Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire -- Call for Committee Members & more

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • Call for Applications: Join a USBC Committee
  • National Breastfeeding Month T-Shirts Now Available in Spanish! 
  • Take Action with the USBC: Support the Air PUMP Act     
• Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month
• National News
  • FNS Report on Promoting Nutrition Security
  • ASPHN Primer on Food and Nutrition Security Terms
  • CDC Webinar on Breastfeeding Monitoring, Promotion and Support
  • Resource for Governors on Tackling the Maternal and Infant Health Crisis
  • Scorecard on Federal Unpaid and Underpaid Care Policies
  • Report on U.S. Maternity Care Access
  • Resource on State Paid Family and Medical Leave Laws
  • Breastfeeding Support Resource for Lactation Professionals
  • Modification Notice on TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration
• State & Community News
  • CHEER Mississippi WINS Employer Toolkit Released
  • EPIC Webinar on Supporting Breastfeeding Parents in the Workplace in Georgia
• Funding Opportunities
• News & Views

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

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USBC Updates

Call for Applications: Join a USBC Committee

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is now accepting applications for Committee Service. The USBC is seeking to fill up to fifteen openings across six committees. Volunteers provide critical recommendations to the USBC Board of Directors regarding membership, finances, operationalizing equity, and beyond. We hope you'll join us! 

The following committees are open to all interested individuals:

• Conference Program Committee (2 positions)
• CRASH Committee (3 positions)

The following committees are open to USBC member organization representatives:

• Fabulous Fundraising Committee (5 positions)
• Finance & Audit Committee (1 to 2 positions)
• Membership Engagement Committee (1 position)
• Nominating Committee (1 to 2 positions)

Duties vary by committee. Visit the USBC Committee webpage to learn about the work of each group.

National Breastfeeding Month T-Shirts Now Available in Spanish

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to announce that the official This is Our Why National Breastfeeding Month t-shirts are now available featuring our Spanish Por Esto Estamos Aqui logo! We invite you to shop our Spanish National Breastfeeding Month 2023 Bonfire store to snag your own limited-edition t-shirt. Share with the world the many reasons why the support and protection of breastfeeding and human milk feeding are your why! Thank you to Olivia Millan for her hard work translating this design.

Take Action with the USBC: Support the Air PUMP Act

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee launched a new action tool titled, "Support the Air PUMP Act." In 2022, the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act was signed into law. This landmark legislation significantly closed a gap in federal legislation that left nearly 9 million women of childbearing age without the right to time and space to pump during the workday. Unfortunately, flight attendants and pilots are still left out of these important protections. The Air PUMP Act would close this gap so that every working mom has the opportunity to breastfeed their baby. Take action with us today to urge your members of Congress to extend workplace protections to flight attendants and pilots.

Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month

It is Indigenous Milk Medicine Week and week 2 of National Breastfeeding Month! We invite you to join us as we take the time for action, education, and celebration of our collective efforts. Share your organization's plans with us so we can amplify your work in the Weekly Wire and on social media and make a donation to help support critical advocacy efforts. While the Weekly Wire generally does not include paid events, events occurring during National Breastfeeding Month are the exception to this rule. Highlights from the field include:

• CBC: In celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week, the Northern Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition and the Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition are hosting an interactive workshop titled, "Everyone Wants to Hold the Baby, Who Will Hold the Mother?" on Wednesday, August 30, at 2 p.m. ET. The webinar will provide information on the universal needs of all mothers and birthing people, why maternal mental health is a public health imperative, and how to recognize the continuum of perinatal mood disorders and how they affect the perinatal family.
• CDPH: The California Department of Public Health, Women, Infants and Children Division (CDPH/WIC) released the 2023 National Breastfeeding Month communications toolkit to help individuals and organizations amplify the importance of lactation and human milk feeding. The toolkit includes an electronic newsletter, six social media posts in English and Spanish, and two new videos that can help families learn more about practical tips and WIC breastfeeding support services. CDPH/WIC has also expanded the Breastfeeding Section on the MyFamily website. The updated section is a more robust and engaging digital resource for pregnant and postpartum individuals that showcases WIC breastfeeding support services, expert guidance, and links to WIC program partner websites and materials.
• COBA: The Coalition for Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates is hosting a webinar titled "A Pediatrician's Advice on Your Breastfeeding Journey" on Friday, August 11, at 12:30 p.m. ET.  The webinar is for both parents and providers to get tools and tips for successful breastfeeding.
• DOL: The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division launched “Power to Pump,” a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of protections for millions of additional nursing workers to express milk. As part of the campaign, DOL released the pump at work employee rights card and pump at work door hanger. Media highlights include:
  • DOL: "Expanding Protections for Millions of Workers to Pump at Work"
  • HCAmag: "'Power to Pump': DOL launches information campaign on workplace supports"
• IMMW: The Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective released the Indigenous Milk Medicine Week promotional toolkit. The toolkit includes a folder of shareable graphics and suggested posts to help spread the word and reach more people.
•  MSBC: The Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition (MSBC) is seeking artwork submissions during National Breastfeeding Month that demonstrate why you care about breast/chestfeeding. Submissions can include photographs, poetry, drawings, paintings, graphic design, etc. The submissions will be posted on the MSBC website and social media platforms to help shine a light on why the work and conversations about babies, families, and feeding are so important within the Maine community.
• WHO: The World Health Organization published a World Breastfeeding Week webpage that hosts WBW campaign assets including sharable key messages and social media graphics that are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. 

