Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Final Call for USBC Awards Nominations, Breastfeeding Medicine Journal Call for Manuscripts & 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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Please note: Inclusion of an item in this e-newsletter does NOT imply endorsement or support of such item by the United States Breastfeeding Committee, unless specifically noted.

The WW goes on hiatus several times a year: the weeks of the Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year's holidays, the weeks before the Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day holidays, and the weeks of the USBC membership meetings.

Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Final Call for USBC Awards Nominations, Breastfeeding Medicine Journal Call for Manuscripts & more

3/27/2026

Weekly Wire: March 27, 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
- Membership Meeting Mission Moment With Andrea Serano
- USBC Awards: Final Call to Apply or Nominate a Breastfeeding Changemaker
- Join us in Bethesda for a Pre-Conference Event - Registration is Open!
- USBC Supports...
National News
- New Hub for Lawyers Fighting for Workers’ Rights
- Breastfeeding Medicine Journal Call for Manuscripts
- Research Brief on Maximizing Home Visiting Benefits for Native Families
State & Community News
- Virginia Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Bill Passes Legislature
- Alabama Bill Introduced to Improve Rural Birth Outcomes
Action Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

Membership Meeting Mission Moment With Andrea Serano

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee hosted a Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The biannual event brings together the more than 150 member organizations that comprise the USBC to work collaboratively to drive policy and practice changes that create a landscape of breastfeeding support. At the opening of the meeting, USBC Board Chair-Elect Andrea Serano, Executive Director of Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (R.O.S.E.), delivered the 2026 Spring Membership Meeting "Mission Moment." This is a practice to connect our work to the lives we serve and the positive and impactful change we seek. "Along the way, I have witnessed the transformative impact of collaboration in how strategy, advocacy, and compassionate care come together to build lasting support for families," said Andrea. Visit the blog, "USBC Membership Meeting Mission Moment with Andrea Serano" for a full transcript of the mission moment.

USBC Awards: Final Call to Apply or Nominate a Breastfeeding Changemaker

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee 2026 Awards Application is open until March 31, 2026. The USBC National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening Awards recognize and celebrate individuals advancing breastfeeding and lactation support through leadership, advocacy, research, systems change, and community-based work. These honorees represent the heart of our field, people whose dedication, vision, and persistence make a lasting impact year after year. Our 2026 Awards categories include the Hamlin-Taylor Community Impact Leader Award, the Native Knowledge Award, and the Cultural Changemaker Award.

We are seeking nominations for individuals who have demonstrated long-term commitment to breastfeeding advocacy or support, are leading meaningful work at the community, state, or national level, and often do vital work that may be underrecognized or behind the scenes. Find more details and learn more about each award category on the submission form. Apply for yourself or submit a nomination via the 2026 NBCC Awards Application. The application will close on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at midnight PT.

Join us in Bethesda for a Pre-Conference Event - Registration is Open!

The countdown to the USBC National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening (NBCC) has begun! We are thrilled to gather with changemakers from across the First Food field in Bethesda, Maryland from June 3-5, 2026. Registration is open, and hotel rooms are still available, so reserve your seat today! This year’s NBCC will feature two Pre-Conference events on Wednesday, June 3, to enhance your conference experience.

"Advocacy Day at Capitol Hill"

Join the USBC for a day of coordinated congressional engagement to advance federal policies that support breastfeeding and strengthen infant nutrition security. Meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff to elevate breastfeeding as a federal policy priority.

"Cutting Through the Clutter: Effective Communications Strategies for Public Health Messaging"

Strengthen your communication skills and learn how to break through today’s noisy, polarized information environment. This interactive workshop is designed for public health professionals, lactation advocates, and anyone who wants to communicate evidence-based information with clarity and confidence.

USBC Supports...

March of Dimes: "PREEMIE Act Appropriations Coalition Letter Sign-on"

National News

New Hub for Lawyers Fighting for Workers’ Rights

The Center for Worklife Law launched the Attorney Network Litigation Resource Hub, a new, dedicated repository for plaintiffs' attorneys representing pregnant, postpartum, and caregiving workers. The Hub provides analyses of the latest case law, model complaints, strategic memos on emerging legal issues, and other tools to help lawyers build strong precedent that protects workers’ health and livelihoods. The Hub is available exclusively to members of WorkLife Law's Attorney Network. Learn more and apply to join.

Breastfeeding Medicine Journal Call for Manuscripts

Breastfeeding Medicine, the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), is accepting manuscript submissions. This journal provides unparalleled peer-reviewed research, protocols, and clinical applications to ensure optimal care for mothers and infants. Answering the growing demand for evidence-based research, this publication explores the immediate and long-term outcomes of breastfeeding and serves as the exclusive source of ABM protocols. View the submission guidelines on the Sage Journals website.

Research Brief on Maximizing Home Visiting Benefits for Native Families

Child Trends released a research brief, "Opportunities to Maximize Home Visiting Benefits for Native Families Through Data and Collaboration." This brief describes the landscape of home visiting within American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities and provides a brief overview of the federal investment in home visiting for AIAN families through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, which includes dedicated funding for the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (TMIECHV) Program.

State & Community News

Virginia Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Bill Passes Legislature

The Virginia General Assembly passed HB1207, legislation establishing a paid family and medical leave insurance program with benefits available starting January 1, 2029. Covered individuals would receive 80 percent of their average weekly wage, capped at 100 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, for up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave per year. Virginia Governor Spanberger is expected to sign the bill into law. Media highlights include:

A Better Balance: "Virginia Becomes First Southern State to Pass Paid Leave, Setting Example for a National Affordability Agenda"
National Partnership for Women & Families: "NPWF Celebrates Virginia Becoming the 15th State and First in the South to Pass Paid Family and Medical Leave"

Alabama Bill Introduced to Improve Rural Birth Outcomes

Alabama Representative Travis introduced HB598. The bill would address maternal and infant health disparities in rural areas by expanding access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care through midwifery and doula support, rural obstetric workforce development, and culturally responsive community-based services.