The Breastfeeding Community Impact Award honors a lactation professional or breastfeeding-support ally who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving the health, wellbeing, and breastfeeding outcomes of families across Rhode Island. This award recognizes the essential contributions of lactation consultants, lactation counselors, lactation specialists, doulas, peer counselors, community educators, and their collaborative partners who work tirelessly to ensure that all families receive compassionate, evidence-based lactation support. 
 
Whether working directly with parents and infants or advocating at the system level, these individuals help shape a stronger, healthier future for Rhode Island families. Their commitment creates lasting change in clinical settings, community programs, and the broader perinatal landscape. 
 
Award recipients exemplify equity, empathy, and collaboration. Through their leadership, advocacy, and unwavering service, they help:

• Reduce breastfeeding disparities 
• Elevate the voices of birthing families 
• Promote culturally responsive lactation care 
• Foster supportive environments for human milk feeding

They uphold the highest standards of the lactation and perinatal support professions—demonstrating trust, compassion, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to empowering families. 

Please use this form to nominate a breastfeeding support professional or ally. 
For questions, contact Michelle Mooney, MPA, Program Manager at mmooney@ctc-ri.org . 
 
Award Criteria 
Nominees must meet one of the following: 
 
Professional or Support Role

• Identifies as a lactation consultant (IBCLC, CLC, CLS), doula, breastfeeding peer counselor, WIC breastfeeding counselor, community educator, or someone providing direct breastfeeding support 
  or 
• Is a breastfeeding-support ally in Rhode Island (including perinatal clinicians, community partners, grassroot groups, nonprofit leaders, academic collaborators, or agencies that support lactation work)

Values & Integrity 

• Embodies integrity and reflects the core values of the lactation and perinatal support professions: compassion, equity, respect, cultural humility, and family-centered care 

Experience & Impact 

• Has a minimum of 2 years’ experience providing lactation support, perinatal/community care, or collaborating with the breastfeeding support workforce 
• Has contributed meaningfully to improving breastfeeding outcomes or strengthening the well-being of families in Rhode Island 
• Actively champions the needs, priorities, and lived experiences of the families they serve 
• Participates in breastfeeding- or lactation-focused events, initiatives, committees, or advocacy efforts at the local, state, or national level 

Submissions will open on April 23, 2026

Submissions will close June 26, 2026

Committee will review submissions. Nominee meets one or more of the following (check all that apply): 

• Identifies as a lactation professional (IBCLC, CLC, CLS, peer counselor, doula, etc.)
• Serves as a breastfeeding-support ally in Rhode Island 
• Has at least 2 years of experience in lactation, perinatal, or community support 
• Demonstrates integrity, equity, compassion, and cultural humility 
• Has made meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of breastfeeding families 
• Actively champions community needs and elevates families’ voices 
• Participates in breastfeeding-related groups, programs, or events 

 

Awardees will be informed week of July 15, 2026 and awards presented at the RI Breastfeeding Conference on Aug 06, 2026.