Local Events

• BirthMatters: BirthMatters is hosting a Big Latch On event on Friday, August 25, at 4:30 p.m. ET at the Northside Harvest Park in Spartanburg, SC. RSVP for the event. 
•  CBC: In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month, the California Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a social media photo contest. To enter the photo contest, submit a photo by Wednesday, August 23, showing what breastfeeding, pumping, or lactation accommodation looks like in your California workplace on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, or Twitter/X. Tag the California Breastfeeding Coalition in your photo, and in the caption, use the hashtag #CDCPhotoContest, the industry you are in, and how workplace lactation accommodation affects or has affected your breastfeeding journey.
• DIW-MN: The Division of Indian Work is hosting a series of local events in celebration of Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, including a Breast Milk Soap Making event on Friday, August 11, and a Milk Walk/Run on Sunday, August 13. 
• SCBC: The Shelby County Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting the 2023 WBW Baby BreastFest on Saturday, August 12, from 9 - 11 a.m. PT at the Baptist Health Sciences University. This free family event celebrates National Breastfeeding Month with information, activities, and education provided by over 30 vendors. Classes and demonstrations for infant CPR, breastfeeding, parenting, and more will be offered alongside music and craft activities for children.
• SOMI: Supporting Our Mothers Initiative is hosting a National Breastfeeding Awareness Day event on Saturday, August 12, at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, NY. This free event will include a breastfeeding photo shoot, pregnancy parade, resource fair, diaper giveaway, and more.  
• Uzazi Village: In celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week, Uzazi Village is hosting a Village Family Photoshoot on Saturday, August 26, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT. This annual photoshoot event provides free visuals aimed to capture family photos through the lens of Uzazi Village's experienced photographers. 

Breastfeeding Month Proclamations

• California: Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement on National Breastfeeding Month, urging leaders across the state, health systems, workplaces, and communities to share the responsibility of supporting breastfeeding to help families thrive physically, mentally, and economically. 
• Kentucky: Governor Andy Beshear issued a proclamation declaring August 2023 as Breastfeeding Month.
• Michigan: Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring August 2023 as Breastfeeding Month in Michigan.
• Nebraska: Governor Jim Pillen issued a proclamation assigning August as Nebraska Breastfeeding Month.
• Illinois: Governor J.B. Pritzker issued several proclamations in recognition of National Breastfeeding Month:
  • Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
  • Black Breastfeeding Week 
  • Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
  • National Breastfeeding Month
• Kansas: Governor Laura Kelly* issued a proclamation declaring August 2023 Kansas Breastfeeding Month. *Correction to name reported in last week's edition of the Weekly Wire.
• Pennsylvania: Governor Josh Shapiro issued a proclamation declaring August 2023 as Breastfeeding Month in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Skagit County: The Skagit Board of County Commissioners signed a proclamation officially designating August as Breastfeeding Month in Skagit County, Washington.
• Vermont: Governor Phil Scott issued a proclamation declaring August as Breastfeeding Promotion Month in Vermont.
• Wisconsin: Governor Tony Evers issued proclamations celebrating August as National Breastfeeding Month in Wisconsin and celebrating Indigenous Milk Medicine Week, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week, and Black Breastfeeding Week.

NBM News & Views

• HHS: "August National Health Observances: Breastfeeding, Immunizations, and Children’s Eye Health and Safety"
•  Lamaze International: "Balancing Breast/Chestfeeding and Work: Empowering New Parents for a Seamless Transition"
•  NMBTF: "Reclamation Begins with Skin to Skin"
• WWLP: "Springfield to recognize National Breastfeeding Month"

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National News

 FNS Report on Promoting Nutrition Security

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service published a new report titled, "Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service." The report highlights breastfeeding support in the context of the WIC program, as one of the most powerful, evidence-based public health interventions available. 

