Monday, Feb. 18, 2019 – The United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA) has adopted new organizational guiding principles. The development of this new foundational profile, that includes USLCA’s Mission, Vision and Values, follows a year of organizational reflection and examination and reflect the beginning of an evolution of the association.
“Like healthcare and community health professionals in virtually every healthcare discipline, lactation care providers are experiencing the everchanging landscape of healthcare in our country,” Executive Director, Danielle Harmon said. “USLCA leadership recognized this and set a course for the future with a refreshed focus and purpose in order to continue to thrive both as a profession and as a professional association.”
Over the past year, USLCA’s board and executive leadership conducted research to help guide the association to a path forward to create more relevancy in serving both today’s membership and the new members it will work to attract. The research also provided insight on the future value of building stronger relationships and meaningful collaboration among professional peer groups and the broader family healthcare team, which USLCA believes will lead to greater recognition of the important role of lactation care providers across all communities.
Who are we?
The United States Lactation Consultant Association is a leader in advancing the lactation profession and advocates for the valuable contribution of lactation care providers on the healthcare team and other community health settings. A trusted source of continuing education and professional development, USLCA and its members strive to improve the health and well-being of children and families.
What is our mission?
USLCA exists to support the advancement of the lactation profession and lactation care providers for the health of families across the country.
What is our vision?
Families in every community will have access to professional lactation care to form a foundation for a lifetime of optimal health and wellness.
As an organization, what are our core values?
The U.S. Lactation Consultants Association is a:
- Leader in advancing the community of lactation care providers through professional development, mentoring and advocacy;
- Welcoming, inclusive, member-driven association providing opportunities for professional development and advancement of all lactation care providers;
- Trusted source of relevant information;
- Advocate for lactation care providers and the important role they have on the healthcare team;
- Connector to and convener of other organizations and individuals which seek to improve the health and well-being of families everywhere.
Have feedback? Share your thoughts here.
Download our news announcement and Guiding Principles here.
Review a list of Frequently Asked Questions here.
Has there ever been a consideration of a pathway for those that have been maintaining the CLC credential for X amount of years, or have had X amount of breastfeeding trainings or been employed as a peer counselor for X amount of years?
Excellent work! Love the nice, clear mission and vision and core values that support it an are excitingly achievable! Success will most definitely advance our profession. Thank you for your time and work.
I always thought the purpose of USLCA was to represent me, the IBCLC, in the United States; with a particular focus on promoting and advocating for us at the national and local level. This change in USLCA’s mission statement dilutes the credential of the IBCLC and will further confuse mothers looking for the highest standard in lactation support. Very disappointing.
I am an IBCLC in private practice in Colorado. I am repeatedly being asked to mentor gals who want to know more or do more in the lactation field for example, BSN capstone projects, preparing for a CLC or IBCLC role. I could use some practical guidance about this mentoring role. I love that the USLCA is practical and accessible.
I’d love to hear from you when you have time.
Thank you.
I have been a member of USLCA for a few years. In reviewing today’s announcement I see vision,mission, etc. but no specifics regarding plans for expansion and what that actually means in regards to membership, practice, implementation,etc. I look forward to a more definitive explanation and understanding of how these goals are perceived and envisioned by the leadership.i am also looking forward to the conference in May! Thank you, Mary K.Stanley,RN,IBCLC