Weekly Wire: April 1, 2022
The Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire e-Newsletter is a compendium of news, actions, and resources considered to be of interest or relevance to the breastfeeding field. The newsletter aims to support the USBC mission "To drive collaborative efforts for policy and practices that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States." Included items are submitted for consideration or identified by the USBC e-news team via extensive online review. Whenever possible, the newsletter utilizes language directly from the primary source of an item without additional analysis or edits. In some cases, the USBC offers additional perspectives through the "USBC Insights," media and partner highlights, and the "News & Views" section. Inclusion of an item in the e-newsletter does not imply endorsement or support by the USBC of an item or organization, unless specifically noted.
EIn this Issue:
- USBC Updates
- Upcoming Deadline: DEMAND Act Organizational Sign On Letter
- Technical Assistance Session on Attaining and Maintaining Financial Sustainability
- USBC Conference Corner: Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities Available
- Special Section on the President's FY23 Budget
- International News
- Global Guidelines to Support Newborns and Postpartum Women, summarized from WHO
- National News
- mPINC Survey to Launch Soon, summarized from CDC
- Community Doula Week, summarized from HealthConnect One/BirthMatters
- Public Meeting of U.S. Codex Office, summarized from USDA
- Resident and Training Program Parental Leave Statement, summarized from AAP
- Request for Scientific Information Submissions on Postpartum Home Blood Pressure Monitoring, summarized from AHRQ
- DGA Nutrition Guidance Resources in Spanish, summarized from ODPHP
- Resolution Recognizing Native Maternal Health Crisis in U.S., summarized from Congress
- Maternal Health Tracker Updated, summarized from AMCHP
- Report on Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace, summarized from BPC
- State and Community News
- Data Snapshots from Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, summarized from CDPH
- Equity Lens
- Webinar on Birth Justice Documentary, summarized from AMCHP
- News & Views
denotes a USBC member organization news item 
denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item
USBC Updates
Upcoming Deadline: DEMAND Act Organizational Sign On Letter
The USBC-affiliated COVID-19 Infant and Young Child Feeding Constellation launched an organizational sign-on letter supporting the DEMAND Act of 2022 (Delivering Essentials to Mothers Amid Natural Disasters Act). The DEMAND Act would ensure that lactation support services and supplies are eligible expenses for emergency assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Critical Needs Assistance program. The letter will be delivered to members of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Organizations, businesses, and coalitions are urged to sign on in support of this critical bill by Monday, April 4, to be included in the initial delivery.
Technical Assistance Session on Attaining and Maintaining Financial Sustainability
The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is hosting a technical assistance session on "Attaining and Maintaining Financial Sustainability" on Tuesday, April 19, at 2 p.m. ET. The session is part of the Non-Profit Management Technical Assistance Series hosted in collaboration with leaders from the USBC Community. Session facilitators Carmen Cabrer and Linda Kopecky will share tips and answer questions on attaining and maintaining financial sustainability, an important indicator of a healthy nonprofit. Please include initial questions on the topic at the time of registration and send any additional questions to the training and technical assistance team at: TTA@usbreastfeeding.org.
USBC Conference Corner: Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities Available
The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to announce that the application to exhibit and sponsor at the June National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening (NBCC) is now available online. There are three networking sponsorship opportunities available which include a five minute talk to all attendees, and this year exhibitors have the option of selecting an all-access pass, or solely staffing their online booth (and not attending sessions). Additionally, the USBC is thrilled to offer a BIPOC exhibit discount this year. BIPOC-led/owned or BIPOC-serving organizations that are not a USBC member organization are invited to exhibit for just $50.
We hope to have a lively virtual exhibit hall filled with both new and familiar organizations and brands! Questions? Reach out to conference@usbreastfeeding.org
Additional conference news and reminders: learn more about the early bird registration rate (accessible until April 30) and conference awards (application deadline this Sunday, April 3).
