Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire: Continuity of Care (CoC) in Breastfeeding Support Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary & more

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Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire: Continuity of Care (CoC) in Breastfeeding Support Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary & more

8/25/2023

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Bumps and Pumps Event In Times Square Celebrates National Breastfeeding Month
- Federal Appropriations Update: Senate Committee Includes $9.75M for CDC Breastfeeding Programs
- Donate Your Old Vehicle to the USBC
- Call for Stories: Why Is This Work Important to You?
Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month
National News
- Continuity of Care (CoC) in Breastfeeding Support Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary
- Call for Nominations for Board of Scientific Counselors
- Proposed Regulations on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- PUMP Technical Correction Act Cost Estimate Report
- NICHD Breastfeeding & Safe Sleep Webpage
State & Community News
- Georgia Sample Workplace Lactation Policy
- Know Your Rights Video for Pregnant and Parenting Workers in California
Funding Opportunities
News & Views

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

USBC Updates

Bumps and Pumps Event In Times Square Celebrates National Breastfeeding Month

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, Momsrising, A Better Balance, American Civil Liberties Union, National WIC Association, and the Center for Worklife Law came together in New York City's Times Square on Wednesday, August 23, for the Bumps and Pumps event to celebrate National Breastfeeding Month and highlight new protections for pregnant and postpartum workers now available under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act. The event featured special guest, Representative Carolyn Maloney. This week, USBC and our partners are featuring a dual video billboard advertisement in Times Square spreading the word about these important protections and sharing information about this landmark legislation. It is running on the NASDAQ and Mi5 billboards at 43rd Street and Broadway. If you are in or around NYC, we hope you will stop for a few minutes and snap some pictures to share with us and the world using the #NewRights4Parents hashtag!

Federal Appropriations Update: Senate Committee Includes $9.75M for CDC Breastfeeding Programs

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee updated the Federal Appropriations for Breastfeeding webpage and published a blog titled "FY24 Appropriations: What Recent Senate Bills Mean for Infant Feeding." The webpage traces program funding levels at each step in the federal budget process and the blog details unfunded directives included in the Senate Labor, HHS, and Education, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Interior appropriations bills. The Senate Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bill includes $9.75M for the CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding line item, level funding from the current fiscal year. Individuals can urge legislators to increase this funding with the USBC action tool. Follow the status of each of the 12 spending bills in the Congressional Research Service Appropriations Status Table: FY2024.

Donate Your Old Vehicle to the USBC

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee has partnered with CARS, a non-profit 501(c)(3) that turns old vehicles into cash that directly benefits the USBC. By donating your used or otherwise non-functioning vehicle, boat, plane, trailer, RV, or even farm equipment, you will be contributing essential funding for our continued advocacy efforts. CARS has made the donation process seamless from start to finish with experts who are prepared to handle all the details for you. All you need to do is complete a simple form or make a call. Then you can sit back and embrace the space you are opening up in your driveway, garage, or shed, all while feeling great about your donation! Not only does your donation make it possible to continue advocating for human milk feeding protections, but it may be tax-deductible for you too. Visit the Ways to Give webpage to learn more and get started today!

Call for Stories: Why Is This Work Important to You?

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is seeking stories about your passion for breastfeeding, human milk, and the policies and practices that protect, promote, and support them. Stories are the fuel that keep us working for real change that families need, and stories help us educate lawmakers about policies that can make a difference. Personal stories allow us to keep a pulse on the needs of today's families, and they serve as a powerful tool to inspire action across all sectors. The easy tool invites you, your network, and the families you serve to tell us about your passion for breastfeeding, be it personally, professionally, or politically (meaning, how can policies help?)! We know that breastfeeding and human milk feeding mean unique things to everyone. We are interested in learning about what fuels you!

Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month

It's Black Breastfeeding Week and Week 3 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 USBC 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:

BBW: The Black Breastfeeding Week website features a variety of tools and resources to support this year's celebration.
- Visit the events tracker to view virtual and local events taking place during the week.
- The Black Breastfeeding Week proclamation template aims to increase awareness of Black Breastfeeding Week and can be used by local and state officials.
Birthing the Magic Collaborative: The Birthing the Magic Collaborative is partnering with Chocolate Milk Cafe, Mother Nurturely Maternity, and Black lactation experts to host a series of workshops as part of their Black Breastfeeding Week collection. A few of the events in the collection are highlighted below.
- "What's the Tea: Ask the Breastfeeding Experts." is an interactive workshop being held on Friday, August 25. This virtual workshop is being hosted at 3 different times: 12 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. ET, and 6 p.m. ET. The sessions offer a safe and inclusive space where participants can seek guidance, ask questions, and share experiences tailored to their unique backgrounds and needs.
- "Who All Gonna Be Over There? Your Lactation Support Team" will be held on Monday, August 28, at 8:30 p.m. ET, to guide participants through identifying and building a comprehensive lactation support team.
- "We're Black. We're Proud. And We DO Breastfeed!" will be held on Thursday, August 31, to explore inspiring stories, expert insights, and practical strategies that honor the beauty of Black motherhood and breastfeeding.
LLL USA: La Leche League USA is hosting a National Breastfeeding Month celebration titled, "Live, Love, Latch!" across the country. Live, Love, Latch! events are designed to celebrate breastfeeding and provide an opportunity to educate family, friends, healthcare providers, and other community members about how they can support breastfeeding. Find a local or national Live, Love, Latch! event.

