Choosing our community means partnering with someone who not only understands birth work, but also truly understands military life from the inside out.

Our Founder, Amanda Dodson, is a U.S. Army National Guard Veteran, the spouse of a retired U.S. Marine and has spent more than 26 years navigating the military lifestyle alongside service members and their families. With over 18 years of experience as a doula serving mostly military families herself and giving birth to her children overseas, she brings a unique combination of professional expertise and firsthand knowledge of the challenges military families face, including deployments, frequent relocations, overseas assignments, and navigating military healthcare systems.

We are dedicated to ensuring families receive compassionate, informed support right where they are stationed and that military spouses have careers that can move with them.

SpouseWorks, (formerly MyCAA) is a workforce development program is a financial assistance initiative offered by the U.S. Department of War. It provides funding for military spouses to pursue education, training, and certification in high-demand fields. The goal is to help spouses build careers and achieve economic self-sufficiency, especially considering the challenges of frequent relocations associated with military life. Eligible spouses can receive up to $4,000 for educational expenses over two years.

Military spouses can use the SpouseWorks program to become a doula by following these steps:

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet SpouseWorks eligibility requirements, which generally include being a spouse of an active-duty service member.

2. Choose a Training Program: Research and select an SpouseWorks accredited doula training program. Look for programs that offer certification and are recognized within the doula community. If you are planning to accept Tricare, there are currently 6 approved certifying organizations.

3. Create a SpouseWorks Account: Register on the website and create an account to manage your education and funding.

4. Develop an Education and Training Plan: MDT will create a EPT for you. Then you will work with a career counselor to create a plan that outlines your chosen doula program and how it aligns with your career goals.

5. Apply for Funding: Submit your education plan for approval through your SpouseWorks portal. Once approved, you will now gain access to your course.

6. Complete Training: Complete the doula training program. This may include both online and in-person components.

7. Obtain Certification: After completing your training, you will take the steps to complete the additional requirements for the chosen career path.

8. Build Your Practice: Once you’ve taken your training, start your doula practice, market your services, and connect with expectant families.

• Be at least 18 years of age.

• Attend a CAPPA Labor Doula training class.

• Read selected books from the CAPPA Labor Doula Required Reading List.

• Read the CAPPA Labor Doula Training Manual (received at training).

• Complete all requirements below within 2 years of the training class.

• Start CAPPA Academy and complete the items below.

  • Pass the Scope of Practice Pretest. A 100% passing grade is required.
    Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Birth Booklet.

  • Read and watch the video clips from the Understanding Breastfeeding Booklet.

  • Attend a minimum of 3 labors/births as a doula. You will be required to obtain 3 total evaluations from parents and 6 total evaluations from healthcare providers. Details/forms are provided within CAPPA Academy.

  • Create a Resource List with information on local support for parents. A guide for creating this list is found in CAPPA Academy.

  • Sign and agree to the following:
    Code of Conduct

    • Social Media Policy

    • Grievance Policy

    • CAPPA Mission

    • CAPPA Approach

    • CAPPA Vision

    • Scope of Practice

  • Pass the multiple-choice exam. A passing grade is 85% or higher. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

  • Pass the essay exam. The essay exam is graded on a pass-fail basis. If a student does fail an exam, resubmission fees may apply.

This training fulfills one of the steps for becoming a Certified CAPPA Labor Doula. Additional course work includes

Get Started

• Become a CAPPA Member (included with training registration)

• Complete Pre-Training Coursework

• Attend a CAPPA Training Workshop

Complete Your Coursework

• Sign CAPPA Policies

• Pass Scope of Practice exam

• Pass Open Book Exams

• Complete Required Coursework

Recertification is every 3 years from your certification date

This approved CAPPA Labor Doula Course is taught by Amanda Dodson, CLD, CAPPA Labor Doula Trainer. More information here. Learn more about CAPPA and certification.

This is a brief overview of our policies. You may learn more HERE.

• Training fee: $1,200 per participant unless otherwise stated, in accordance with CAPPA policies.

• Payment: Full payment or an approved ETP/payment plan is required to secure enrollment and course access.

• Enrollment: Confirmed once payment is processed or an ETP is approved and funding documentation is received.

• No refunds: All payments are non-refundable, including for scheduling conflicts, personal circumstances, no-shows, or incomplete attendance.

• Transfers: Participants may request one transfer to a future training if:

  • The request is submitted in writing before the original training begins.

  • The transfer is used within 12 months of the original training date.

  • Space is available in a future session.

• Attendance: Full attendance is required to receive a certificate of completion.

• Missed sessions: Make-up options may be available with instructor/Director approval and may involve additional fees. Policies vary by course.

• No notice/no-show: Failure to attend without prior notice may result in losing the transfer option.