Financial Assistance Fund


Financial Assistance Fund - Introduction!

I consider skilled lactation care to be a basic human right. Center for Disease Control (CDC) statistics show that most parents want to breastfeed, but stop early due to lack of ongoing support. Every family should have the care they need to meet their own breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding impacts so many aspects of family wellness – from reducing health concerns like diabetes and asthma and lifelong maternal cancer risks to improving mother / parent-child bonding. Breastfeeding makes a powerful contribution to the well-being of our community’s families.


Unfortunately, the Columbia and Greene County WIC program does not currently provide IBCLC care, and Medicaid does not currently cover home based IBCLC lactation care. Since families participating in WIC or covered by Medicaid are usually those least able to afford out of pocket health care expenses, we’ve created the Financial Assistance Fund to help bridge the gap.


We welcome and encourage Donations to the Financial Assistance Fund so that IBCLC breastfeeding care can be made accessible to families in our community participating in WIC and Medicaid! Please join our amazing community of donors with your donation in any amount, small or large, on a one time or recurring basis. 

WIC & Medicaid Participants*

Families with current WIC ID’s or NY State Electronic Benefit / Medicaid cards will be asked to self-designate the fee they can afford, underwritten by the Financial Assistance Fund. 

Home Visit Fee for WIC / Medicaid participants Suggested^^: $75*, with the difference to standard fees underwritten by the Financial Assistance Fund.*

Live Video Telehealth Fee for WIC / Medicaid participants Suggested^^: $25*, with the difference to standard fees underwritten by the Financial Assistance Fund.*


SNAP Participants*

Families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be Suggested^^ a further reduced fee of $15* for Home Visits, and $3 for Live Video Telehealth, with the difference to standard fees underwritten by the Financial Assistance Fund.*


^^These are Suggested Fees-- Families who participate in these programs will be asked to self designate a fee in any amount they feel that they can afford. No One Will Be Turned Away Due to Lack of Funds!


*While Fund balance is available. Please donate to the Fund to keep these services accessible to families in our community!

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