Join Us at the Table: Allo’s Invitation to Colorado’s Birth Community

An open letter to the Birth Community of Colorado:

Allo Doula Academy would like to extend an invitation to discuss our mission, values and purpose with anyone interested in knowing more about our organization. Allo’s mission is to provide education, support, professional development, and growth opportunities to the doula community, elevating the work to a widely recognized and valued profession. We aim to bridge gaps in care (between providers, birthers, families, etc.), gain a seat at the table, and train doulas to navigate the complexities of individualized care in the health care system.

We value lifelong learning and professional development and seek to offer a variety of training, workshops, classes, and experiences to help doulas and other related professionals develop their craft. We equip doulas with everything they need on a professional and individual level to deliver exceptional full-spectrum care and foster ongoing community to families they work with. We exist as one of many options for training and mentorship for the role and profession of doula.

Allo is recognized by the Colorado Department of Education under the Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS), and we undergo yearly audits to maintain our status with DPOS. This DPOS designation and partnerships with other educational entities has provided access for student doulas to utilize Colorado Workforce Funding to pay for their training and clinical experience, helping to reduce barriers and provide a new pathway toward developing a strong doula presence in all Colorado communities.

We have created partnerships with local hospitals and health care providers to allow student doulas to gain clinical experience as they study, helping to prepare for their legitimate and respected role as a health care team member and to provide the best experience possible. It is through these connections and collaborations that health care team members see value in doulas and fully understand the critical role doulas play. Our training curriculum includes how best to communicate with health care members, conflict resolution skills, advocacy and meeting the minimum level of knowledge that health care providers expect from doulas.

Allo has always been and will continue to be supportive of community doulas, philanthropy-based and grassroots approaches, and their important place in this industry. Our team’s greatest source of pride are the hundreds of graduates who have gone on to serve the community in countless ways, from quiet, one-on-one family encounters to developing community doula co-ops, full-scale maternity support centers, and speaking to large medical university populations about the need for patient-centered care and the critical role of doula work in securing better outcomes.

Allo is committed to providing an exceptional training program for those that wish to be trained in a more academic environment, with skills and scenario-based labs. We recognize that our program is unique in scope and approach and while we might not be a good fit for every individual that chooses the doula profession, we value that right of individuals to determine their own best path forward.

Allo also recognizes the importance of having a standard and defined regulation in the doula profession and follows the scope and professional practice set forth by the National Doula Certification Board (NDCB). Allo chose to support and align with the NDCB as their founding “approved training provider” organization.

For more information or to connect with our team, please reach out to us by phone or email. Our full contact information can be found at: allodoulaacademy.org