About NAPS

We are a professional organization for doulas in the Puget Sound area, including Seattle

NAPS began in 1996 as a collective of postpartum doulas wanting to support each other and increase their visibility in the Seattle area. In 2021, 25 years later, NAPS became a full-spectrum organization.


We are a not-for-profit with a volunteer board of directors. We are able to offer continuing education, mentorship, peer support, marketing, and certification through membership dues, fees, and donations from our community. We will never request money from parents for doula referrals.

Mission Statement

The Northwest Association for Perinatal Support (NAPS) invests in a diverse and equitable community for doulas across the full spectrum of reproductive experiences. NAPS supports its doulas through mentorship, continuing education, peer connection, advocacy, competency-based certification, and promoting visibility within client and provider communities.

Vision Statement

NAPS envisions a strong community where every doula is supported and valued for their skills, experience, and contributions. NAPS envisions a world without adverse outcomes, with equitable access to culturally competent, full-spectrum doula care for all people, through the many thresholds of their reproductive lives.

  • Anti-Oppression Statement

    As a professional organization that mentors, educates, and certifies doulas, we are a  collective of human beings who care deeply about dismantling systems of oppression and anti-Blackness that exist in our professional community. NAPS, as an organization, historically and presently run predominantly by white people, is not yet doing all that we can to undo the systemic racism, the anti-Blackness, and the anti-queer/trans-gate-keeping endemic in birth professions. There is always more to be done. 


    The NAPS board feels strongly that we must make a stand to challenge white supremacy as an organization in an effort to be constantly working toward allyship, toward inclusivity, and toward building a safe and supportive world for all families and those who serve them. We must center the truth that Black, Brown, and Indigenous babies die at more than twice the rate of white babies. We must center the truth that Black, Brown, and Indigenous birthing parents die at more than 3 times the rate of white parents. Systemic racism, racist bias, systemic poverty, and intergenerational trauma are driving worsening outcomes for Black and Indigenous families. This is a crisis and we must not continue to be silent.


    We recognize that equity begins on the individual level. We all need to be doing our own work on an ongoing basis to examine our biases around race and gender. It is not enough to say “I don’t have any; I treat everyone the same”. When we start the work of internal examination, we find that isn’t actually true. Building a more just and equitable community requires that we do our internal work and we must also be actively working to change the systems that continue to oppress people in every way that we can. As an organization we have a responsibility to support our members doing both this internal and collective work.


    You can find a timeline of the work that we’re doing as an organization here.


    If you have questions about the above Anti-Oppression statement or are wondering why we are taking such a stance as an organization that serves doulas, please check out the RESOURCE LIST HERE. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Co-Directors at info@napsdoulas.com.

Board Of Directors

NAPS Doulas is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 professional association with a working volunteer Board of Directors. All members of NAPS Doulas are encouraged to join the board and share their unique strengths with the community.


Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments!

Co-Directors
(2 open positions)
info@napsdoulas.com


Secretary
Denise Weinstein
secretary@napsdoulas.com


Treasurer
Rachael Katz
treasurer@napsdoulas.com


Referral Coordinator
Denise Messick
referralcoordinator@napsdoulas.com


Volunteer Coordinator
Amanda Granberg
volunteer@napsdoulas.com


NAPS Alliance for Social Equity (NASE)
Committee Co-Leads
Jani Rodriguez and (open position)
nase@napsdoulas.com


Membership Committee Lead
Aleca Murphy
membership@napsdoulas.com


Certification Committee Lead
Caroline Moran
certification@napsdoulas.com


Mentorship Committee Lead
Leah Schilling
mentorship@napsdoulas.com


Continuing Education Committee Lead
Jordan Davison
continuinged@napsdoulas.com


Marketing Committee Lead
(open position)
marketing@napsdoulas.com


Board Member at Large
Mariana Graciano
memberatlarge@napsdoulas.com

Keli Schurman-Darby

grievance-memberatlarge@napsdoulas.com


Find Your Postpartum Doula

Standards of Practice

  • I. Scope

    Services Rendered

    The doula provides culturally appropriate emotional, physical, and educational care for their client’s family during the perinatal period. The doula offers evidence-based information on infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, and other issues related to the perinatal period including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.


    Limits of Practice

    NAPS Doulas Standards apply to emotional, physical and educational support only. The NAPS doula does not medically diagnose or clinically treat conditions. The doula refers to medical providers for diagnosis or medical treatment. The doula will communicate any observational concerns with their client about any family member, including the baby. The doula provides care that is culturally appropriate for the doula and their client. The doula only provides services in which they are trained.


    Referrals

    For client needs beyond the scope of the doula’s training, referrals will be made to appropriate resources.

  • II. Commitment to Client

    When a doula agrees to work with a particular client, the obligation is to do so reliably, to the best of the doula’s ability, for the term of the agreement. Should any doula feel a need to discontinue service to an established client, it is the doula’s responsibility to notify the client in writing and arrange for a replacement, if the client desires. This may be accomplished by:


    • Introducing the client to another NAPS postpartum doula
    • Contacting NAPS Doulas, or another doula organization, for names of other available doulas
    • Following up with the client, or other  doula, to make sure that the client’s needs are being accommodated

  • III. Training & Experience

    Referral Line

    Doulas available on the NAPS Doulas Referral Line have met all Referral Line requirements, including affirming their basic knowledge in the NAPS Competency areas and commitment to continuing to learn, adherence to NAPS Core Values, Standards and Ethics, current CPR certification (postpartum only), current liability insurance, and a Washington State background check.  Doulas on the Referral Line may also be NAPS certifiedDoulas that are certified by NAPS Doulas may choose one of two pathways.


