Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Analysis & more

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Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Analysis & more

7/25/2024

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Budget Process Underway: Appropriation Bill Analysis
Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month
National News
- USDA Webpage Compiles Breastfeeding Resources
- NACCHO Resource on Emergency Preparedness for MCH Populations
- DOL Updates FAQ webpage on PUMP Act
- Pregnant Scholar Resources on Title IX Protections for Pregnant and Lactating Students
State & Community News
- California Bill Requiring Courts to Provide Lactation Accommodations Signed Into Law
- Georgia Fact Sheet on Enhanced Parental Leave Benefits
Action Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views

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

USBC Updates

Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Budget Process Underway: Appropriation Bill Analysis

Each year funding is allocated to a variety of federally funded programs that include lactation support through the federal appropriations process. The fiscal year 2025 federal budget process is underway and the USBC completed a detailed analysis of the current appropriations bills and associated reports. Visit the Federal Appropriations For Breastfeeding webpage for a chart showing funding levels for programs relevant to the lactation field and the "FY25 Appropriations: Current Status and Implications for Breastfeeding" blog post for additional information on unfunded or one-time directives in the appropriation bills and associated reports. Highlights:

The House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations report includes $9.75 million for the Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program, level funding from fiscal year 2024, and $38.95 million for the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health program, a $30 million decrease from fiscal year 2024.
The Senate Legislative Branch Appropriations Act incorporates the PUMP Technical Correction Act (S.2219/H.R.3585), extending the rights and protections of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act to congressional employees and other legislative branch staff.
The House version of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes $7.2 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, falling short of projected caseloads, while the Senate version includes $7.7 billion. Both the House and Senate provide $90 million for the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program.

Special Section on National Breastfeeding Month

We're one week away from the start of National Breastfeeding Month (NBM)! The 2024 NBM theme is Nourish, Sustain, Thrive. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee and the lactation field are busy preparing a variety of activities and events. Join us as we take the time in August (and beyond!) 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, shop the USBC Store for official NBM merch, and make a donation to help support important campaigns like this one. Highlights from the field include:

ABM: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with a series of Coffee & Tea Chats on a variety of session topics. Sessions feature presentations sharing diverse perspectives and experiences.
IBLCE: The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is hosting IBCLC Appreciation Day on August 1, during World Breastfeeding Week, to acknowledge the vital role IBCLCs play in maternal and infant health. IBLCE launched the IBCLC Appreciation Day Toolkit and invites hospitals, health systems, birthing centers, community clinics, IBCLCs, families, and other supporters to use this toolkit to plan for and celebrate the day.
SLL: The Semana de La Lactancia Latina team released the Semana de La Lactancia Latina Promotion Toolkit, which includes national activities, logos, a social media kit, and ideas for local events.

Local Events

BirthMatters: BirthMatters is hosting this year’s annual "Big Latch-On" event on Friday, August 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET at The TK Gregg Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The event will celebrate National Breastfeeding Month and include games and breastfeeding education.
BCBC: Buncombe County Breastfeeding Coalition is hosting "Latch AVL" on Saturday, August 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET at Rabbit Rabbit in Asheville, North Carolina. The event is a celebration of World Breastfeeding Week for expectant parents, families with young children, and community members.
El Camino Health: El Camino Health is hosting a "Donor Human Milk Drive" on Thursday, August 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California. Join or spread the word about this milk meetup in honor of National Breastfeeding Month and to raise awareness on safe Donor Human Milk donations for fragile babies.
ENIPC WIC: Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council (ENIPC) WIC is hosting the "Breastfeeding Awareness Health Fair" on Thursday, August 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MDT at the Santa Claran Event Center in Espanola, New Mexico.
Mothers' Milk Bank: Mothers' Milk Bank is hosting the "Eisner Health Milk Meetup" on Wednesday, August 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT at the Eisner Health Community Health Center/Women's Health Center in Los Angeles, California.
NBC: Navajo Breastfeeding Coalition, 4th Trimester Arizona, ASU Lactation program, Indigenous Lactation of Arizona and Wellness, Saad K'idilye, and Tribal Indemnity are hosting the "Celebration of Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: Mind, Body, Milk Medicine" on Sunday, August 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST at the Steele Indian School Community Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gardner Health Services WIC: Gardner WIC is hosting World Breastfeeding Week celebration events on Monday, August 5, at the Comprecare Health Center and Tuesday, August 6, at the Gardner Health Services from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. PT in San Jose, California. These tabling events will include refreshments, prizes, giveaways, children's activities, and breastfeeding information.
Laredo Medical Center & Laredo Public Health: The Laredo Medical Center, in partnership with Laredo Public Health, is hosting the "4th Annual Breastfeeding Awareness Community Fair" on Friday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT at the Laredo Medical Center Community Center in Laredo, Texas.
NMBTF: The New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force in collaboration with several community agencies is hosting a "Breastfeeding Awareness Week" event on Thursday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. MDT at the Deming Literacy Center in Deming, New Mexico.
Otero County WIC: Otero County WIC is hosting the "World Breastfeeding Week Awareness Eve" event on Thursday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. MDT at the Otero County Public Health Office in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Join to learn about the WIC program, the benefits of breastfeeding, and the resources available to breastfeeding families.
Santo Domingo WIC Program: The Santo Domingo WIC Program is hosting the "World Breastfeeding Day!" celebration event on Wednesday, August 14, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. MDT.
WIC Delta Health Care: WIC Delta Health Care is hosting the "Delta Health Care Milk Meetup" from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT in Stockton, California. Join or spread the word about this milk meetup in honor of National Breastfeeding Month to raise awareness on safe Donor Human Milk donations.

