Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Awards Over $8,000 in Scholarships

MANHATTAN, Kansas. (August 9, 2024) – The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC), with support from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund awarded over $8,000 in educational scholarships to support individuals to provide lactation support in their communities.

We have made great strides in Kansas, with over 90% of families choosing to breastfeed.  Yet, breastfeeding rates amongst our communities of color are lower than the state average.

The KBC is committed to addressing racial and geographic inequities in breastfeeding by identifying and supporting breastfeeding advocates in new and innovative ways. In alignment with this goal, the KBC is pleased to award over $8,000 in scholarships to support aspiring lactation support providers in Wichita (2), Dodge City (2), Kansas City Metro (2), Iola (1), Lawrence (1), Salina (1), Burlington (1), Onaga (1).

These scholars provided written statements sharing their vision and passion for helping diverse families. They have demonstrated their commitment to supporting these communities by seeking to further their education in the lactation field.

“Breastfeeding is important for the health and well-being of both the parent and the child. We are excited to work with these individuals to build a diverse lactation support workforce so families in Kansas can receive culturally congruent care,” said Stephanne Rupnicki, Chair-Elect of the KBC Board of Directors and Co-Founder of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Coalition.

The KBC will continue to support these scholarship recipients in the pursuit of their goals. The KBC hopes to find more ways to contribute to equity in breastfeeding for all Kansans.

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is a non-profit organization working collaboratively to promote, support, and protect breastfeeding in order to improve the health and well-being of Kansas families.

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If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Brenda Bandy, KBC Executive Director, call (785) 477-4666 or email bbandy@ksbreastfeeding.org.