The Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) is one of five bureaus and 11 offices of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that improves the health of underserved and vulnerable populations such as rural, urban, and tribal underserved communities by strengthening the health workforce and connecting skilled professionals to communities in need. The Bureau administers loan repayment programs for health professionals and provides training grants to support institutions that train healthcare providers to practice in high-need areas nationwide.
Advocacy opportunity: Ask that training programs that prepare providers to practice as IBCLCs be included in loan repayment programs and in training grants. Ask that IBCLC training programs be added to those programs that receive funding from the Bureau. Support should also be provided for IBCLC training programs that increase opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds including racial and ethnic minorities, that are underrepresented in the IBCLC workforce.