This is the idea that never dies. IBLCE wants to launch a Stepping Stone
Credential.
http://http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Time-Sensitive---IBLCE-Is-Seeking-Volunteers-.html?soid=1101909068365&aid=HiVeybfXZAM
<https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmyemail.constantcontact.com%2FTime-Sensitive---IBLCE-Is-Seeking-Volunteers-.html%3Fsoid%3D1101909068365%26aid%3DHiVeybfXZAM&h=ATMszZz9wRQJHPrGCR5hUPSkO1LVsatYQ2Ca45s7p31NLX1po3-M35JfknrbvGb3-BPXED3SrS3SUuG4zTLUs027xUyGxj0mADCC0y2XfivVw2UJYzORtCYRtFG9teiUyx6rAmQYW6kJCxEghd6b3jQ&enc=AZOmPE0MYNIdlJt4Bt8WKgJskY9pDCfn0mPZHO05BbYBrXDRy3dGdkEbS4OBWIP2zDwCI4IBNMPZA-crYjspWySPgxHkI8_pQoIC4siBiKFDVWfMRQtVtKTmEDf4mXr48GlL5faxeOg5Wc2MJGepWyOL-TErhRfLw8efij-EgMF4RwaSyXIrRust3rdrs4NEjCa1QAjIURTsiSyMFP-UfFau&s=1>
I watch these things LIKE A HAWK, and it alarms me when they die down
because IBLCE never uses language that says We Have Killed This Idea Once
And For All. Then, alerts like this pop up. And it is back on the front
burner. Ugh.
I do NOT have one moment of concern about the notion of different layers
and levels of BFg Helpers being out there, in the world, helping families,
getting paid to help them, and (where relevant) knowing how to refer to
specialists like IBCLCs. I am a "Big Tent" kind of a person. There is more
than enough need for new families to have excellent, compassionate
counseling -- and clinical -- care. It takes a village to
breastfeed/chestfeed a child!
I **do** have a big issue with MY certifying organization -- whose primary
job is to put on MY certification exam (since they are the ONLY folks who
can put on the "IBCLC" exam) -- now stepping into the creation of a whole
new certification, that will confusingly compete with the one they already
have.
The market is NOT demanding it. This is primarily a USA-based issue. We
already have TONS of Other BFg Helper programs, certificates, and courses
out there. I am NOT hearing people weep and moan and say "Oh, if only there
was a Stepping Stone program for the IBCLC credential! Boo Hoo!" Nope.
LEAARC has approved something like **17** courses that teach folks about
the rudiments of BFg physiology, counseling, and support. The teaching is
already out there, and readily available.
Mark my words: there will lots of justification from IBLCE to say "Oh, but
we do certification exams really well. We will make sure the requirements
for Stepping Stone are top notch. We will have a psychometrically excellent
exam." Well, yes. True enough. BUT. Just like the IBCLC certification exam,
it will be VOLUNTARILY OBTAINED.
So while IBLCE may be flooding the already flooded market with yet another
level of BFg Helper, that will not stop the other entities from selling
their programs. And it will not be required of people to go and get this
Better Stepping Stone from IBLCE. IBLCE will just be hustling for students
-- oops, I mean exam takers -- like everyone else who has a LEAARC-approved
course..
And CRITICALLY it will divert precious IBLCE time, resources, staff, and
Board concentration AWAY from making the **IBCLC** exam more accessible,
especially for those from underserved and marginalized populations. Folks
who need a Stepping Stone at IBLCE more so than they need to see another
kind of parent-to-parent counselor program.
Sheesh. I would urge instead that IBLCE spend time, resources, and energy
on increasing equitable access -- and reduction of barriers of entry --
into the ***IBCLC*** profession.
--
Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC, FILCA
Wyndmoor, PA, USA
Director, Human Milk Banking Assn of North America (2015-17)
Adjunct Professor, Drexel Univ, Public Policy of Breastfeeding
"IBCLCs empower women and save babies' lives!"-Ursuline Singleton
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