Certification         

Why become certified by us?

With the initials BLFA or BLD after you name, you show that you have been through a rigorous, intense course of training and preparation to help families who are newly bereaved or who have other baby loss needs.

Our program includes an intensive, gold standard, in-person-training component. While this means more time and some travel, it also means we take our students to a high level of competence and confidence that includes practice and critique. Just ask our students how prepared they feel after attending our course, reading the 30+ books and booklets along with the rest of the certification requirements.  There is no better program. 

We screen our applicants, require references, and expect active involvement in their learning. 

Parents who have a loss deserve the best care and support possible. We take that seriously, providing the highest standards and expecting the best from each student.

Once you are certified, you may all yourself any title you prefer, since you are an independent care provider. Some call themselves Care Companions, others Loss Doulas  (though they are not necessarily Doulas), some Mentors and some Family Loss Advisors™  You may also choose how you give service to others whether as a hospital/clinic subcontractor, volunteer, through Hospice or own your own business. Some our our independent caregivers connect up with Doulas to provide the loss care. 
​
"I found the prework of watching the videos prior to attending the in-person training greatly enriched the experience and helped me increase my learning (prior to  and during the 2 day training)."  Ruth Sherman, BLFA student
    What are the steps?

  • Send an email  with your contact info to [email protected] asking to  be put on the list of candidates.
  • Look over the Certification Road Map​  for the details of what to do prior to training, related to training, and post training.  Make sure you are ready to begin learning and growing.  And recognize that this is not meant to be quick or easy...after all you deserve the BEST and so do the parents/families you care for!
  • Order the Certification Packet as soon as you can so you can start learning and preparing no matter when the next training is scheduled for. .  It is $100 and is found in the STORE on this website.  There are well-chosen readings and 8.5 hours of class videos to watch prior to training, which provide the basis for the training and certification process. The sooner you do this pre-work, the better. Once ordered, you will receive all the necessary paperwork and can begin your preparation of reading, viewing and responding in writing.   You will be amazed at how much this pre-work will teach and inspire you.  
  • Select a training to sign up for or talk with us about helping to set one up in your community.  Email us if you want to hold a training in your area or just want to check in on upcoming options. 
  • Work on filling out the application and begin getting references. This does not need to be DONE prior to training, but in order to be certified, this is imperative.
  • Read and respond to 3 books--  Empty Arms, (by Sherokee Ilse,)  and Companioning After a Perinatal Loss (Eustis and Jenkins) prior to training if a birth professional.  All others need to ALSO do a deep review of the book The Birth Partner  (Simpkins)
  •  Watch 4.5  (of the 10) Training Modules (#1,2,3,4 and 7 videos), a few short videos such as the Cuddle Cot and pre-read a few of the handouts from the Manual. All this is covered in your Reading/Viewing Response Packet 1 which you will receive after you have registered.
  • Sign up for the in- Training (where you will have the other 4.5 of the 10 Modules)
  • Two Pre-training classes via phone/computer are required to help prepare you for the training (exceptions can be made with proof that you have done the work on your own prior to the pre-training classes).  The above materials (books, handouts, and 8 hours of web-based) will be reviewed and discussed. They also connect students prior to class and help keep students on track to get the pre-work done.  An alternative is offered for those who absolutely can't make one or both of these calls.  
  • Attend the Training and do the two short survey monkey exercises.
  • Use the Certification Roadmap for the next  steps after the training  which include: 
          Further reading and responses
          Practical experience
          and more...

*To improve your chances of being certified, it is wise to fill out the application and secure letters of reference as soon as possible.  Just because you attend the classes and do the pre-training does not mean you will be 'ready' to serve others. It is our intention to do our best to certify those who seem ready and able to reach out to help others in need. There are times when candidates have been asked to do more work and/or wait until they are in a better place.

What  Certifications are offered?
1. Baby Loss Family Advisor™ for well-healed parents and family members, and Birth Professionals, counselors ,and others who care for bereaved familes.  The  Loss Doula®  certification is specifically for Doulas who wish to be certified in the area of loss.  
2. Postpartum Loss Family Advisor™/Loss Doula®      Completetd and ready to accept students (online or in person)
3. Rainbow Baby Advisor™r/Rainbow Doula®     Completed and ready to accept students (online or in person)

We are open to other certifications. If you have an idea and/or a passion to create another related certification, we invite you to contact us. 
 of Pittsburth  Where and when are the courses?

Upcoming Courses for 
Baby Loss Family Advisor™/Loss Doula®  
2022 Courses

Tucson - 
--May or June 2023 TBA.   Send us an email to get on the list to be alerted when the date has been confirmed. [email protected]
--Holiday Inn, Oro Valley.  
Pittsburgh
--April 20-23, 2023
Sponsored by Bereavement Doulas

 OR help us plan one in your community...
In discussion - Northern CA, Cincinnati, Winnipeg, Vancouver,  Nashville, Texas TBA, and Phoenix/Tucson, New Jersey
Your organization can be a sponsor for these courses or help us organize one in your community.

Workshop Fee + Manual + Certification Materials:
 $450  
Workshop Fee + Manual + All Cert. Materials + 16 Library/Required Books/booklets/eZines
​$600 (US)
OR
Audit the course only (Excludes manual and Certification materials.  You will be able to borrow a manual for the training. Is only available in certain locations.  Ask for more information if you are interested.)
$350  
Add $50 for 17.9 CEU contact hours
​
Membership of $50 is not included in any of the above options. ​

​Library/required reading books can be ordered from www.BabiesRemembered.org

Training Programs in the works:
 
  Tucson, AZ
   Pittsburgh, PA (March 4-6, 2022)


Visit our STORE to sign up before the classes are full.
 ​