Breastfeeding Month Proclamations

New Mexico: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisnam proclaimed August as Breastfeeding Month in New Mexico.

National News

USDA Webpage Compiles Breastfeeding Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC Works Resource System released a breastfeeding topic page that compiles breastfeeding-related resources and guidance from WIC Breastfeeding Support, the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program, and from federal and non-profit partners to support those who choose to breastfeed their infants. WIC Works also created the Military Family Resources webpage featuring professional development resources for military family service providers and other resources on supporting military families. Additionally, WIC Breastfeeding Support released new breastfeeding social media infographics. These infographics were adapted from Wisconsin WIC and can be shared with participants to support them on their breastfeeding journey.

NACCHO Resource on Emergency Preparedness for MCH Populations

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) launched the Maternal Child Health emergency preparedness resource webpage. The webpage compiles toolkits, checklists, exercises, webinars, and guides from NACCHO, local health departments, and partner organizations. In addition to providing information about emergency management for all-hazards preparedness, the resources address topics such as infant and young child feeding in emergencies, infectious disease response, disability preparedness/inclusive planning, and other considerations impacting maternal and infant health and pediatric populations.

DOL Updates FAQ webpage on PUMP Act

The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division updated the "Frequently Asked Questions – Pumping Breast Milk at Work" webpage. The webpage provides helpful information about the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act. New additions to the FAQ webpage include:

How do I know if federal pump at work requirements apply to me and if I have a right to take pump breaks at work?
Does the PUMP Act apply to people who work for non-profit organizations?
Do the FLSA pump at work requirements apply to first responders and rescue workers like police, firefighters, and child protection workers? Do the requirements apply to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff?
Do FLSA pump at work requirements apply to domestic service workers such as housekeepers, home health care workers, cooks, and full-time nannies or babysitters?
Can an employer require an employee to submit a doctor's note before allowing an employee to take pump breaks?
How does the Department determine whether the undue hardship exemption applies to a small business?
For purpose of the undue hardship exemption, how will the Department determine whether an employer has fewer than 50 employees?
Are there any requirements for information about these rights to be shared with employees or posted in a visible location?
What other rights and protections do lactating workers have in the workplace?

Pregnant Scholar Resources on Title IX Protections for Pregnant and Lactating Students

The Pregnant Scholar hosts the "Title IX Regulations Toolkit" to help spread the word about the rights of pregnant and lactating students’ under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. The toolkit includes a series of posters and social media graphics to educate students on their rights and features an editable template outreach letter that can be used by the lactation community to inform educational institutions of new requirements to accommodate pregnant and lactating students.

State & Community News

California Bill Requiring Courts to Provide Lactation Accommodations Signed Into Law

Governor Newsom signed California Senate Bill 949 into law. The new law requires the superior court to provide any court user who is participating in an ongoing court proceeding with a reasonable amount of break time to express breast milk for the user’s infant child during court proceedings. The law requires the California Judicial Council to adopt or amend rules of court or forms to implement this requirement on or before January 1, 2026, including creating a confidential process for the court user to request the break time.

Georgia Fact Sheet on Enhanced Parental Leave Benefits

The Georgia Coalition on Paid Leave released the "Know Your Rights: Georgia’s Paid Parental Leave for Teachers and State Employees" fact sheet explaining the newly expanded paid parental leave benefits for state government and public school employees. The fact sheet details the policy, eligibility criteria, and steps state workers and teachers can take to access their benefits.