ATTENDANCE POLICY
Purpose:
Our attendance policy exists to support intentional participation, relational learning, and group safety, while ensuring equity and consistency for all learners regardless of circumstance. The role of a doula is an active role, as such, our learning spaces require deep and focused participation of all learners. All of our learning spaces rely on presence, group discussion, and shared reflection. Attendance standards allow for these qualities to arise and apply uniformly to all participants, regardless of circumstance.
Please take a moment to review the policies for each of our course types below.
UPDATED 2/19/2026
For Trainings:
TRAININGS INCLUDE:
- End-of-Life Doula Training
- Hospice Doula Training
- End-of-Life Doula Bridge Training
Course Structure:
All end-of-life doula trainings have asynchronous prework, live (online or in-person) group sessions, and asynchronous post work. Upon meeting all attendance, participation, review modules, and pre/post-work requirements, learners receive a Certificate of Completion verifying their participation in the training course and meeting 100% completion of all asynchronous work and review modules and 85% completion of live sessions.
Live Attendance & Participation Expectations
- Learners must attend at least 85% of live synchronous learning (no more than 4 total hours missed for End-of-life Doula Training, 3 hours for Hospice Doula training & 1 hour for Bridge Training)
- Cameras must be on during online sessions to protect group privacy and support relational learning
- Late arrival, early departure, or repeated camera-off time will count as missed attendance
Missed Time & Review Modules
- If you miss 1 and up to 4 total hours of live learning, you will be assigned review modules to cover missed content
- Review modules are:
- Assigned (within 1–2 business days) during (for extended formats) or after the course (for immersive/in-person/retreat formats)
- Required completion by 12 consecutive days post the last day of the training to maintain eligibility for a Certificate of Completion
- Delivered through the INELDA Education Portal
Important limits:
- No more than 3 review modules may be assigned
- Review modules must be completed within 12 consecutive days post-training
- Post-work will open only after assigned review modules are completed
Attendance Thresholds
- 85% -100%:
Eligible for a Certificate of Completion with completion of any assigned review modules - Less than 85%:
Not eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion for that cohort
Learners who fall below 85% may:
- Continue with their current cohort without receiving a Certificate of Completion, or
- Transfer once, at no cost, to another cohort scheduled within six months. No additional transfers or refunds are available.
Equity & Enforcement
This policy is applied consistently and without exception, regardless of the reason for absence. This ensures fairness to all learners and protects the integrity of the learning experience and the Certificate of Completion.
For Classes:
Pathways to Practice is a six-week online discovery process for doulas to consider how they want to build their unique model of care. There are six live/online sessions that we recommend all participants attend to glean insight from a dynamic cohort of practicing doulas. The live sessions are not recorded to protect privacy. If you have extenuating circumstances and can’t make one of the live sessions, there will be a pre-recorded module overview in your education portal. If circumstances continue beyond that window, you can ask to be transferred one time to another cohort within a six-month period – please email [email protected]
For Workshops:
If you are unable to attend the workshop you may transfer once to a future workshop. A transfer to another workshop, to make up missed time is not permitted.
WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
- Mapping Emotions
- Living with Our Dying
- Integrating End-of-Life Doulas into Clinical Models
For Certification Progam:
INELDA’s year-long program invites practicing end-of-life doulas to commit to personal growth within a supportive cohort community. We begin from the premise that by joining the cohort, you are committing to attend all live sessions and to complete all assignments, fieldwork, and journaling within the designated timeframes. While we understand that life happens and we will honor extenuating circumstances, we will rest on the understanding that as doulas we can be malleable, while still remaining self-aware, responsive, and accountable.
If you need to miss a live Zoom session due to extenuating circumstances, please notify your certification educator and the certification program manager before the scheduled session, and cc: [email protected].
Absences:
Learners may miss up to two (2) live Zoom sessions within the 12-month program. For each absence, the learner must review the session recording and submit the corresponding post-video reflection form to demonstrate engagement with the missed content. A third absence from a live session will result in ineligibility for certification within the current cohort. In this circumstance, learners will be offered a one-time opportunity to transfer to the next available cohort.
Please note:
- You will be responsible for any difference in program costs at the time of transfer. Additionally an administrative fee of $50 will apply.
- You will be expected to start from the beginning of the new cohort and redo all previously completed work, ensuring the most complete and relevant experience.
If you choose not to join the next cohort, you can reapply for the certification program at a time that works for you. Submission of a new registration form and full program fees will be required. These policies exist to ensure that all INELDA-trained doulas are fully engaged in the program.
Please contact [email protected] with questions on attendance for any of our trainings, classes, workshops or certification program.