Weekly Wire: May Is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Conference Session Spotlight and more

In this issue:

• USBC Updates
  • This Mother’s Day, Donate in Honor of Mom!
  • Conference Session Spotlight: Partnering for Progress: Strategies to Build Partnerships for Greater Impact
  • Join USBC Coalitions Directory to be Featured in 2023 State Breastfeeding Reports
  • Welcoming New USBC Members: Coalición para la Lactancia Materna en Puerto Rico and Nitamising Gimashkikinaan “Our First Medicine”
  • May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
• International News
  • USAID Webinar on Data Collection Methods for Dietary Data
• National News
  • Public Comment Notice on WIC Breastfeeding Awards of Excellence
  • EEOC Webinar on How Doulas and Midwives Can Support Clients' Pregnancy Workplace Protections 
  • HRSA 2023 Healthy Grants Workshop Web Series
  • Hearing on FDA Oversight and Responsibility for the Infant Formula Shortage Crisis
  • Reports on Impact of WIC Program Flexibilities Implemented During the Pandemic
• State & Community News
  • Maryland Passes Law Implementing Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
  • New North Carolina DHHS Breastfeeding Website 
  • Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates PUMP Act Webinar
• News & Views
• Journal Publications

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

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USBC Updates

This Mother's Day, Donate in Honor of Mom!

We know that breastfeeding success demands a systems-level approach, and breastfeeding flourishes with support: in the hospital, back at home, or at work. A donation to the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee this Mother’s Day funds our advocacy efforts for policies that safeguard breastfeeding and human milk access for mothers and families. Make a one-time donation in honor of your mom, a mom, or all moms; or commit to a monthly recurring donation today! Support changes everything!

NBCC Session Spotlight: Partnering for Progress: Strategies to Build Partnerships for Greater Impact

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is counting down the weeks until this year's National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening. With under a month until we convene again in person, we're looking forward to hosting three days of dynamic presentations designed to enrich participants and enhance connections. On Friday, June 9, we'll be hearing from a powerful panel of presenters in a session titled "Partnering for Progress: Strategies to Build Partnerships for Greater Impact." Attendees will hear about how crucial partnerships across sectors are to promoting lactation in communities and creating the environments necessary to support families. Whether you are a healthcare provider, community organizer, or government representative, this session will offer valuable insights into how to build effective partnerships that help advance your work in protecting, supporting, and promoting breastfeeding and human milk feeding. Register for the conference now and join us in Bethesda, Maryland, from June 8-10! 

Join USBC Coalitions Directory to be Featured in 2023 State Breastfeeding Reports

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee released the 2023 State & Territory Breastfeeding Reports earlier this year. Updated versions of the reports will be released in August of 2023 for National Breastfeeding Month. August reports will feature an updated list of breastfeeding coalitions. If you would like your coalition to be featured in your state or territory's breastfeeding report, join the USBC Coalitions Directory, which is free of charge, by completing the USBC Member Interest Form by July 31, 2023.

Welcoming New USBC Members: Coalición para la Lactancia Materna en Puerto Rico and Nitamising Gimashkikinaan, “Our First Medicine”

The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is pleased to welcome two new organizations to the USBC membership. Coalición para la Lactancia Materna en Puerto Rico works to create awareness about the importance of breastfeeding by providing Puerto Rican families with educational talks and a community space where they feel the support of other families and health professional experts in the field. Nitamising Gimashkikinaan, “Our First Medicine," is a team of Indigenous birth workers serving Native communities in Minnesota by hosting virtual support circles that empower Indigenous mothers with knowledge of traditional lactation practices, while building community. 

May Is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is here! This month honors the rich diversity of Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) and celebrates the countless contributions they have made throughout America’s history. Asian/Pacific Americans make up more than 7% of the U.S. population. Join us in honoring the rich culture of Asians and Pacific Islanders and raising awareness of health disparities in these communities. To help us amplify resources and awareness of API Heritage Month, please submit your events and resources for sharing on the USBC website and social media channels.

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International News

USAID Webinar on Data Collection Methods for Dietary Data

USAID Advancing Nutrition is hosting a webinar, "Understanding Infant and Young Child Feeding Measurement: A Comparative Analysis of Data Collection Methods for Dietary Data," on May 31, at 9 a.m. ET. A group of panelists will discuss an USAID Advancing Nutrition study which provides information for understanding the benefits and costs of two common dietary data collection methods, and for facilitating the improvement of the design, monitoring, and evaluation of nutrition programs for infants and young children. The findings from this study will provide evidence-based recommendations to inform dietary data collection among young children in low-and-middle-income-countries. 