Special Section on the President's FY23 Budget
Each year funding is allocated to a variety of federally funded programs that include breastfeeding support through the federal appropriations process. Developing a federal budget begins with the President submitting a budget plan which reflects the vision, values, and priorities of the Administration and sets the stage for the federal budget negotiation process. Congress then develops its budget plan, called the budget resolution, to set a total amount for spending in the year ahead. The budget total is sent to the House and Senate appropriations committees, where it is divided among 12 subcommittees each charged with developing an appropriations bill.
The Office of Management and Budget has released the "Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2023." The report contains the Budget Message of the President for Fiscal Year 2023, information on the President's priorities, and summary tables. View the OMB President's Budget and Budget Appendix webpages for additional information.
- Agency Summary Reports:
- AHRQ: "Fiscal Year 2023 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees"
- HHS: "HHS FY 2023 Budget in Brief"
- CDC: "FY 2023 Congressional Justification"
- CMS: "Fiscal Year 2023 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees"
- DOL: "FY 2023 Budget"
- FDA: "FDA Fiscal Year 2023 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees"
- FNS: "2023 USDA Explanatory Notes –Food and Nutrition Service"
- HRSA: "FY 2023 Congressional Budget Justification"
- NIH: "NIH Congressional Justification"
- SAMHSA: "Fiscal Year 2023 Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees"
- USDA: "Fiscal Year 2023"
- WHD: "FY 2023 Congressional Budget Justification Wage and Hour Division"
- ASTHO: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials issued a statement titled "ASTHO Supports President Biden's 2023 Budget, Citing Increased Funding for Public Health Infrastructure and More." The statement celebrates the budget's prioritization on building the public health infrastructure and workforce.
- AMCHP: The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs released a statement titled "President's Budget Proposes $206M Increase to Title V MCH Block Grant." The budget proposes $953.7 million for the MCH Block Grant in FY23, which would be a $206 million increase compared to the final FY22 funding level of $747.7 million. Breastfeeding is included in one of the MCH Block Grant National Performance Measures.
- CLASP: The Center for Law and Social Policy issued a statement titled "Biden's Budget Outlines Key Investments for Economic Growth, Equity." The statement celebrates the inclusion of paid family and medical leave in the President's budget.
- NIHB: The National Indian Health Board released a statement titled "President Biden's FY 23 Budget Demonstrates that the President Listens to Tribes and Keeps His Word on American Indian and Alaska Native Health: Now the Real Work Begins – Convincing Congress to Fund It." The proposed budget includes $9.3 billion in funding for Indian Health Services in FY 2023, a $2.5 billion or 37% increase above the FY 2022 level. NIHB celebrates this as an unprecedented commitment to and investment into American Indian, Alaska Native health and public health systems and people.
- NWA: The National WIC Association published a statement titled "White House Budget Prioritizes WIC's Role in Building Nutrition Security." The proposed budget includes $6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and $90 million for the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program.
International News
Global Guidelines to Support Newborns and Postpartum Women, summarized from WHO
The World Health Organization released "WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience." The publication includes 60 recommendations to help shape a positive postnatal experience, including guidelines for breastfeeding counseling to aid attachment and positioning as breastfeeding is established. Read the press release.
National News
mPINC Survey to Launch Soon, summarized from CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2022 mPINC survey will launch soon. CDC’s national survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) measures maternity care practices and policies and includes questions about infant nutrition. The questions focus on specific parts of hospital maternity care that affect how babies are fed, such as breastfeeding, using formula to feed healthy newborns, and feeding routines.
Doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators can use mPINC data to improve care practices and policies to better support their maternity patients. The CDC sends a report to every participating hospital showing specific changes they can make to support mothers and families. State health departments and others can use mPINC data to work together with partner agencies, organizations, policymakers, and health professionals to improve evidence-based maternity care practices and policies at hospitals in their state.
Approximately every two years the CDC invites survey participation from all hospitals with maternity services in the United States and territories. When the 2022 survey launches, Battelle, the contractor implementing the mPINC survey on behalf of CDC, will contact hospital maternity staff to determine eligibility. All are invited to share this information with partners who may wish to reach out to hospitals in their communities to encourage participation in the mPINC survey. Visit the Hospital FAQs webpage or email mPINC@cdc.gov with any questions.
