Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire - USBC Awards Application Now Open, Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill Signed Into Law & More

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • 2026 USBC Conference: Awards Applications & Nominations Now Open!
  • Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: MCH Impact Partners & Mother Eve's Childbearing Support Services
• International News
  • WHO Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases Encourages Policies that Protect, Promote and Support Breastfeeding
  • World Breastfeeding Week Slogan Announced
• National News
  • Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill Signed Into Law
  • Anniversary of the FMLA: Updated Paid Leave Resources
  • National Doula Medicaid Interactive Map
• State & Community News
  • Alabama Bill Introduced to Require Workplace Lactation Accommodations
  • Arizona Bill Introduced to Establish a Certification Process for Lactation Care Providers
  • Indiana Bill Introduced to Exempt Breastfeeding Mothers from Jury Duty
• 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

2026 USBC Conference: Awards Applications & Nominations Now Open!

We are excited to share that the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee's 2026 Awards Application is officially open! Each year, our conference 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. Find more details and learn more about what each award category represents on the submission form's front page. 

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. Apply for yourself or nominate an individual you'd like to lift up by filling out the 2026 NBCC Awards Application now. This application window will close on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at midnight PT.

Welcoming New USBC Member Organizations: MCH Impact Partners, LLC & Mother Eve's Childbearing Support Services

The USBC is thrilled to welcome 18 organizations to our member network as of January 2026! Throughout the coming weeks, each edition of the Weekly Wire newsletter will be highlighting two new member organizations, presented in alphabetical order. Access the archive to review past editions. The USBC warmly welcomes all new and returning member organizations to our table! This week, we are highlighting MCH Impact Partners, LLC and Mother Eve's Childbearing Support Services. 

MCH Impact Partners, LLC is dedicated to transforming health care and social systems to improve outcomes for maternal and child health (MCH) populations. They work alongside communities, organizations, and policymakers to create quality, accessible, and sustainable solutions that drive real change.

Mother Eve’s Childbearing Support Services is a faith-based, minority, and woman-owned company that provides services and support to childbearing families through childbirth education, full-spectrum doula support, and lactation care. Their mission is to empower and advocate for positive birth and breastfeeding outcomes in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex communities, including BIPOC populations.

---

International News

WHO Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases Encourages Policies that Protect, Promote and Support Breastfeeding

World leaders adopted the political declaration, "Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being" at the Eightieth United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This is the first declaration addressing noncommunicable diseases and mental health together, and marks a unique opportunity to accelerate global progress with a set of specific global targets for 2030. The declaration acknowledges that breastfeeding fosters healthy growth and has longer-term health benefits for both child and mother, including the reduced risk of overweight or obesity and developing noncommunicable diseases later in life. It also calls for protecting, promoting, and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices, including by regulating the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Read the news release.

World Breastfeeding Week Slogan Announced

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) announced that the slogan for World Breastfeeding Week 2026 will be Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works. Annually, WABA coordinates and organizes the World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7, during the first week of National Breastfeeding Month. World Breastfeeding Week this year will focus on tracking progress and evaluating breastfeeding impact on nutrition, food security, and poverty reduction with highlights of successful implementation and lessons learned.

---

National News

Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill Signed Into Law

The House and Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148), a bipartisan, bicameral funding package that completes Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations by funding most remaining federal government operations through Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The bill was signed into law by the President on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

While Congress typically enacts 12 individual appropriations bills each fiscal year, this legislation advances the final three appropriations bills together, including Labor–Health and Human Services–Education (LHHS), in a consolidated package. With this spending law in place, full-year funding is secured for nearly all federal agencies, with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded only through Friday, February 13, 2026 as negotiations continue. The package includes level funding of $9.75 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program within the LHHS appropriations. The full legislative text and accompanying explanatory statements are publicly available.

