USBC Technical Assistance Series
As part of our efforts to provide training, technical assistance, and capacity building support for our network of state, territorial, local, tribal, and cultural (STLTC) breastfeeding coalitions, the USBC is hosting a series of 7 technical assistance sessions between April and July 2021 to help strengthen every coalition’s ability to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Upcoming TA Sessions
We hope to have more sessions in the future. For now, please review the recordings below!
Past TA Sessions
How Coalitions Grow and Evolve
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STLTC breastfeeding coalitions serve as powerful vehicles for achieving policy, systems, and environmental changes in the lactation landscape. To achieve the vision of thriving families and communities, coalitions must be prepared to grow and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the communities they serve. Join coalition building experts Elsa Quintana, Linda Kopecky, and Pa Shasky on Thursday, April 22 from 2:30-4:30 PM ET for a workshop on growing and evolving as a coalition. At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify the indicators of a static coalition.
- Recognize the basic elements of how coalitions grow and evolve.
- List resources to help your coalition grow and evolve.
Trauma and Breastfeeding
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Breastfeeding is an incredibly personal experience, and, as such, many factors can influence an individual’s choice to initiate, continue or end their breastfeeding journey. Trauma, whether historical or personal, can be a key indicator in breastfeeding outcomes. In this era of racial reckoning and pandemic-related isolation, how can coalitions support communities that have experienced trauma in achieving their breastfeeding goals? Join experts Candi Cornelius, Jacob Davis, Linda Kopecky, and Stephanne Rupnicki on Thursday, April 29 from 1:30-3:30PM ET in this focused conversation on personal and historical trauma and the tools your coalition might need to create trauma-informed systems. At the end of this session, the participants will be able to:
- Describe the relationship between personal and historical trauma and chest/breastfeeding practices and outcomes.
- Identify ways to find resources for coalitions to launch conversations and learning opportunities about the role of trauma in the chest/breastfeeding journey.
- Apply knowledge and best practices within coalitions and partnerships to develop trauma-informed operational systems.
Building Inclusive Communication Strategies
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A well-developed external communication strategy is a key milestone for coalition development. Well-developed external communications go beyond marketing and serve as a true tool to gaining and maintaining public support for a coalition’s mission. Unfortunately, coalitions, like many other small nonprofits, can sometimes experience challenges such as lack of funding or limited resources, which can lead to communications falling to the bottom of the priority list. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Join subject experts, To-Wen Tseng, Carmen Cabrer, and Linda Kopecky, as they take a deeper dive through appreciative inquiry to discuss different communication approaches, the need to explore new technology, and the importance of incorporating inclusive language and imagery in a coalition’s communications. At the end of this session participants will be able to:
- Recognize your coalition’s different stakeholders.
- Identify communication approaches for your coalition’s stakeholders.
- Identify 1 way your coalition can adopt new technology and platforms.
- List 2 ways to incorporate inclusive language and imagery based on diversity, equity and inclusion principles.
Quick Ideas for Busy Coalitions
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Starting a coalition can be challenging. Once a coalition is off the ground running, how do you keep the momentum going? Coalition members are often volunteering and can easily get overwhelmed with different projects and commitments. Sometimes you just need a bank of ideas for meetings or projects to move forward. Join coalition-building experts, Candi Cornelius, Elsa Quintana, and Linda Kopecky, as they facilitate a roundtable discussion for quick ideas for coalitions. At the end of this session participants will be able to:
- Identify coalition planning methods.
- Identify tools and resources for planning.
- List tips and ideas for creative community partnerships
- Describe how to incorporate elements and learnings from all cultures and communities
Transforming the Leadership Table
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Organizational culture is defined as the shared values, attitudes, and practices that characterize an organization. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a transformational journey, and it is imperative that coalition leadership tables be willing to evaluate their coalition’s current culture and identify ways to align it with DEI values. Join subject experts Jacqueline Lambert, Carmen Cabrer, Jada Wright Nichols, and Linda Kopecky in this workshop as they break down the components of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and discuss different strategies your coalition can use to achieve its DEI goals.
Objectives
- Describe Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a sequential arc.
- Discuss ways to embed trust and respect as a foundation of your coalition’s DEI journey
- Identify tools and resources for assessing your coalition.
How to Be a Better Partner
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Collaborative partnerships are key in achieving a coalition’s mission and goals. By collaborating with other organizations, coalitions can gain access to and can leverage resources that enable them to do more than they can do on their own. To effectively harness the power that collaboration can bring, coalition leaders and members must move beyond business strategy and transform attitudes and behaviors. Join subject experts, To-Wen Tseng, Pa Shasky, Jada Metcalf, and Linda Kopecky, as they take a deeper dive through appreciative inquiry to discuss ideas for building different types of partnerships and relationship-building strategies. Please note that this session is meant to be interactive, active participation at the live event is encouraged for increased learning.
Objectives
- Identify tools and strategies for communicating about your coalition’s mission and activities
- Discuss ways to identify non-traditional partners and shared missions
- Recognize relationship building as a foundation and outcome for collaboration
All about Advocacy
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Advocacy can have a powerful impact on the policies that surround lactating families. Breastfeeding coalitions have an important role to play in advocacy efforts on the local, state, or national level but getting involved can seem overwhelming or daunting. Join subject experts Jada Wright Nichols, Jacquelyn Lambert, Jada Metcalf, Stephanne Rupnicki, and Linda Kopecky, as they describe different types of advocacy, provide insights on how to get involved, and share ideas for connecting with policymakers at every level. Please note this workshop is meant to be interactive, active participation at the live event is encouraged for increased learning.
Objectives
- Describe the different types of advocacies that coalitions can engage in.
- Describe the difference between “little p” and “big p”
- Relate the power that storytelling plays in shifting policy