Community Doula Week, summarized from HealthConnect One/BirthMatters
HealthConnect One and BirthMatters partnered to host the first-ever Community Doula Week. The campaign highlights the unique and life-saving support community doulas offer birthing people and their families. This campaign was dreamed up by Eboni Williams, a BirthMatters community-based doula serving her community in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Follow along at #CDW2022.
Public Meeting of U.S. Codex Office, summarized from USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Codex Office, announced that it is holding a public meeting on Tuesday, April 19. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States positions to be discussed at the 15th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in May. Attendees must register to attend the online meeting.
Resident and Training Program Parental Leave Statement, summarized from AAP
The American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement titled "Parental Leave for Residents and Pediatric Training Programs." The statement aims to outline the challenges of parental leave policies in training programs and to offer recommendations to protect trainees and their families. It mentions increased initiation and duration of breastfeeding as a beneficial result of paid leave.
Request for Scientific Information Submissions on Postpartum Home Blood Pressure Monitoring, summarized from AHRQ
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a "Supplemental Evidence and Data Request on Postpartum Home Blood Pressure Monitoring, Postpartum Treatment of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, and Peripartum Magnesium Sulfate Regimens for Preeclampsia With Severe Features." Submissions of completed or ongoing studies must be submitted to AHRQ on or before Thursday, April 28.
DGA Nutrition Guidance Resources in Spanish, summarized from ODPHP
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion added Spanish translations of consumer-friendly handouts based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 to its Toolkit for Professionals. The handouts take a life stage approach and reflect the science-based nutrition guidance in the current edition of the Dietary Guidelines. Additions to the toolkit include "Crea una rutina saludable de alimentación cuando estés embarazada o amamantando" and "Establece una rutina de alimentación saludable para tu bebé (desde el nacimiento hasta los 2 años)."
Resolution Recognizing Native Maternal Health Crisis in U.S., summarized from Congress
Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-2), along with nine original cosponsors, introduced H.Res 846 "Recognizing the maternal health crisis among indigenous women in the United States, which includes American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women, recognizing the importance of reducing mortality and morbidity among indigenous women, and calling for urgent Federal funding changes to ensure comprehensive, high-quality, and culturally competent maternal health and family planning services are available." The resolution also calls upon the Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Services, and the Health Resources and Services Administration to prioritize policy for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women to reduce long-standing and well-known barriers to accessing culturally competent maternal health and comprehensive family planning services.
Maternal Health Tracker Updated, summarized from AMCHP
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs updated the "Maternal Health Bill Tracker." The tracker now shows that the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act and the Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services Act have been passed into law as part of the appropriations process.
Report on Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace, summarized from BPC
The Bipartisan Policy Center released the results of a survey on the prevalence of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. The survey found that pregnancy discrimination is common across race, incomes, and other demographics, causing fear about informing employers about a pregnancy and leading many pregnant workers to consider a career change. These trends were found to be more common among younger women and those who are currently working.
State and Community News
Data Snapshots from Maternal and Infant Health Assessment, summarized from CDPH
The California Department of Public Health published reports from the Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA.) The MIHA is an annual, statewide-representative survey of women with a recent live birth in California. The survey collects self-reported information about maternal and infant experiences and about maternal attitudes and behaviors before, during and shortly after pregnancy, including infant sleep and breastfeeding.
Equity Lens
Webinar on Birth Justice Documentary, summarized from AMCHP
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs is hosting a webinar titled "A Journey to Birth Justice: A panel discussion with the filmmakers of AFTERSHOCK" on Thursday, April 14, at 2 p.m. ET. Filmmakers Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee and maternal health advocate Shawnee Benton-Gibson will discuss the movement for birth justice. Attendees can expect to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the U.S. by learning from the lived experiences of Black communities living in memory of those who have passed from maternal mortality.
News & Views
GABC/GAAAP joint press release: "Breastfeeding Advocates Recognize Georgia Pediatricians"
IWPR blog post: "A Historic Expansion in Paid Family and Medical Leave in the Nation's Capital"
MPR News: "Walz, lawmakers debate extent of paid leave benefit"
Voices for Healthy Kids: "Women's History Month and the Working Mother"