USBC Insight: In a challenging FY2026 budget environment, maintaining level funding of $9.75 million for the CDC’s Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program represents a meaningful policy win. At a moment when many public health programs face reductions or consolidation, maintaining level funding preserves a dedicated federal investment in breastfeeding and helps prevent erosion of critical infrastructure and hard-won progress. Highlights from the field include:

• Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs: "Congress Passes Funding for MCH Programs"
• March of Dimes: "March of Dimes Applauds PREEMIE and PMDA in FY26 Funding Package"

Anniversary of the FMLA: Updated Paid Leave Resources

This week marked the 33rd anniversary of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child. Research shows that workplace leave is associated with increased breastfeeding rates. To mark the anniversary of the FMLA, the National Partnership for Women & Families released updates to several resources on paid leave and the FMLA:

• The "Paid Leave Means a Stronger Nation" series features fact sheets for each state, making the case for paid family and medical leave programs using state-specific data.
• The "Paid Leave Works: Evidence from State Programs" fact sheet highlights the latest data on use of paid leave across implemented programs – including use by leave type and gender in California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York, Washington, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon and Colorado. The fact sheet also reviews the research about how paid leave is benefitting workers, families and businesses in states with programs.
• The "Key Facts: The Family and Medical Leave Act" fact sheet illustrates both the impact and limitations of the FMLA. 

National Doula Medicaid Interactive Map Launched

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) launched the Doula Medicaid Interactive Map. The user-friendly map depicts current efforts to expand access to doula care in each state. The tool is designed to make it easier for doulas, advocates, researchers, and other stakeholders to track and compare state efforts across the country. The data presented in the map is also available within NHeLP's State Efforts Chart.

---

State & Community News

Alabama Bill Introduced to Require Workplace Lactation Accommodations

Alabama Representative Givan introduced HB290. The bill would require every employer to provide a location and reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk. The bill would also prohibit employers from discriminating against employees who express breast milk in the workplace. Media highlights include:

• Alabama Reflector: "Alabama House committee approves bill requiring job accommodations for breastfeeding mothers"

Arizona Bill Introduced to Establish a Certification Process for Lactation Care Providers

Arizona Representative Fink introduced HB2072. The bill would establish a regulatory framework for individuals who provide lactation care, education, and support to families. The bill would also create a Lactation Care Providers Community Advisory Committee and require the Director of the Department of Health Services to consult with the Committee when implementing the framework.

Indiana Bill Introduced to Exempt Breastfeeding Mothers from Jury Duty

Indiana Senators Donato, Doriot, and Rogers introduced SB139. The bill would permit an exemption from jury duty for women who are breastfeeding during the first year following birth. Media highlights include:

• FOX 59: "Indianapolis mom pushing for jury duty exemption for breastfeeding women"

---

Action Opportunities

 Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition: "Hospitals Matter for Breastfeeding: Why mPINC Needs Our Support Now." Action deadline: Friday, February 13.

---

Funding Opportunities

 Health Resources and Services Administration: "Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program.​​" Estimated application deadline: Saturday, April 4.   

---

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, February 11:

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission & U.S. Department of Labor: "Get to Know Us: Federal Resources for Employers"

Thursday, February 12:

• CinnaMoms: "Love Languages & Breastfeeding"

Thursday, February 19:

•  National Association of County and City Health Officials: "FLEXED 2026 Webinar #1: Turning Evidence into Action with Data Communication"

On-Demand:

•  Michigan Breastfeeding Network - Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars: "Removing Barriers Collectively: Working Together to Improve Health Outcomes for Families"

---

News & Views

Contemporary OB/GYN: "Fionnuala McAuliffe, MD, highlights importance of timely breastfeeding discussions with patients"

Gillings School of Public Health: "A Vision Realized: Celebrating Legacy and Leadership in Carrboro’s Landmark Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community Designation"

The 19th: "When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk"

---

Journal Publications

International Breastfeeding Journal:

• "'I will breastfeed until the pandemic has ceased to protect her at all costs': a qualitative analysis of black breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic"
• "NICU nurses' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and influencing factors regarding breastfeeding of newborns: a scoping review"
• "Payor status is associated with guideline-concordant skin-to-skin contact at an urban hospital in south central United States: a retrospective cohort study"

---

U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
1629 K Street NW Suite 300 | Washington, District of Columbia 20006
(773) 359-1549 | [email protected] 

Follow Us