CCAC Launches End-of-Life Doula Program and Dementia Practitioner Seminar

CCAC Workforce Development Division announces new healthcare offerings and spring Doula Maternity certification training

The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has announced the launch of an End-of-Life Doula program and an Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care seminar as part of the college’s Workforce Development noncredit healthcare offerings. 

The first of its kind in the region, the in-person End-of-Life Doula certification training at CCAC South Campus will begin February. This program is 45 hours and is designed to train students to provide emotional, spiritual, and practical assistance to individuals and their families during the end-of-life process. 

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care seminar, set to begin in April at CCAC South Campus, is the required seminar for those who qualify and are pursuing certification as a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). The eight-hour seminar is also open to those who are interested in simply obtaining the education. After completion of the seminar, participants must apply to the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners for certification, which is valid for two years.

For more information and to register for the End-of-Life Doula certification training or the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care seminar, contact Jodi Campano at 724.325.6874 or email jcampano@ccac.edu.

In addition to the new training programs, the popular Maternity Doula certification program will once again be available. Two cohorts will be offered, one at Homewood-Brushton Center (starting Feb. 18) and the other at CCAC Boyce Campus (starting Feb. 24). Designed to qualify students to support the entire reproductive journey— from fertility through pregnancy, labor, childbirth, postpartum, breastfeeding and bereavement—this nine-week hybrid course comprises 50 hours of instruction that includes a mandatory practicum. Students completing the training will receive a comprehensive Interdisciplinary Perinatal Doula (IPD) certification, granted by Masters of Maternity in partnership with CCAC. Those interested can register by calling 412.788.7546 or emailing doula@ccac.edu

All three programs are open to anyone age 18 or older, and while the curriculum is designed to be accessible to people without a background in healthcare, the programs also provide an opportunity for healthcare professionals to expand their knowledge and skills.