 ASPHN Primer on Food and Nutrition Security Terms

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists published the Food and Nutrition Security Primer. This resource is designed to deepen understanding of the rapidly changing and increasing number of food and nutrition security terms. It contains background information with an emphasis on why terminology matters. There is also a table with terms and definitions used by national food, nutrition, and health programs and organizations, including first food desert and first food justice.

 CDC Webinar on Breastfeeding Monitoring, Promotion, and Support

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) is hosting a webinar titled, "From Hospital to Community: Monitoring, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding" on Thursday, August 31, at 2 p.m. ET. This session is part of the DNPAO Seminar Series which is designed to showcase the latest research, guidelines, and successes to partners, public health practitioners, and other professionals interested in nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. The discussion will cover how communities, workplaces, childcare agencies, hospitals, health care providers, lactation support providers, and related social support service providers can make breastfeeding attainable and easier.

Resource for Governors on Tackling the Maternal and Infant Health Crisis

The National Governors Association published a report titled, "Tackling The Maternal And Infant Health Crisis: A Governor’s Playbook." This resource is a guide designed to make transformational change in a system that has historically failed mothers and babies, especially Black, Hispanic and American Indian and Alaskan Native mothers and babies. The report includes recommendations that would improve breastfeeding rates and reduce disparities, including funding state Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs); reimbursing doula care in Medicaid and increasing access to doulas; and ensuring that state laws increase breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates and decrease disparities among breastfeeding mothers.

Scorecard on Federal Unpaid and Underpaid Care Policies

Oxfam published a report titled, "US Care Policy Scorecard: Assessing federal unpaid and underpaid care policies in the US." The scorecard seeks to assess the U.S. care policy environment at the federal level by looking at 30 federal policy indicators related to both unpaid care and underpaid care work, including breastfeeding accommodaitons at work and paid family and medical leave. The report includes examples of states that have passed care policies in light of absent or weak federal policies, as well as policy recommendations to strengthen the care policy environment in the US.

Report on U.S. Maternity Care Access

March of Dimes published a report titled, "Where You Live Matters: Maternity Care Deserts and the Crisis of Access and Equity." The report shows more than 5.6 million women live in counties with no or limited access to maternity care services. One of the largest analyses on maternity care access, the report offers insight into the factors that impact pregnancies in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Read the news release.

Resource on State Paid Family and Medical Leave Laws

A Better Balance published an updated version of the "Comparative Chart of Paid Family and Medical Leave Laws in the United States." Thirteen states and the District of Colombia have paid family and medical leave laws. The document provides an overview of these laws, including newly passed laws in Maine and Minnesota.   

Breastfeeding Support Resource for Lactation Professionals

First Droplets released "ABCs for Professionals," a training resource for lactation professionals, doctors, nurses, midwives, and doulas. The series of free videos provide information on current science and strategies to help new mothers. 

Modification Notice on TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration

The Department of Defense issued a notice of demonstration modifications titled "Modifications to the Overseas Implementation of the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration." The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs is notifying the public that the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD) will be modified for implementation to the TRICARE Overseas Program, and that due to current financial constraints, all or part of the evaluation of the CBSD may be conducted by internal DoD analytics staff.

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State & Community News

 CHEER Mississippi WINS Employer Toolkit Released

The Center for Health Equity, Education & Research (CHEER) released the Mississippi WINS Employer Toolkit. The resource provides simple, practical ideas that employers can use to better support breastfeeding families and work with businesses to accommodate breastfeeding employees. It includes an employer guide, tip sheets tailored to each industry, and resources for pregnant and breastfeeding employees and breastfeeding advocates. 

EPIC Webinar on Supporting Breastfeeding Parents in the Workplace in Georgia

Educating Physicians and Practices in their Communities (EPIC) is hosting a webinar titled, "Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents" on Wednesday, August 23, at 12:30 p.m. ET. This informative webinar will focus on supporting working parents in their breastfeeding journey and will discuss the following: federal and Georgia state laws protecting lactating workers and strategies for creating a supportive environment, the role of healthcare institutions in creating a culture of support for lactating workers, and how lack of workplace support is a barrier to parents meeting their own breastfeeding goals.

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Funding Opportunities

 Healthy Children Project: "2023 Accessing the Milky Way Scholarship Application." Application deadline: Tuesday, August 15.

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News & Views

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: "Hundreds of Thousands of Young Children and Postpartum Adults Would Be Turned Away from WIC under House and Senate Funding Levels"

 Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition: "USBC Conference Attendee's Highlights"

NBC News: "Nursing pillows are associated with more than 160 infant deaths, NBC News investigation finds"

The Sacramento Bee: "How California law protects pregnant and postpartum employees. These are your rights"