Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - FEMA Public Assistance Program updates, Title IX Vacated, & more

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • New Breastfeeding Resource Guide for Parents
  • Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: Clem the Doula, LLC and the DC Breastfeeding Coalition
• National News
  • NICHD Research Needs for Pregnant and Lactating Persons Meeting Summary
  • 2024 Title IX Rule Vacated
  • Breastfeeding Support Items Eligible for Reimbursement under FEMA Public Assistance Program 
  • Resource Webpage on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies 
  • Call for Papers on Work and Breastfeeding
  • Explainer Documents on Paid Family and Medical Leave 
  • Paid Leave Fact Sheets
• State & Community News
  • California Breastfeeding Coalition & Breastfeed LA Statements on Southern California Fires
  • Maternity Care Practice Requirements Go Into Effect in California
  • Oklahoma Bill Introduced to Increase Reimbursement for Baby-Friendly Hospitals
  • Missouri Bill Introduced to Create Paid Parental Leave Program for Education Personnel
• Action Opportunities
• Upcoming Events
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

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

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USBC Updates

New Breastfeeding Resource Guide for Parents

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee launched the "Parent Resources: Breastfeeding & Human Milk" webpage. This new resource is designed for expecting and new parents seeking information about breastfeeding and human milk. While the USBC does not offer direct breastfeeding support services or programming, our team developed this curated webpage to help guide families to the providers, information, and resources that can support their infant feeding journey. Periodic updates will be made to the page. Offer suggestions for the inclusion of additional resources for parents via this form.

Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: Clem the Doula, LLC and the DC Breastfeeding Coalition

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is thrilled to welcome 18 organizations to the USBC member network as of January 2025! Through the coming weeks, each edition of the Weekly Wire newsletter is highlighting two of the new member organizations, presented in alphabetical order. The USBC warmly welcomes all new, and returning, member organizations to our table! This week we are highlighting Clem the Doula, LLC and the DC Breastfeeding Coalition.

Clem the Doula is a direct service provider and a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula (DONA). As a La Leche League Leader, LLL USA Helpline Coordinator, Certified Blactation Educator, and member of various birth and lactation professional organizations, Clem the Doula leverages her expertise in non-verbal and verbal communication to provide compassionate and empathetic support to her clients. She actively bridges cultural norms to help clients reconnect with their birthing and lactation goals, promoting equity and understanding within communities. 

The DC Breastfeeding Coalition was established to increase the breastfeeding rates of all infants living in the District of Columbia. Working in partnership with maternal and child health professionals, community health organizations, and mother-to-mother support groups, the DC Breastfeeding Coalition seeks to promote, protect, and support culturally-sensitive programs and activities that build awareness and understanding of the preventive health benefits of breastfeeding. Through its breastfeeding research, advocacy, and educational activities, the coalition seeks to reduce health disparities -- particularly among racialized families living in DC communities with fewer resources. The DC Breastfeeding Coalition returns to USBC membership after a brief hiatus.
 

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National News

 NICHD Research Needs for Pregnant and Lactating Persons Meeting Summary

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development posted the meeting summary of the "Inaugural Stakeholder Meeting for the Prioritization of Therapeutic Research Needs for Pregnant, Postpartum, and Lactating (PPL) Persons." The meeting took place on Tuesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 10, 2024, and began discussion of the prioritization of drugs, vaccines, and dietary supplement research needs for use in PPL people. The meeting included a discussion of the recommendations from the NICHD-led Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women. 

2024 Title IX Rule Vacated

The federal judge overseeing the case of State of Tennessee v. Cardona vacated the 2024 Final Rule interpreting Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. Title IX is the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. The 2024 rule clarified and expanded protections for pregnant and parenting students, including those who are breastfeeding. The Court vacated the Final Rule on the grounds that the Department of Education exceeded its authority. As a result, all schools and other Title IX-covered institutions across the country are subject to the requirements under the previous Rule issued in 2020.

USBC Insight: The Pregnant Scholar issued a statement on the ruling, noting that the provisions protecting pregnant and parenting students were not challenged in this case and educational institutions can and should continue providing modifications (including lactation space) and leave to their pregnant and postpartum students. The Title IX Regulations Toolkit will be updated with new information and guidance as it becomes available.

Breastfeeding Support Items Eligible for Reimbursement under FEMA Public Assistance Program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the "Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide, Version 5.0" (PAPPG). FEMA's Public Assistance program provides funds to assist communities after a federally declared disaster or emergency. The PAPPG is used to evaluate funding eligibility under the Public Assistance program. Breastfeeding/chest-feeding support items are now eligible for reimbursement under the section on Congregate Shelter Supplies and Commodities.

