Frontline Doulas - Centering the Community
This is a Living Document
Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
The “FrontLine Doulas - Centering the Community Program” addresses the current crisis of African American perinatal and infant health disparities by providing collaborative evidence-based doula care to black birthing families who need it most.
What is a “FrontLine Doula”:
An uplifting generation of community doulas on the frontline of birth in the black community co-creating and reclaiming family-centered narratives for generations to come.
The FrontLine Doulas - Centering the Community Program is determined to improve the well-being of individuals and communities, by supporting diverse communities and increasing cultural competence and humility among providers who serve them.
It is with the best of intention that our project “Frontline Doulas – Centering the Community,” the independent doula contractors, and supporting staff honor and uphold the following code of ethics and professional conduct.
The purpose of these codes of ethics is to define what unifies this group and what shared beliefs may be informally recognized within the organization in achieving the stated goals, with the best possible outcomes for all parties involved.
As independent contractors, we collectively are committed to uphold the following code of ethics and professional conduct.
FRONTLINE DOULAS
I. Principles of Conduct
Personal conduct - The doula should maintain high standards of personal conduct in the capacity or identity as a Frontline Doula. We will strive to be kind, considerate and respectful so that we may produce the best work we can as an organization. A doula’s decisions will affect clients and colleagues, and we should take those consequences fully into account when making decisions.
Competency - The Frontline Doula should strive to become and remain proficient in their professional practice and their performance of professional functions. We should also strive to embody the highest standards of cultural competency, sensitivity and humility which includes upholding the intersectional needs of all birthing people.
Honor our values on Social Media- Frontline Doulas should extend respect, courtesy, fairness and good faith towards all birth workers on behalf of our collective. When engaging on social media platforms, the doula agrees to clarify that any opinions are their own, show mutual respect and dignity within communications, and be aware that social media content is public record and may reflect on Frontline Doulas and potentially all stakeholders and community birthwork that you are perceived to represent.
Integrity- The doula should act in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity.
Mutual well being- Our behaviors, professional presentation, organizational communications, and self-care practices should enhance and create positive emotional states and satisfying relationships between the community, our colleagues and ourselves.
II. Ethical Responsibility to Clients
Support a birth justice framework - shared decision making, informed consent, autonomy, anti-racism, and the healing intergenerational trauma.
Endeavour to achieve human rights in childbirth - To foster self-determination, self-advocacy, and the fundamental right to health in our clients, their family and the community.
Confidentiality and privacy- The doula should uphold the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional doula service.
Community centering- The doula should assist each client seeking community doula support either by providing access to local information, services, education and/or appropriate referrals as needed.
Reliability- As a doula, our clients rely on the support we provide and count on the doula to be dependable and honor all professional commitments. Many of our community-based clients have elevated life stressors and the impact of breaches in relationships and agreements can be devastating.
III. Ethical Responsibility to Colleagues
Uplifting, Caring, Respectful- The Frontline Doula should treat colleagues with dignity, respect, kindness and compassion. We are committed to uphold in all programs and among all partners anti-discrimination tenents on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or marital status or any other legally recognized protected group and will uphold federal, state, and local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Dealing with other Frontline Doula’s Clients- The doula has the responsibility to relate to the clients of colleagues with the same consideration and respect as their own. Continuity of care is essential to ensure a positive and supportive experience for clients. After ensuring that there is informed consent, it is important to convey information about any services provided or client needs that arose, if working collaboratively with another doula’s client.
IV. Ethical Responsibility to the Community Doula Profession
Maintain Integrity of the Community Doula Profession- The doula should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of the community birth worker profession.
Commitment to Community- Providing appropriate education and referrals to clients to resources that will best meet their specific needs, accessible and within their community. Warm hand-offs to referrals fosters community relationships and increases the likelihood of a successful referral process for the client, so the doula should provide a warm hand-off, whenever possible.
V. Ethical Responsibility to Community
Promoting Perinatal, Postpartum and Child Welfare- The doula should promote the general health and wellbeing of birthing people and their babies, and whenever possible, that of their family, friends and community.
VI. Standards of Practice
Observe established standards- Doula shall observe the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics as agreed to by the doula’s certifying agency or training organization.