Application: Funding to Support Aspiring Black, Indigenous, and Latinx Lactation Support Providers |
Welcome!
In alignment with the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition’s commitment to addressing racial disparities in breastfeeding, the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) is pleased to announce a funding program to support aspiring Black, Indigenous, and Latinx lactation support providers.
The purpose of this program is to increase the number of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and other certified lactation support providers who share the background of families of color in Kansas and who understand the unique barriers that families of color experience in their breastfeeding journey.
Requirements:
To be considered for funding of up to $1,000, eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
The purpose of this program is to increase the number of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and other certified lactation support providers who share the background of families of color in Kansas and who understand the unique barriers that families of color experience in their breastfeeding journey.
Requirements:
To be considered for funding of up to $1,000, eligible applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latinx and;
- Reside or support breastfeeding families in Wyandotte, Shawnee, Sedgwick counties or Southwest Kansas (Map of eligible counties) and;
- Agree to provide a written report to the KBC by January 31, 2023, with the following:
- An accounting of how funds were used with receipts included;
- A summary of compliance with the overall goal of the fund to address racial disparities in breastfeeding and progress toward personal lactation professional goals;
- The return of any unused funds.
Purpose:
- To support an individual to take the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) Exam for the first time by December 31, 2022, or
- Achieve a lactation certification approved by Lactation Educations Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC). For a full listing of LEAARC-approved courses, visit here for 90-hour courses and here for 40-89 hour courses.
Qualified expenses:
- Fee for IBLCE exam for first-time applicants
- LEAARC-approved education courses (see list above)
- Reference books on human lactation
- Membership fees for the International and/or the United States Lactation Consultant Association
The award funds must be applied towards qualified expenses only. Funds from this program are intended to mitigate costs that serve as barriers to entry to aspiring Black, Indigenous, and Latinx lactation support providers. As non-scholarship-funds, these payments fall outside of the tax treatment of scholarships and are considered non-taxable grants. KBC Board of Directors, staff members, and members of their immediate family are not eligible to apply.