Doula

Description

At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert education, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936. 

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

Under the direction of the Doula Supervisor, Doula family support specialist (non-clinical)provides prenatal, birthing, and postpartum support to pregnant women and their families enrolled in the Early Head Start/Prevention Initiative (EHS/PI) program. The Doula supports up to 24 families annually, offering culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to improve maternal health, birth outcomes, and parent-infant attachment. This position partners closely with home visitors, health providers, and community resources to ensure comprehensive family-centered services. Doula family support specialist delivers the full range of Early Head Start services – Education, Inclusion, ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), PFCE (Parent, Family and Community Engagement), and Health and Nutrition – through weekly home visits to enrolled families and monthly prenatal groups throughout south suburban area.

This role is ideal for someone who has respect for children and families with diverse values and cultures and is passionate about achieving positive child and family outcomes through high-quality engagement.

This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago Location at 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide culturally responsive prenatal education, labor support, and postpartum services to enrolled families.
• Maintain a caseload of 8–10 pregnant women, conducting weekly home visits using the Parents as Teachers (PAT) curriculum.
• Attend births for families on their caseload and offer continuous emotional, physical, and informational support during labor and delivery. (Includes availability for overnight, weekend, and evening births as required to meet family needs).
• Provide coverage when other Doulas are unavailable, including attending births as needed.
• Lead monthly prenatal groups, ensuring sessions are engaging, educational, and aligned with program goals.
• Conduct screenings for perinatal and postpartum depression, making appropriate referrals.
• Partner with home visiting staff to ensure seamless integration of Doula services into the EHS/PI program.
• Connect families with healthcare providers, WIC, mental health services, and community resources.
• Assist families in navigating social services related to housing, food insecurity, and family stability.
• Recruit and enroll pregnant women through community outreach, partnerships, and linkage agreements with agencies interested in Doula collaboration.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with medical providers and community agencies to coordinate services and referrals.
• Support breastfeeding education and postpartum care, including home organization, practical support, and family adjustment. 
• Maintain accurate case notes, visit records, and data entry into ChildPlus and other systems as required.
• Track outcomes and complete reports in alignment with Head Start Performance Standards/ ISBE and program expectations.
• Ensure that all documentation is timely, detailed, and reflective of family progress.
• Participate in professional development, reflective supervision, and team meetings to support program quality and growth.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education/Certification:

• Associate’s degree in a related field (Early Childhood, Social Work, Public Health, or related).
• Doula certification (DONA or equivalent) preferred; training provided if not certified.
• Candidates who do not currently hold a doula certification or equivalent training must complete certification within 6 to 12 months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Experience Required:

• Experience providing prenatal, labor, and postpartum support to women and families.
• Knowledge of maternal and infant health, breastfeeding support, and trauma-informed care.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in home visiting, doula services, maternal health, or early childhood programs.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, ISBE Parents as Teachers model, and family engagement best practices.
• Bilingual  ability (English/Spanish or English/Arabic) preferred

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Auto insurance, safe vehicle.
• Reliable vehicle. 

Skills/Abilities:

• Able to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with families.
• Demonstrates a non-judgmental, compassionate, and culturally sensitive approach to working with families. 
• Demonstrates a communication style that is open, adaptable, reflective, engaging, honest, and culturally sensitive. 
• Ability to visit families in home and community settings, and to work flexible hours, including evenings, to meet family needs.
• Ability to engage in reflective learning practices and to utilize constructive feedback in order to inform work with families. 
• Ability to work well with all levels of the organization, partner sites, other agencies, and funding source personnel.
• Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate program outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Well organized, highly detail-oriented, and accuracy-driven.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.