Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Registration is Open for July 31 Virtual Summit & 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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Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - Registration is Open for July 31 Virtual Summit & more

6/13/2025

In this issue:

USBC Updates
- Registration is Open for the Forward Together: Meeting the Moment Virtual Summit
- Weekly Wire Hiatus & USBC Office Closure for Juneteenth
National News
- USDA Report on Feeding My Baby Study
- Report on Medicaid's Key Role in Maternal-Infant Health in Rural Communities
- Resource to Help Plan for Postpartum Health and Wellness
- NHeLP Medicaid Defense Fact Sheets
- 2025 Leading on Leave Report
Action Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Upcoming Events
News & Views
Journal Publications

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

USBC Updates

Registration is Open for the Forward Together: Meeting the Moment Virtual Summit

The United States Breastfeeding Committee, in collaboration with Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) and the American Public Health Association (APHA) Breastfeeding Forum, is hosting a Virtual Summit, Forward Together: Meeting the Moment on Thursday, July 31, from 12 p.m. ET through 5:30 p.m. ET. The Summit will offer the First Food field a space to acknowledge and address today’s specific challenges, along with learning opportunities and time for connection – all within an accessible virtual format hosted on the eve of National Breastfeeding Month! Learn more and register today!

Weekly Wire Hiatus & USBC Office Closure for Juneteenth

The USBC office will be closed in observance of Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, and the Weekly Wire will be on hiatus next week. Happy Juneteenth! We look forward to connecting when we return to the office the following week.

National News

USDA Report on Feeding My Baby Study

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service released the "WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2: Ninth Year Report." The WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 (WIC ITFPS-2), also known as the "Feeding My Baby Study," analyzes the long-term impact of the USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by gathering information on caregivers and children over the first nine years of the child's life after enrollment in WIC, regardless of their continued participation in the program. The report focuses on children's dietary intake patterns, eating behaviors, and weight status during the child's ninth year after WIC eligibility has ended. The report also explores whether patterns of WIC participation in early childhood are associated with dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes after WIC eligibility ends.

Report on Medicaid's Key Role in Maternal-Infant Health in Rural Communities

The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) released a report, "Medicaid Plays A Key Role for Maternal and Infant Health in Rural Communities," which emphasizes the importance of Medicaid for maternal and newborn health in rural America. The report details key research findings, showing that nearly 25% of women of childbearing age living in small towns and rural communities rely on Medicaid for health coverage. CCF’s analysis shows which states and counties across the country have the highest Medicaid enrollment rates, and why severe cuts to Medicaid would lead to the deterioration of an already precarious situation for pregnant women and infants living in rural areas.

Resource to Help Plan for Postpartum Health and Wellness

The Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance released a resource, "Planning for Postpartum: Evidence-Based Components of Health and Wellness." This comprehensive resource is grounded in the latest research to help expectant parents and healthcare providers serving parents prepare and know what they need to do to plan for a positive postpartum experience. The resource includes educational information on postpartum health and wellness as well as information on the types of social and professional support available to families.

NHeLP Medicaid Defense Fact Sheets

National Help Law Program (NHeLP) launched the "Medicaid Defense Page – Resources and Analysis." In response to legislative proposals to overhaul Medicaid, NHelp published a series of fact sheets on this page outlining the importance of the program and how funding caps would impact various population groups and services Medicaid covers.

2025 Leading on Leave Report

The National Partnership for Women & Families released the "2025 Leading on Leave Report." The report highlights private sector trends in paid leave policies and companies championing the work. Since 2019, the National Partnership for Women & Families' Leading on Leave has helped highlight trends in corporate paid leave policies and the benefits they provide to companies and their workers.