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National News

 Public Comment Notice on WIC Breastfeeding Awards of Excellence

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service issued a notice inviting the general public and other public agencies to comment on a proposed information collection for awarding local agencies for excellence in WIC breastfeeding services and support. The deadline for written comment submissions is July 3. Visit the Federal Registrar website for instructions on submitting a comment online or by mail.

EEOC Webinar on How Doulas and Midwives Can Support Clients' Pregnancy Workplace Protections 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division and Women’s Bureau are hosting a webinar titled, "What Your Clients Should Expect From Their Employers When They Are Expecting: Midwives and Doulas," on May 16, at 2 p.m. ET. This event is the fourth in a series of webinars on workplace protections for pregnant workers and new parents. This session will discuss federal legal protections for workers during pregnancy, after giving birth, and when returning to work, and how midwives, doulas, and other healthcare providers can support their clients' workplace needs. 

HRSA 2023 Healthy Grants Workshop Web Series

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is hosting the 2023 Healthy Grants Workshop as a web series, featuring presentations on their most requested topics. The workshop offers multiple sessions that will help attendees successfully manage their HRSA award, and is organized into two tracks: A "New Recipients/Refresher" track and an "Advanced" track. Visit the 2023 HRSA Healthy Grants Workshop Schedule for information on dates, times, tracks, and presentation descriptions. Register for any of the series events at this link.

Hearing on FDA Oversight and Responsibility for the Infant Formula Shortage Crisis

The House Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services is holding a subcommittee hearing titled, "FDA Oversight Part II: Responsibility for the Infant Formula Shortage," on May 11, at 2 p.m. ET. The event will be live-streamed on the subcommittee's website.

 Reports on Impact of WIC Program Flexibilities Implemented During the Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Labor, Food and Nutrition Service, released two reports on flexibilities authorized under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act for State agencies administering the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program: 

• “The Use and Impact of Federal Waivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Summary Findings From Surveys of WIC State and Local Agencies” 
• “Conducting Remote WIC Certification Appointments During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from Surveys of WIC State and Local Agencies”

The reports found that the percentage of local agencies using remote methods to conduct breastfeeding counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic increased by 8.6 percentage points and that the use of live one-on-one counseling sessions via video call increased approximately fivefold.

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State & Community News

Maryland Passes Law Implementing Paid Family and Medical Leave Program

Maryland Governor Moore signed the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Modifications (SB 828/HB 988) into law. This legislation implements Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program, which was approved last year. The legislation postpones the collection of contributions from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2024, and will start paying benefits to eligible employees on January 1, 2026, instead of the original January 1, 2025 target. Administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, the program provides up to 12 weeks of benefits to a covered individual who is taking leave from employment due to caring for certain family members, the individual’s own serious health condition, or qualifying exigency arising out of a family member’s military deployment. Highlights from the field include: 

• Fineos: “Maryland Delays, Changes Paid Family and Medical Leave Program”

New North Carolina DHHS Breastfeeding Website 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched a new breastfeeding website, "Breastfeed NC," which features multiple web pages that have resources and information tailored for new moms, new dads, healthcare providers, and support members.

 Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates PUMP Act Webinar

The Coalition of Oklahoma Breastfeeding Advocates (COBA) is hosting a webinar titled, "PUMP For Nursing Mothers Act: What You Should Know," on May 23, at 12 p.m. CST. The webinar features a series of panelists, including Cheryl Lebedevitch, USBC Senior Policy & Communications Manager, who will discuss this important new law as it applies in the state of Oklahoma.

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News & Views

Reckon: "5 things you need to know about the PUMP Act and breastfeeding protections for workers"

Scripps News: "Breastfeeding mothers now have more protections at work"

The New York Times: "A New Breast Pumping Law Has Gone Into Effect. Here’s What It Means."

USA Today: "What to know about the PUMP Act: Law aims to protect women pumping breastmilk at work"

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Journal Publications

Health Promotion Practice: "Multi-State Implementation of Go NAPSACC to Support Healthy Practices in the Early Care and Education Setting"

The Journal of Nutrition: "Association of Breastfeeding Practices During the First 3 Months with Infant Sleep Trajectories: A Prospective Cohort Study"