Local Events

AMEWH: A More Excellent Way Health is hosting the 11th Annual Contra Costa Virtual & Drive-Thru African American Community Baby Shower on Saturday, August 26, at 10 a.m. PT at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond, CA. The event celebrates expectant families in the community and offers free food, education, and prizes.
BWW: Black Women for Wellness and Charles Drew University Black Maternal Health Center for Excellence are hosting a Black Breastfeeding Week Celebration on Saturday, August 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA. The gathering celebrates Black Mamas, shares community resources, hosts a lactation workshop featuring: tips for partner support, and includes giveaways, games, and more!
MBN: Merced Breastfeeding Network is hosting a Breastfeeding Graduation Family Resource Fair on Saturday, August 26, at 11 a.m. PT at the MOAT at Applegate Park in Merced, CA. Join to learn about the different prenatal, postpartum, and other resources available to families in Merced County and to enjoy games for children, free items, music, and more.
SBC: The Sacramento Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting a webinar titled, "How Doulas Impact Successful Breastfeeding in Communities of Color" on Thursday, August 31, at 11:30 a.m. PT. This session will discuss the unique benefits that pregnant people gain from doulas' prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum support, which enhances the breastfeeding care provided by hospital postpartum nurses, midwives, and lactation consultants.
VVN: Vital Village Network is hosting the 2023 Black Breastfeeding Week Celebration in Franklin Park in Boston, MA on Sunday, August 27, at 12 p.m. ET. The event includes free family-friendly activities including painting, music, a postpartum support circle, family portraits, and more.

Breastfeeding Month Proclamations

Maine: Governor Janet T. Mills issued a proclamation declaring August 2023 as Breastfeeding Month throughout the state of Maine.

NBM News & Views

California Breastfeeding Coalition: "Want to Improve Black Breastfeeding Rates? Fight for Equity"
Essence: "The Need To Feed: The Ultimate Guide To Breastfeeding For Black Women"
Fiocruz: "World Breastfeeding Week and Breastfeeding month: Highlights from Fiocruz and LAC on the topic"
Montana DPHHS: "August is National Breastfeeding Month Reminding New or Expecting Parents to Take Advantage of WIC"
NICHD: "Advancing Our Knowledge of Human Milk and Lactation"
NJ Health: "New Jersey Department of Health Honors National Breastfeeding Month"
reliefweb: "Breastfeeding during Emergencies: A case study from Cabo Delgado, Mozambique"
USLCA: "AANHPI Breastfeeding Week: Inviting Communities to Tell Their Stories in Their Own Words"

National News

Continuity of Care (CoC) in Breastfeeding Support Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary

The National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) launched a new webpage celebrating the two-year anniversary of the Continuity of Care (CoC) in Breastfeeding Support: A Blueprint for Communities. The webpage houses all the Blueprint achievements over the past two years including the successes of the twenty-five funded Blueprint grantees and how they have impacted the infant feeding journey for many families in their communities. Additionally, NACCHO released a funding opportunity to support the implementation of the Blueprint to strengthen community lactation support and improve the local nutrition security landscape within the first 1,000 days. The Request for Applications can be found in the "Funding Opportunities" section of the Weekly Wire below.

Call for Nominations for Board of Scientific Counselors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a notice titled, "Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Health Statistics." CDC is seeking nominations for membership on the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Health Statistics (BSC, NCHS). The BSC, NCHS consists of up to 15 experts including the Chair in fields associated with the scientific and technical program objectives of the Center. Nominations are sought for individuals who have the expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishment of the objective of the BSC, NCHS to provide advice and guidance on statistical and epidemiological research, data collection, and activities that support NCHS, including infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 22.

Proposed Regulations on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The NPRM explains how the EEOC proposes to interpret the PWFA and certain terms in the statute, such as "temporary," "essential functions," and "communicated to the employer." It also provides numerous examples of possible reasonable accommodations and seeks input on whether there should be more examples and for what additional different situations. The EEOC solicits information and comments on particular issues, including existing data quantifying the proportion of pregnant workers who need workplace accommodations, and existing data on the average cost of pregnancy-related accommodations. The deadline to submit comments is Tuesday, October 10. Read the press release.

USBC Insight: The USBC and many partners are closely analyzing the proposed regulations and opportunities to better protect lactating workers. Stay tuned for additional information and guidance on submitting comments.

PUMP Technical Correction Act Cost Estimate Report

The Congressional Budget Office released a Cost Estimate report for the PUMP Technical Correction Act, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The PUMP Technical Correction Act would amend the Congressional Accountability Act to expand access to breastfeeding accommodations to employees of Congress. CBO estimates that the cost of any violations of those protections, together with administrative costs for the legislative branch to implement the bill would not be significant.

NICHD Breastfeeding & Safe Sleep Webpage

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) published the "Breastfeeding & Safe Sleep" webpage on the Safe to Sleep website. The webpage provides information to help inform and support parents as they navigate breastfeeding and safe sleep.

State & Community News

Georgia Sample Workplace Lactation Policy

The Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition released a Sample Workplace Lactation Policy. The sample policy acts as a guidance document for employers looking to support nursing parents while complying with the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act.

Know Your Rights Video for Pregnant and Parenting Workers in California

Legal Aid at Work released a new know-your-rights video for pregnant and parenting workers in California, which will soon be available in 11 languages. It covers how to get accommodations for pregnant workers and the rights to paid leave for pregnant and parenting workers. Visit the resource page for English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Farsi, and Arabic. Panjabi, Korean, Tagalog, and Armenian will also be available soon.