AEIC Doula Apprenticeship Program

Case Management Track (Cohort-Based)

📍 Dallas/Fort Worth Area + Virtual

Program Type: Apprenticeship / Training Program
Status: Unpaid, Educational Learning Experience (Non-Employment)
Schedule: Flexible, Part-Time
Cohort Entry: Quarterly Enrollment

About AEIC Case Management

AEIC Case Management LLC is a Texas-based agency providing resource navigation, case management, and family-centered support services to children and pregnant women. While AEIC is not a doula agency, we recognize the importance of developing a well-prepared maternal health workforce—particularly for individuals seeking future eligibility for Medicaid Children & Pregnant Women (CPW) Doula services.

To support workforce development, AEIC offers a Doula Apprenticeship Program – Case Management Track, designed for individuals who do not yet meet HHSC/Medicaid doula requirements but are seeking structured, supervised exposure to maternal support within a case management-led environment.

This program emphasizes professional readiness, boundaries, documentation, and resource-based care, with optional access to external doula mentors for birth-related learning.

⚠️ Important Program Structure Notice

• This apprenticeship is not employment
  
  
• This program does not provide independent doula practice
  
  
• Apprentices do not provide billable or clinical services
  
  
• Participation does not guarantee future employment or contracting
  
  
• All learning occurs under supervision and within defined training boundaries
  
  

AEIC operates this program using a quarterly cohort model to ensure consistent training, supervision, and compliance.

Program Purpose

The Doula Apprenticeship (Case Management Track) exists to prepare aspiring doulas and maternal health professionals to:

• Understand how case management and doula services intersect
  
  
• Develop non-clinical maternal support skills
  
  
• Learn how Medicaid-aligned programs operate
  
  
• Build professional readiness for future doula certification, CPW eligibility, or maternal health roles
  
  

This is a learning-centered pathway, not a clinical or independent doula role.

Program Overview

Apprentices in this program will:

• Observe and learn within AEIC’s case management framework
  
  
• Develop foundational doula knowledge and professional boundaries
  
  
• Gain supervised exposure to prenatal and postpartum client needs
  
  
• Learn how families are connected to community and healthcare resources
  
  
• Receive optional birth-specific mentoring through external doula partners (when available)
  
  

Learning Tracks & Competencies

🔹 Case Management Foundations

• Resource navigation and referral coordination
  
  
• Understanding insurance basics (Medicaid/CHIP overview)
  
  
• Documentation fundamentals and professional communication
  
  
• Supporting families with social determinants of health:
  
  
  • Housing
    
    
  • Food access
    
    
  • Transportation
    
    
  • Childcare resources
    
    
• Trauma-informed, culturally responsive interactions
  
  
• Professional boundaries and ethical conduct
  
  

🔹 Doula Foundations (Apprenticeship Scope)

• Structure of prenatal and postpartum visits
  
  
• Non-clinical comfort measures (introductory level)
  
  
• Birth preparation education and client support
  
  
• Postpartum adjustment and family support
  
  
• Understanding when and how to involve a supervising doula
  
  
• Observational learning related to birth support
  
  

⚠️ Birth attendance is optional and only permitted under the supervision and approval of an external doula mentor. Apprentices do not act independently at births.

🔹 Professional Development & Compliance

• HIPAA and confidentiality standards
  
  
• Ethical guidelines in maternal support work
  
  
• Communication within medical and community settings
  
  
• Understanding the role of case managers vs. doulas
  
  
• Preparing for future certification or CPW eligibility
  
  

Apprentice Responsibilities (Training-Based Only)

• Participate in supervised observation of prenatal and postpartum activities
  
  
• Practice documentation and client communication in a non-clinical capacity
  
  
• Shadow AEIC staff during approved case management activities
  
  
• Assist with community resource coordination under supervision
  
  
• Attend cohort check-ins, trainings, and reflection sessions
  
  
• Participate in optional external doula mentoring opportunities (if available)
  
  
• Attend births only as a learner and only with mentor approval
  
  

Ideal Candidates

This program is ideal for individuals who:

• Aspire to become professional doulas
  
  
• Are students or early-career professionals in:
  
  
  • Social work
    
    
  • Community Health Work
    
    
  • Nursing
    
    
  • Public or maternal health
    
    
• Want future eligibility for CPW Doula services
  
  
• Are interested in resource-based maternal care, not only birth work
  
  
• Can commit to learning within a structured, case management-led model
  
  

Program Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older
  
  
• Strong interest in maternal health or doula work
  
  
• Willingness to learn and follow supervision guidelines
  
  
• Ability to maintain professionalism and boundaries
  
  
• Reliable transportation for occasional in-person learning (DFW area)
  
  
• Ability to complete online modules and cohort check-ins
  
  
• No doula certification required to apply
  
  

Program Details

• Length: 8–12 weeks (flexible based on cohort pacing)
  
  
• Format: Hybrid (Virtual learning + limited in-person experiences)
  
  
• Supervision:
  
  
  • AEIC Case Management Staff (case management scope)
    
    
  • External Doula Mentor (birth-specific learning, when available)
    
    

Upon Successful Completion, Apprentices Receive

• AEIC Doula Apprenticeship Certificate
  
  
• Verified documentation of training hours and competencies
  
  
• Experience supporting future:
  
  
  • Doula certification applications
    
    
  • CPW eligibility preparation
    
    
  • Maternal health employment opportunities

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