[New Jersey] — The New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition (NJBC) is proud to announce the launch of its 2025 Lactation Professional Navigation Program (LPNP), an initiative designed to support aspiring International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) on their path to certification. This program provides mentorship, financial assistance, and educational resources to help build a diverse and skilled lactation workforce in New Jersey.
The LPNP offers participants access to mentorship from experienced, recertified IBCLCs who will guide them through the complex process of IBCLC certification, clinical practice requirements, and professional development. In addition, participants may be eligible for a scholarship of up to $1,000 per person to help fund health science coursework, lactation-specific classes, and textbooks essential for their training and certification journey.
The NJBC is committed to promoting breastfeeding equity, increasing community support for lactation, and advocating for policies that enhance access to high-quality lactation care. Through initiatives like the LPNP, the coalition continues its mission to expand the reach of lactation professionals and improve health outcomes for parents and infants statewide.
Key Information:
The NJBC Lactation Equity Scholarship Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to support individuals seeking IBCLC certification. The program is structured, offers targeted financial aid, and integrates mentorship to help recipients successfully achieve their goals. The detailed planning and consideration for a variety of individual needs demonstrates a thoughtful approach to increasing the number of certified lactation consultants.
What’s Included:
✔️ Funding for lactation-specific education and health science courses
✔️ Mentorship from experienced IBCLCs
✔️ Support to fulfill IBCLC pathway requirements
Eligibility:
- Preference to members of an historically under-represented group of lactation care providers (Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Native American/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Veterans, LGBTQIA+, current/former WIC participant, was in foster care system)
- Must be a current New Jersey resident
- Must currently be on one of the Pathways
- Must have a plan to complete their journey within 3 years (with a realistic plan to apply to sit for the IBCLC exam by May 2028)
- Must be currently earning clinical hours
Applications for the 2025 Lactation Professional Navigation Program will open on March 10, 2025, closing April 21, 2025. Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/NJBClpnp2025
All accepted applicants must:
- Attend monthly Zoom check-in meetings with the program directors.
- Submit of bi-weekly (every 2 weeks) progress reports.
- Be able to start attending online classes in July 2025.
- Commit to completing everything scholarship funds are being requested for by February 2026.
- Attend quarterly NJBC meetings (in-person or Zoom).
- Consent to having their name, town, photograph, and brief bio shared with the announcement of acceptance into the Program and possible future NJBC messaging.
Applicants should prepare to answer the following required questions:
- As of now, what type of involvement have you had within the lactation community to advance the cause of normalizing breastfeeding in our state?
- Why do you want to become a lactation professional?
- What organizations or coalitions are you a member of that are aligned with supporting breastfeeding? Tell us how you have participated as a member to advance lactation.
- Explain how this scholarship or mentorship program will help you reach your goal of becoming an IBCLC/CBS.
- What helped you make the decision to become an IBCLC or breastfeeding counselor/educator? How do these experiences help you to contribute to the communities you serve?
- What barrier(s) do you foresee being a hinderance to you completing your selected program of study?
- How did you learn of this program? Please be specific. (If it was your supervisor, please tell us what organization you work for. If it was on social media, please tell us which group. If it was a friend or colleague, please tell us who.)
