Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - 2026 mPINC Survey Launched, Indigenous Milk Medicine Week Theme, & 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 - 2026 mPINC Survey Launched, Indigenous Milk Medicine Week Theme, & More

4/24/2026

Weekly Wire: April 24, 2026

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.

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- USBC Conference 2026: Hotel Registration Deadline Approaching!
- USBC Supports...
National News
- 2026 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey Launched
- Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: Save the Date & Theme Announced
State & Community News
- Alaska Bill Introduced to Establish Paid Parental Leave Program
- Virginia Bill Requiring Medicaid Coverage of Community Doula Services Signed Into Law
Action Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views

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

USBC Updates

USBC Conference 2026: Hotel Registration Deadline Approaching!

The 2026 National Breastfeeding Conference is only six weeks away! There’s still time to join us in Bethesda, Maryland from June 3-5, 2026, for an opportunity to learn, connect, and act with other changemakers in the First Food Field. Register today!

This is a reminder that May 12 is the final date to book your stay at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda for this year’s conference. After that date, the group room rate will expire, and room availability is subject to hotel capacity. We sincerely hope that you will join us this year!

USBC Supports...

National Partnership for Women & Families, ACLU Women’s Rights Project, and WorkLife Law public comment opposing the Department of Labor’s proposed rulemaking on independent contractor classification

National News

2026 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey Launched

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the 2026 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) national survey. The mPINC survey assesses maternity care practices in all hospitals across U.S. states and territories that provide maternity care services. It also provides feedback to encourage hospitals to improve breastfeeding support. The CDC's contractor, Abt Global, is now beginning survey administration by emailing or calling each hospital that participated in the previous mPINC survey. Visit the CDC's mPINC webpage to learn more about survey questions and participation.

Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: Save the Date & Theme Announced

The Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective announced that the 2026 Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (IMMW) theme will be We Keep the Fires Lit — Rising Through Milk Medicine. In this year’s theme, fire represents the responsibility to tend what sustains life - Indigenous knowledge, families, and future generations. Even amid hardship and shifting challenges, Indigenous communities endure through brilliance, adaptation, and relationship. First foods carry memory and medicine forward, nourishing not only bodies and babies, but the continuity of Indigenous communities. The eighth annual IMMW will take place during National Breastfeeding Month, from Saturday, August 8, through Friday, August 14.

State & Community News

Alaska Bill Introduced to Establish Paid Parental Leave Program

Alaska Representative Hall introduced HB193. The bill would establish a paid parental leave program funded through a 0.15 percent employee payroll contribution. Eligible employees would receive weekly benefits for up to 26 weeks of leave, to be taken within 12 months of birth, with self-employed individuals able to opt into coverage.

Virginia Bill Requiring Medicaid Coverage of Community Doula Services Signed Into Law

Virginia Governor Spanberger signed HB838 into law. The new law mandates Medicaid coverage of community doula services, which specifically includes breastfeeding support, among other things.

Action Opportunities

Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs: "Maternal & Child Health Policy Innovation Program (MCH PIP): Ideation to Action (I2A) Policy Learning Collaborative. Cohort 2 Application." Application deadline: Thursday, April 30.

Gaza Infant Nutrition Alliance:

"GINA Volunteer Lactation Advisor Application Form." Application deadline: n/a.
"GINA Volunteer Arabic Language Interpreter/Peer Supporter Application Form." Application deadline: n/a.

Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective: "Take Action: Submit a Letter of Support for AZ HB 2051." Action deadline: May 2026.

National Partnership for Women & Families, ACLU Women’s Rights Project, and WorkLife Law: "Sign-on to Oppose the DOL Independent Contractor Rule." Action deadline: Monday, April 27.