Brittany Frishman Awarded Scholarship to Advance Lactation Support in Her Community

We are excited to announce that Brittany Frishman is one of the fortunate scholarship recipients awarded by the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) to support her ongoing efforts in providing lactation support in her community!

The KBC, with generous support from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, has awarded over $8,000 in educational scholarships to individuals across Kansas who are committed to improving lactation support and increasing breastfeeding rates in their communities.

Advancing Lactation Support in Kansas

As of August 9, 2024, the KBC shared that Kansas has made significant progress, with over 90% of families choosing to breastfeed. However, breastfeeding rates are lower among communities of color, which has created an opportunity to address these disparities.

In response, the KBC is focusing efforts on closing the gap in breastfeeding support, especially in communities that have been historically underserved. One of the key ways the coalition is doing this is by offering scholarships to individuals who are passionate about increasing access to culturally congruent lactation care.

Through these scholarships, the KBC hopes to help create a diverse and well-equipped lactation support workforce in Kansas.

A Diverse Group of Scholarship Recipients

The $8,000+ in scholarships were awarded to aspiring lactation support providers from various regions across Kansas, including:

• Wichita (2)

• Dodge City (2)

• Kansas City Metro (2)

• Iola (1)

• Lawrence (1)

• Salina (1)

• Burlington (1)

• Onaga (1)

These individuals, including Brittany, have demonstrated their dedication to supporting diverse families and have shown a deep passion for advancing lactation education. In their written statements, they expressed their commitment to furthering their knowledge in the lactation field and providing support to communities that need it most.

Bridging the Gap in Lactation Support

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

The KBC is thrilled to work alongside these scholarship recipients as they pursue their education in lactation support. The coalition is also committed to continuing to support them as they progress in their goals, knowing that each step forward means better support for families across the state.

The KBC’s Ongoing Commitment

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding in order to improve the health and well-being of Kansas families. The KBC recognizes that increasing access to lactation support is vital for addressing the racial and geographic inequities in breastfeeding care.

As part of their ongoing mission, the KBC will continue to look for new ways to contribute to equity in breastfeeding for all Kansans. The scholarship program is just one of many initiatives that reflect the coalition's dedication to ensuring that every family has access to high-quality, culturally relevant breastfeeding support.

About the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding across the state. Through advocacy, education, and community outreach, the KBC strives to improve breastfeeding rates, support new parents, and create a network of healthcare providers who can offer knowledgeable, compassionate care.

For more information about the KBC or to schedule an interview with Brenda Bandy, the KBC Executive Director, you can reach out at (785) 477-4666 or email bbandy@ksbreastfeeding.org.

We congratulate Brittany Frishman and the other scholarship recipients for their dedication to making a difference in their communities. Their hard work and commitment will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on breastfeeding support across Kansas!