Congratulations to our own Jessica Trinidad Perez on earning her IBCLC certification!

There’s a new Spanish-speaking IBCLC in town! We are overjoyed to announce our incredible Lactation Specialist Jessica has passed the rigorous IBCLC exam. Jessica is a key member of our lactation team, offering one on one support, facilitating lactation lounges, and teaching monthly prenatal education en español.  

 Jessica’s Journey in her words 

Becoming an IBCLC is more than a certification for me—it’s a mission rooted in my own story. I grew up watching women in my family and community nurse their babies and the babies of sisters and friends. Bodyfeeding is connection, culture, and care. 

When my oldest son was born and I couldn’t nurse him directly, it broke me. I felt like my body had failed, and I didn’t know that specialized help even existed. 

That experience pushed me to learn everything I could about lactation. I completed multiple trainings and searched for answers, until I discovered the lactation consultant profession and realized it was my calling.  

As I learned and healed, I gained the knowledge and confidence that allowed me to nurse my youngest for two years. Today, my goal is to support nursing parents with compassion—helping them understand why feeding can be challenging and empowering them to make informed decisions. Working at Open Arms has allowed me to fulfill that mission, especially by supporting mi comunidad, Hispanic families who face language barriers in accessing equitable and respectful care. 

Jessica will be facilitating our first ever Spanish-Centered Community Lactation Specialist Training this Spring.  

Jessica has been hard at work, alongside our Clinical Lactation Lead, Elizabeth Montez, to develop a Spanish-language lactation training for aspiring Lactation Counselors.  

Here’s what Jessica had to say about the impact of the Community Lactation Specialist (CLS) program and her excitement for offering this training to her community. 

On my path to becoming an IBCLC, the Community Lactation Specialist program at Open Arms, guided by Elizabeth Montez, strengthened not only my professional skills but also my humanity. Stepping into the role of facilitator and building a Spanish‑centered curriculum for future counselors is a profound honor.  

I would like to invite you to be part of that. CLS opens the door for aspiring lactation peer counselors to serve their communities with confidence, cultural humility, and heart.  

Together, we will explore the power of culturally rooted lactation support. This course looks to prepare you to stand beside families—especially nuestra comunidad—with knowledge, compassion, and language that honors their experiences. 

Learn more about the CLS program and register here  

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