USBC Insight: The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee submitted a comment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last month in response to the public comment opportunity on proposed revisions to the PAPPG. The USBC comment encouraged the agency to expand the definitions of durable medical equipment and consumable medical supplies to include lactation and infant feeding supplies and to include breastfeeding and lactation as functional needs. The USBC is committed to ensuring that all families in the U.S. have not only the supplies, but the support needed to support breastfeeding during emergencies and disasters. While this new addition of reimbursement for breastfeeding supplies is important, expanding reimbursement eligibility to lactation support services would be a critical step to ensure equitable access to infant feeding support during emergencies. 

Resource Webpage on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies 

The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) published "Resources for Skilled Lactation Care Providers on Emergencies and Disasters." The resource webpage features statements, resources, and webinars on infant and young child feeding in emergencies.

Call for Papers on Work and Breastfeeding

The Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) issued a Call for Papers for a special issue on work and breastfeeding. The special issue aims to provide the lactation community with the most up-to-date evidence and insights on the relationship between returning to work and continuing breastfeeding. Manuscript submissions regarding any aspects of this topic are welcome. Manuscripts may be original research, case studies, epidemiological studies, critical literature reviews, or policy and ethical analyses and will be accepted on a rolling basis through July 2025. 

Explainer Documents on Paid Family and Medical Leave 

New America released an updated version of their paid family and medical leave explainers to reflect key parameters of state paid leave programs in 2025. "Explainer: Paid Leave Benefits and Funding in the United States" outlines wage replacement, duration, and funding for state paid family and medical leave programs. "Explainer: Paid and Unpaid Leave Policies in the United States" describes federal Family and Medical Leave Act and state paid leave program purposes, utilization, duration, and family care coverage. These resources are designed to help policymakers, advocates, journalists, and other interested parties understand the value and structure of comprehensive paid family and medical leave programs.

Paid Leave Fact Sheets

The Center for American Progress published three new fact sheets for 2025 in their ongoing series, "A Guide to Workplace Leave Laws in the United States." The 2025 editions provide an overview of the state of paid leave at the local, state, and federal levels, including:

• "The State of Paid Family and Medical Leave in the U.S. in 2025"
• "The State of Paid Sick Time in the U.S. in 2025"
• "The State of Paid Time Off in the U.S. in 2025"

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State & Community News

 California Breastfeeding Coalition & BreastfeedLA Statements on Southern California Fires

The California Breastfeeding Coalition and BreastfeedLA released statements on the Southern California fires. The statements include local support resources for breastfeeding families and information on donating, volunteering, and preparing for emergencies.

Maternity Care Practice Requirements Go Into Effect in California

The California Department of Public Health sent all California birthing hospitals with a perinatal unit a reminder letter to ensure compliance regarding legislation that took effect on January 1, 2025. The California Health and Safety Code Section 123367 requires all general, acute care hospitals and specialty hospitals with a perinatal unit to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as adopted by Baby-Friendly USA. Compliance with this safety code will assure the utilization of evidence-based hospital breastfeeding policies and practices associated with improvements in breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration.

Oklahoma Bill Introduced to Increase Reimbursement for Baby-Friendly Hospitals

Oklahoma Senator Hicks introduced Oklahoma Senate Bill 226. The bill would allow the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to establish a reimbursement methodology for the state Medicaid program that reimburses for obstetrical care at hospitals designated by Baby-Friendly USA at a higher rate. 

Missouri Bill Introduced to Create Paid Parental Leave Program for Education Personnel

Missouri Representative Matthiesen introduced Missouri House Bill 639. The bill would require the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a program providing up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for education personnel. The department would be required to establish a standard cost-sharing agreement for parental leave expenses between the department and a school district or charter school that elects to participate.

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Action Opportunities

Health Resources and Services Administration: "Public Comment Request; Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Model Eligibility Review Survey." Comment deadline: Monday, March 10.  

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Upcoming Events

Friday, January 24: 

•  Center for Health Equity, Education, & Research: "CHAMPS National Breastfeeding Exclusivity Orb Launch"

Thursday, February 20:

•  American Academy of Pediatrics: "Promoting Safe Sleep: Doulas and the Cultural Significance of Being in the Room"

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News & Views

AL.com: "Jefferson County mother called to jury duty while breastfeeding sparks outrage, push to change law"

U.S. Department of Labor Blog: "Four Years of Progress for Working Women"

WALB: "Breastfeeding moms and jury duty"

Watertown Public Opinion: "Prairie Lakes Healthcare opens Watertown's first Baby Café breastfeeding support program"

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Journal Publications

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth: "Obstetric outcomes in breastfeeding women in the first hour of delivery before and during the COVID-19 pandemic"

Journal of Marriage and Family: "Temporary Aid for Needy Families as family policy for first time mothers" Media highlights:

• HealthDay: "First-Time Moms In This State May Be Using Welfare for Paid Family Leave"