Lactation Education Specialist (LES) Program Scholarships

Organization: The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles (BreastfeedLA)

Geographic Scope: Greater Los Angeles area, Los Angeles County, CA

Program Focus:

• Scholarships for individuals pursuing Lactation Education Specialist (LES) certification
• Support for those preparing for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) licensing exam
• Training to become lactation educators and consultants

Award Details:

• 2023 awards: Over $83,500 in total scholarships and free training offered
• Individual awards: Ranging from $935 to $1,385.50
• 2023 recipients: 8 applicants received monetary scholarships
• Non-recipients still receive approximately 50% discount on traditional program costs

Eligible Applicants:

• Women of color (BIPOC communities)
• Community members interested in lactation education
• Those facing financial barriers to lactation certification

What Funding Covers:

• LES Program tuition
• Exam costs and exam preparation materials
• Clinical Lactation Training program expenses
• Clinical placement fees
• Scrubs and supplies
• Childcare during clinical placement
• IBCLC examination costs

Mission & Focus:

• Increase representation of women of color in the lactation profession
• Address health disparities in breastfeeding support
• Support underrepresented communities in accessing lactation education
• Promote infant feeding equity
• Help overcome barriers including financial constraints, microaggressions, and lack of clinical placement access

Contact Information:

• Organization: Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles
• EIN: 95-4861413
• Website: breastfeedla.org

Additional Notes:

• Scholarship recipients featured from 2020, 2022, and 2023 cohorts
• Program includes mentorship and community clinic access ("Liberation Lounge")
• Clinical training available in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community settings

Application Process

Information Available:

• Scholarship applications accepted on a rolling or annual basis
• Community sponsors and donors support the awards
• Selection prioritizes applicants from BIPOC communities
• Application details not fully specified on website

Required Information:
Detailed application instructions, deadlines, and required documents are not provided in the available website content. Applicants should contact BreastfeedLA directly for current application procedures and requirements.

Application Steps:

1. Contact BreastfeedLA for current scholarship application materials
2. Submit completed application with required documentation
3. Selection committee reviews applications
4. Awards notification and disbursement

Contact for Application Details:

• Email or phone: Available through breastfeedla.org contact page
• Organization: The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles