Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Paid Leave Public Comment Opportunity and more

The USBC e-Newsletter, Staying Abreast, is published in a weekly news brief format, called the Weekly Wire (WW). Past issues are archived below.

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Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Paid Leave Public Comment Opportunity and more

1/26/2024

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Template Comment to Support Responses to Request for Information on Paid Leave
- USBC Submits President's Budget Request to the OMB
- Shop the USBC Store to Fill Your Cup With a Little Love this Valentine's Day
- USBC is Hiring! Apply to Join the USBC Team
International News
- 2023 Global Breastfeeding Scorecard from UNICEF
- Biennial Report from WHO on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition
- USAID Brief on Strengthening Nutrition Content in Pre-Service Training
National News
- NACCHO Infant and Young Toddlers Feeding Resource Highlighting Black & Caribbean Foods
- Ready, Set, Baby Resource Guide Available in Vietnamese
- Maternal and Child Health Legislation Database
- 2024 Guide to Workplace Leave Laws
State & Community News
- Pennsylvania Bill Signed Into Law Expands Medicaid Coverage of Donor Milk
- New Jersey Bill Introduced to Require Hospitals to Maintain Baby-Friendly Designation
- Utah Bill Introduced to Establish Grant Program for Education Agencies that Provide Paid Parental Leave
- West Virginia Bill Introduced to Provide Paid Family Leave to County Boards of Education
Action Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

denotes a USBC member organization news item denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item

USBC Updates

Template Comment to Support Responses to Request for Information on Paid Leave

A bipartisan, bicameral Congressional working group released a Request for Information (RFI) on paid leave. Paid Leave for All developed a template comment to help the field respond to this important public comment opportunity, and the USBC team, with input from the Workplace Support Constellation, expanded on this resource to develop a comment template specifically focused on breastfeeding. Organizations are encouraged to download and adapt the template to submit a response (also attached to this email). The information gathered will inform the ongoing bipartisan efforts in the House and Senate to devise a policy framework for expanding access to paid leave. Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

USBC Submits President's Budget Request to the OMB

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee submitted a budget request to the Office on Management and Budget, urging the White House to prioritize breastfeeding in the Fiscal Year 2025 President's Budget. To ensure that families receive the support that they need to safely feed their babies, the letter calls on the White House to include robust funding for several programs and initiatives in the President's Fiscal Year 2025 budget, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program, Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program, and Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC) program; funding to establish a national paid family and medical leave program; and full funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Amplify the impact of our letter by contacting your representatives using our "Families Need Support: Prioritize Breastfeeding in the President's Budget" action tool.

Shop the USBC Store to Fill Your Cup With a Little Love this Valentine's Day

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to release the latest in our mug series: the limited-edition "Love in Every Drop" mug! Available now and in small-run batches until Thursday, February 29, every purchase helps advance our vision for thriving families and communities. Whether you're sending a gift of gratitude to a loved one, treating yourself, or spreading some joy to others for Valentine's, Galentine's, or just because, the "Love in Every Drop" mug reminds us that our collective passion for the work that we do makes a difference each and every day. Add a donation at the point of sale to make an even bigger impact. Shop the full line of official USBC merchandise, including colorful apparel with the popular "Support is our Love Language" design in the USBC Bonfire store.

USBC is Hiring! Apply to Join the USBC Team

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is seeking applicants for a Senior Development Coordinator. The Senior Development Coordinator will support the development and implementation of the overarching annual development plan and strategies for the organization. This full time staff role will work to maximize engagement among stakeholders in order to extend the USBC impact and sustainability. The USBC is also accepting applications for a Communications Manager and a Membership Engagement Manager through Wednesday, January 31. Visit the Job Opportunities webpage to learn more and apply.

International News

2023 Global Breastfeeding Scorecard from UNICEF

UNICEF released the "2023 Global Breastfeeding Scorecard." The scorecard tracks progress, increases accountability, and documents change as governments take steps to implement policies and programs to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. The 2023 scorecard shows that significant progress is being made, as exclusive breastfeeding rates have increased globally by ten percentage points over the past decade. Progress is happening across different regions where numerous countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania have documented large increases in exclusive breastfeeding with increases of more than ten percentage points in 22 countries since 2017. Implementation of the Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is strongly associated with higher rates of breastfeeding.

Biennial Report from WHO on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition

The World Health Organization (WHO) released the "WHO Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition: Biennial Report." The report describes the progress made in realizing the six targets and five actions of the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition. The report provides information on the status of national measures to give effect to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and progress to develop guidance on regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

USAID Brief on Strengthening Nutrition Content in Pre-Service Training

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) published the "Call to Action for Strengthening Nutrition Content in Pre-Service Training." The brief summarizes consultation discussions that engaged key stakeholders in Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, and the Kyrgyz Republic to better understand the complexity of the challenges and opportunities around strengthening the nutrition components of pre-service training for health workers. The brief includes the opportunities highlighted, the lessons shared, and the recommendations jointly formulated as part of this process. It issues a call to action to all stakeholders to better integrate nutrition into pre-service education and more regularly facilitate curriculum review and updates.

National News

NACCHO Infant and Young Toddlers Feeding Resource Highlighting Black & Caribbean Foods

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) released "Feeding Infants and Young Toddlers Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Highlighting African, Black and Caribbean Heritage Foods." The resource includes culturally appropriate nutrition and feeding information that is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Ready, Set, Baby Resource Guide Available in Vietnamese

The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute "Ready Set Baby Resource Guide" is now available in Vietnamese. This patient booklet offers information on welcoming a new baby, including breastfeeding tips, and is also available in English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Chinese, and Other Languages.

Maternal and Child Health Legislation Database

The National Conference of State Legislatures launched the "Maternal and Child Health Database." The interactive database features up-to-date information about enacted maternal and child health legislation, including breastfeeding, infant mortality, and maternal mortality. The database is searchable by state, topic, keyword, and year.

2024 Guide to Workplace Leave Laws

The Center for American Progress released the 2024 edition of the "Guide to Workplace Leave Laws," explaining the main types of laws that offer Americans rights when they need time off for health or caregiving needs. The four-part series highlights the state of play at the federal, state, and local level on workplace leave laws and rights, including:

State & Community News

Pennsylvania Bill Signed Into Law Expands Medicaid Coverage of Donor Milk

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro signed into law Senate Bill 500, known as Owen's Law. The new law will make donor milk more readily available and accessible to babies across the state by expanding the number of medical conditions that qualify for Medicaid coverage of pasteurized human donor milk; requiring the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Human Services (DHS), to produce a public information campaign on the availability of pasteurized human donor milk; and requiring DHS to create and update guidance about the usage of donor milk. Read the press release.

New Jersey Bill Introduced to Require Hospitals to Maintain Baby-Friendly Designation

New Jersey Senator Timberlake introduced Senate Bill 1108. This bill would require that every hospital in the state that provides inpatient maternity services maintain both a Baby-Friendly Hospital designation issued by Baby-Friendly USA and a Mother-Friendly Hospital designation issued by the Improving Birth Coalition. These requirements would go into effect two years after the bill's passage.

Utah Bill Introduced to Establish Grant Program for Education Agencies that Provide Paid Parental Leave

Utah Representative Ballard introduced the Local Education Agency Employee Paid Leave Act (H.B. 192). The bill would create a grant program for local education agencies (LEA) that have a parental leave policy to offset expenses, including the hiring of a substitute teacher. Qualified programs would have to provide at least three work weeks of paid parental leave and postpartum recovery leave.

West Virginia Bill Introduced to Provide Paid Family Leave to County Boards of Education

West Virginia Representative Hornbuckle introduced House Bill 4513. The bill would provide full-time employees of county boards of education three months of paid leave following the birth of a child or the placement of a child in the home through adoption or foster care. This leave is in addition to any other leave available to the employee.

A Toolkit to Help You Return to Work After Having a Baby

Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition released "A Toolkit to Help You Return to Work After Having a Baby," a resource for employees. The resource includes checklists and guidance on planning your return to work after having a baby including information on your rights in the workplace and how to talk to your employer about your needs.