IDI Grievance Policy

IDI Grievance Policy

Our grievance policy is as follows:

1. Per our training, the International Doula Institute has clear scope of practice for each certification we offer. We also provide clear training regarding evidenced-based information, respectability, and interaction with clients and fellow professionals. While we hope no IDI certified doula ever serves outside scope of practice or our code of conduct, it is important should that occur, it can be appropriately addressed. Provide a written explanation of the complaint to concerns@internationaldoulainstitute.com which includes:
   1. Your name and role (e.g., client, fellow doula, hospital nurse, etc.)
   2. Date of concern or time frame
   3. Your specific concerns and pertinent details
   4. If you have additional evidence, such as text communication or images, please include
   5. Are you in need of mediation to solve a conflict? Or is there a safety concern regarding the doula remaining certified with IDI?
2. IDI will review the complaint and then reach out to the doula for additional information, their perspective and experience of the situation, and allow them to provide any pertinent evidence.
3. Within 30 days of receiving the complaint, IDI will:
   1. Review the complaint with the founder of IDI, Aliza Juliette, and at least two instructors
   2. The situation will be discussed within understanding of IDI’s scope of practice and code of conduct as well as any relevant legal concerns (e.g., did a doula act outside of scope and lead to investigation of practicing without a license?)
   3. If mediation is requested and appropriate, IDI will reach back out to the person who submitted the grievance after communicating with the doula.
4. IDI will make a final determination with the founder and two instructors with one of the following outcomes:
   1. The doula did not act outside the scope of practice or code of conduct and/or the grievance is not relevant to doula certification.
   2. The doula did act outside scope of practice or code of conduct and make an appropriate determination whether there is a suspension in certification or if their certification with IDI is revoked
   3. The doula did act outside of scope or code of conduct but in good faith, or unintentionally, and additional training will be provided if requested by the doula (may incur an additional cost) to maintain certification.

It is important to note that there is no single global, federal, or state level organization which regulates or oversees all certified doulas. IDI is only able to provide mediation and discussion for IDI certified doulas. It is also important to be aware that while IDI can revoke a certification, as there is no regulation of doulas in most areas, we cannot guarantee a doula will cease providing doula care. We can only guarantee they are no longer certified with IDI if that is the determined outcome of the grievance.