Announcing: Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery

(from Executive Director Jennie Joseph, LM, CPM)

Thank you for your interest in Florida's newly licensed direct-entry midwifery program. I am proud to offer the Three-year Midwifery Program and the Four Month Pre-licensure Program for foreign-trained midwives only (midwives licensed/certified in another country).

Both programs will lead to a Diploma in Midwifery and, after passing the NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) exam, an opportunity to become a Florida Licensed Midwife (LM) affording practice in Florida under Chapter 467 FS and the ability to provide prenatal. labor and delivery and postpartum services for Florida families. Candidates may also apply for the nationally accredited credential Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) after passing the NARM.

I am excited to be able to direct a midwifery school (for the second time) and look forward to bringing a unique approach to midwifery education.My focus will be on the clinical aspects of midwifery training and I will apply my international and individual experiences to a very strong and clinically sound format.

I welcome the renowned Justine Clegg MS, LM, CPM as our Academic Director. Justine is a Florida Licensed Midwife and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Involved in maternal and child health since 1973 as a La Leche League leader, childbirth educator, founding member of the Midwives Association of Florida, homebirth midwife and political activist, she earned her M.S. in counseling in 1991 and has served as Director of the Midwifery Program at Miami Dade College since 1994. She was a founding Board member of MEAC (Midwifery Education Accreditation Council) and helped develop the NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) certification process, as well as being the current Board Secretary of the Association of Midwifery Educators. She will join me in presenting an academic program crafted to produce confident, accomplished midwives, ready and able to serve their community with heart and passion.

As we begin classes in January 2010 we will be operating under the initial Provisional License # 4052 as issued by Florida Department of Education. Please note: we have been informed that we cannot start the 'distance learning' component of our program until we have completed the first year. At that time we will need to re-apply to the state of Florida for the ability to add 'distance learning'. After one year the state will issue our 'full' license. To that end we will proceed in January 2010 with an ON-SITE PROGRAM only.

Classes will be held on Fridays at 1150 E. Plant St. Winter Garden. I will only be seating a very small class initially with a view to expanding the following year. Tuition for the Three-year Program is $19,320 and $5,250 for the Four Month Program. Our upcoming Orientation is scheduled for October 9, 2009 at The Birth Place, Winter Garden. Please email docsophie@gmail.com for more details or to rsvp.

Thank you!

Jennie Joseph LM, CPM
Executive Director