To advance the global development of lactation education, appraise compliance with established standards, and provide ongoing educator support.
Vision
Global access to consistent foundational and continuing professional lactation education.
Equity Statement
Because LEAARC believes all families deserve equitable access to skilled lactation care, LEAARC is committed to ensuring that
all communities have access to quality lactation education and skilled lactation consultants.
History
In 1985 the lactation consultant profession began with the formation of the International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®)
and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®). For over two decades, these two organizations guided the
development of professional and ethical standards, a scope of practice, clinical competencies, and a core curriculum.
In 2008, with an eye toward establishing standards in lactation consultant education, ILCA and IBLCE collaborated to establish
and sponsor the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC). As the third pillar of the profession, LEAARC
was formed as a non-profit organization with a goal to establish standards for and recognize quality in lactation education worldwide.
LEAARC promotes the establishment of a structured, competency-based didactic standard that reflects the profession’s core curriculum.
LEAARC reviews and recognizes didactic courses as well as accredited lactation programs in postsecondary institutions.