    Certification

    Doulas that are certified by NAPS Doulas have met the requirements  to participate in the NAPS Referral Line listed above.* NAPS Certified Doulas also have attended an approved training and/or demonstrated knowledge in the eight NAPS Competency areas.  Certification also requires completion of mentorship, client evaluations, and proof of continuing education and cultural learning. All certification requirements are reviewed, approved, and re-approved every three years. *Background check is not a requirement of certification.


    Maintenance of Qualifications

    Doulas maintain their eligibility for the NAPS Referral Line by staying current with NAPS membership, liability insurance and hands-on infant CPR.  They also renew their Washington State background check and NAPS Core Values orientation every three years. NAPS Certified Doulas are also required to accrue continuing education credits - including cultural learning opportunities - and client evaluations.  

Code of Ethics

  • I. Rules of Conduct

    Personal Conduct. The doula will maintain high standards of personal conduct in the capacity of a NAPS Doula as defined by the Code of Ethics. The doula has a responsibility to honor the inherent value and dignity of each person.


    Competence and Professional Development. The doula will strive to become and remain proficient in the professional practice and the performance of professional functions through continuing education, affiliation with related organizations, and associations with other doulas.


    Integrity. The doula will act in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity.

  • II. Ethical Responsibility to Clients

    Primacy of Client’s Interests. The doula’s primary responsibility is to the clients.


    Rights and Prerogatives of Clients. The doula will support and respect the client’s culture, traditions, and parenting choices.


    Confidentiality and Privacy. The doula will respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service.


    Obligation to Serve. The doula will assist each client seeking perinatal support, either by providing services or making appropriate referrals.


    Reliability. When the doula agrees to work with a particular client, the obligation is to do so reliably, without fail, for the term of the agreement. The agreement (verbal or written), will clearly state any limitations on the doula’s availability, to the best of the doula’s ability, for the term of the agreement.


    Fees. The doula will clearly state fees to the clients, with a description of the services provided, terms of payment and refund policy.

  • III. Ethical Responsibility to Colleagues

    Respect, Fairness and Courtesy. The doula will treat colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness and integrity.


    Dealing with Colleagues’ Clients. The doula has the responsibility to relate to the clients of colleagues with full professional consideration.

  • IV. Ethical Responsibility to the Perinatal Doula

    Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession. The doula will uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of the global profession.


    Community Service. The doula is encouraged to assist the NAPS Doulas’ community by volunteering with the Board of Directors, and/or assist families in need by making reduced cost or pro-bono perinatal services available when possible.

  • V. Ethical Responsibility to Society

    Promote Family Welfare. The doula will promote the general health of families and their babies whenever possible.

Grievance Procedure

  • Goal and Purpose

    The goal in having a Grievance Procedure is to provide a mechanism through which the public and the community of doulas may be protected if there is alleged misconduct on the part of a NAPS certified doula or NAPS member. The purpose of the Grievance Procedure is to provide a vehicle in which a complaint may be brought, a fair and complete investigation undertaken and appropriate action taken.

  • Procedure

    Any grievance or complaint must be brought to one of the Co-Directors (info@napsdoulas.com) who will then immediately form a Grievance Committee of two additional board members. The concerns may be submitted by anyone, including but not limited to the client, the partner or family, a nurse, the client’s care provider, another doula; or it may be originated by the Grievance Committee. If at all possible, the board members chosen to be on the Committee will not have a vested personal or business interest in the doula in question. The first decision the Committee will make is whether the issue is a grievance or complaint. In both scenarios, the Grievance Form will provide documentation of the decision and be kept in the member’s file.

  • Complaint

    If the objection is determined not to fall into any of the four grievance categories, then it is a complaint. The doula will be notified by one of the Co-Directors that a complaint has been issued, and given the opportunity to present their side of the circumstances via a documented conversation or in writing. In the event of one doula receiving three complaints, the procedure will change to that of a grievance.

  • Grievance

    There are four types of grievances:

    1. Concern with the direct care and well-being of the parents, baby or family member
    2. Failure to adhere to the NAPS Code of Ethics
    3. Failure to work within the NAPS Standards of Practice
    4. Third complaint

    If the issue is found to be a grievance, the person for whom the grievance is against will be informed that a grievance has been issued and asked to meet with the Committee. If the doula is a NAPS referral line participant, they will be temporarily removed from the referral line until a resolution is found. If the doula fails to attend the meeting, their NAPS membership may be revoked. If the doula the grievance is against is a current NAPS Board member, the board position will be temporarily suspended until a resolution is found. If the doula the grievance is against has submitted a letter of intent to join the NAPS Board of Directors, the intention will be suspended until the resolution is complete.

  • Resolution

    At the grievance meeting with the Committee and doula in question, the Committee will use the Grievance Form to document the topics covered. The Committee will have an additional meeting to review the information and come to a Committee Agreed Action. This could include a determination that the doula no longer has certification or membership with NAPS. All involved parties will be notified of the Committee Agreed Action within a week of the grievance meeting.


    If a grievance cannot be resolved due to a lack of impartiality, then the NAPS Board of Directors will hire a mediator from outside the doula community to resolve the issue.


    A grievance does not preclude the option of joining the NAPS Board of Directors, but may result in a trial period of three months upon joining the board.

  • Appeals

    If any party is dissatisfied with the decision of the Grievance Committee, they may appeal the decision to the entire Board of Directors.

  • Confidentiality

    All parties involved in the Grievance Procedure, including the complainant, the NAPS doula in question, members of the Grievance Committee and Board of Directors and any third parties must agree to keep confidential for all time any and all verbal or written communications regarding the mediation, negotiations, conclusions and/or sanctions of the grievance or complaint filed with NAPS.