birth justice, reproductive justice, and medical racism
Advocacy, informed consent, and client-centered care
Community-based doula practice and systems navigation
Instruction includes discussion, skills practice, role-plays, reflection, and applied learning grounded in real-world scenarios.
Medicaid Doula Provider Preparation
This training prepares participants to enroll as Medicaid doula providers in New York State by covering the core competencies, documentation standards, and professional requirements aligned with the NYS Medicaid doula benefit.
Participants will receive guidance on:
Understanding Medicaid’s role in maternal health access
Required training components and scope of practice
Documentation and professionalism expectations
Navigating the Medicaid enrollment process in New York State
In addition, Ancient Song’s training is recognized and accepted by multiple states with Medicaid doula benefits and may be used to support Medicaid reimbursement eligibility outside of New York, subject to each state’s specific requirements.
Participants are responsible for completing any additional state-specific steps required for enrollment or reimbursement.
Cohort Experience & Expectations
This is a participatory, relationship-based training. Participants are expected to:
Attend all scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday sessions
Arrive on time and prepared
Engage respectfully with peers and facilitators
Complete required assignments and reflections
Communicate proactively with staff
Because cohort size is limited, consistent participation is essential to maintaining a strong learning environment.
Tuition & Financial Expectations
Standard Tuition: $1,600
Sliding-scale seats and payment plans are available on a limited basis
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure enrollment
All payment plans must be completed before the final month of training
Clear financial expectations support program sustainability and equitable access.
Certification & Completion
Participants are eligible to receive a certificate of completion upon:
Full payment of tuition
Meeting attendance requirements
Completion of required assignments
Certificates verify participation in Ancient Song’s full-spectrum doula training and may be used toward Medicaid enrollment, certification pathways, employment, or professional development, depending on state and organizational requirements.
Who This Training Is For
This training is ideal for:
Aspiring doulas
Community health workers
Birth workers expanding their scope
Individuals seeking to provide Medicaid-reimbursable doula care
Advocates committed to birth and reproductive justice
No prior doula experience is required.
Why Train with Ancient Song
Ancient Song is a nationally recognized birth justice organization with deep roots in community-based care, policy advocacy, and workforce development. Our training reflects decades of experience supporting families, training doulas, and advancing equity in maternal health.
By enrolling, participants are investing in their own growth while contributing to the sustainability of community-based doula care.
Cohort 2: Spring–Summer 2026
Enrollment Opens: March 1, 2026
Deposit Due: May 10, 2026
Training Dates
Start Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
End Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Duration: 12 weeks
Weekly Schedule
Tuesdays (In Person, Brooklyn): 6:30–9:00 PM
Thursdays (Live Virtual): 6:30–9:00 PM
Saturday Intensives (In Person – 5 hours)
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Payment Plans End: June 30, 2026