On August 15th a writer stated "As for ILEAC, I can't say that I am 
convinced this 'accrediting body' is what
the lactation profession needs.  In essence, I feel it amounts to the 
blessed blessing the blessed.  Both the accreditors and the accreditees are 
in the business."

Accreditation is highly sought after in other professional education 
programs. It is an expectation in most professions, that people will receive 
their education from accredited courses or programs. Courses and programs 
are normally accredited by the respective professional association with an 
extensive objective criteria based process. Who else would have the 
knowledge base to perform this function?

 "FROM SOUTHWEST AIRLINES SPIRIT MAGAZINE, Aug 2005
Spirit of Education

 "Most colleges and universities receive one or more references from 
recognized accreditation agencies that attest to the quality and veracity of 
their program. Beyond simply identifying whether a school is generally 
legit, though, accreditation agencies (or councils) also offer approvals for 
specific programs, such as nursing, education and engineering, which may 
prove critical with employers.
 'For many jobs, you need to come from an accredited program,' says Maria 
Teresa Velez, associate dean of the Graduate College at the University of 
Arizona in Tucson. The U.S. Department of Education offers a handy search 
engine (www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation) for checking up on a school's various 
accreditations, and for those considering certified fields, such as 
engineering or psychology, the national organization supporting those 
professions may also accredit them.

'It's a seal of approval, a demonstration that the program meets the higher 
standards of the association,' says Velez.

 A little research goes a long way with regard to online course work. 'There 
are a lot of schools popping up these days - literally - so you need to be 
careful,' says Lynn Reinke, director of communications for extended learning 
at West Virginia University and instructor at the university's Perley Isaac 
Reed School of Journalism. 'Distance learning should meet the same 
accreditation requirements as any other school. The red flag could be that 
they actually pooh-pooh accreditation on their website. If you see "Get an 
MBA in three months", then you won't.'

"For many jobs, you need to come from an accredited program. It's a seal of 
approval, a demonstration that the program meets the higher standards of the 
association."

This is exactly what ILCA, the professional association for IBCLCs  is 
trying to achieve through ILEAC.( International Lactation Education 
Accreditation Council - a sub committee within ILCA)

To move this profession forwards we each  need to encourage all education 
courses/programs to become ILCA Accredited - application forms are available 
on the website www.ilca.org

Individually we must start asking if courses are accredited by ILCA, as part 
of our own evaluation process for selection of an education offering.  This 
will help to raise the bar on the standards around lactation education.

Equally important, individual memberships in ILCA enables the professional 
association to continue to implement these programs on behalf of our 
profession; if you don't have a current ILCA membership, please join NOW!!
Maureen Fjeld, IBCLC, RLC
Calgary, Alberta 

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