|
Funding to attend the USBC National Breastfeeding Conference
The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is pleased to offer five stipends to pay registration fees to attend the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee's 2024 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening, hosted online on June 3-5, 2024. You can find Conference details HERE and Apply HERE. The deadline for submitting this application is April 10, 2024. Stipend awards will be announced on April 12, 2024. Priority will be given to:
- Members of the KBC Board of Directors
- Chairs of KBC Sections
- Leaders of Local Breastfeeding Coalitions in Kansas
| |
|
2024 Mini-Grants OPEN!
Eligible local breastfeeding coalitions in Kansas are invited to submit proposals for up to $2,000 to fund activities improving breastfeeding rates. Proposals must be submitted through the online application by 12:00 PM on May 1, 2024. Details are in the Request for Proposal HERE. Click here to apply.
| |
Partial funding for 2024 Mini-Grants comes from | |
|
KBC 2024 Road Trip Coming Your Way!
The KBC Executive Director and special guests will travel across Kansas in July. We want to hear about your community’s bright spots and challenges. Gather your breastfeeding coalition or organization, pick your favorite place to eat, and sign up for stop HERE
| |
|
Become a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist
A special opportunity is available in Kansas! It includes the online “Certified Breastfeeding Specialist” course through Lactation Education Resources and an in-person “skills day” on November 8th in Pittsburg, KS. The cost is only $350 (usually $675!). Space is limited to the first 20 people. Click here for details and registration.
| |
Via Christi St. Joseph in Wichita for being the only hospital in Kansas (so far!) to be accepted into the CHAMPS National Project. Hospitals receive free training and support from a diverse team of interdisciplinary experts to safely implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Interested in becoming a CHAMPS National Hospital? Enroll HERE. | |
|
New Cards Available
Newborn Warning Signs cards are available for free to order by organizations in Kansas. A Spanish version will be available soon. Find these and more supplies on the KBC online order form.
| |
|
Get ready for the next emPOWER Talk
May 10, 2024 | 12-1 p.m.
Supporting Breastfeeding Workers
Panelists:
- Makala Navarro – Human Resource Professional
- Jessica Lee – Center for WorkLife Law
- Jessica Goodman – Finney County Health Dept.
- Trini Murguia – Wage & Hour Division, U.S. Dept. of Labor
| |
|
New Survey Tool Available
With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Nutrition Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO), the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is using the platform "Rebel.Science" to host a brand-new survey tool. This simple and easy-to-use survey aims to support maternal and child health and First Food field stakeholders in getting timely and accurate data on infant feeding at the organizational, state, and national level. Click here for more information.
| |
|
Where We’ve Been:
- Exhibited at the Governor’s Public Health Conference, March 4-5, Wichita, KS
- Early Learning Advocacy Day at the Capitol, March 6, Topeka, KS
- Exhibited at Kansas Cancer Partnership Conference, March 7, Wichita, KS
- Presented Family Friendly Workplaces: PUMP Act & PWFA, Southeast Kansas Human Resource Association, March 21, Independence, KS
| |
Stephanie Henry, Thressa Cuin, and Brenda Bandy at the SEK HR Association meeting | |
|
Where We’re Going:
- Regional Hospital Lactation Skills Fairs, April 2-11, Topeka, Hays, Wichita, and Dodge City
- Billing Symposium, KS Association of Local Health Depts., April 3, Wichita
- Exhibiting at Kansas Head Start Association State Meeting, April 4, Salina
- Working Well Conference, Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita, April 11, Wichita, KS
- Exhibiting atCamp Growing with Children Child Care Conference, April 13, Wichita
- Synergy in Kansas: The Story of a State MCH Agency & a State and Local Breastfeeding Coalition, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs annual conference, April 16, Oakland, CA
- Exhibiting at the Kansas Association of Infant & Young Child Mental Health Conference, April 18-19, Overland Park
- Exhibiting at Kansas WIC conference, April 23-24, Wichita
- Exhibiting at the Kansas Parents as Teachers Association Conference, April 23-24, Salina
- Family Friendly Workplaces, Hays Society of Human Resource Management, May 8, Hays, KS
| |
|
Child Care
- 11 trainers from Child Care Aware of Kansas and KCCTO completed the train-the-trainer event conducted by Vanessa Flood. These trainers can now offer in-person training for “How to Support Breastfeeding Mother and Family.” Online training is still available through KCCTO (Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities).
- The KBC provided breastfeeding flyers to be included in the Child Start Growing with Children conference, which will be held on April 14th. The KBC will also have a table at the event.
-
36 programs in 24 communities around the state have received the “Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Designation.” For more information about the designation and resources for child care providers, click here.
- The continued conversation about the proposed KDHE Child Care Licensing Regulations and including language around the storage and handling of breast milk.
The Child Care Section meets on the 3rd Tuesday of odd months from 12-1. Join HERE.
Hospitals
- We have started doing Hospital Spotlights again on our calls. They have been helpful in learning what other facilities are doing to support breastfeeding.
-
We have also created "Infant Warning Signs" cards for mothers. These cards work in conjunction with the Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative Fourth Trimester Initiative POST BIRTH Warning Signs. Order HERE (Spanish version coming soon.)
- There will be four Lactation Skills Fair days in different locations throughout Kansas in April.
- The Lactation Billing Cohort is available to discuss billing questions for hospitals and health departments monthly.
The Hospital Section meets on the 4th Thursday of odd months from 12-1. Join HERE.
Local Coalitions
The Coalition Section has had several productive discussions at recent meetings, including:
- The history of the Topeka Breastfeeding Coalition presented by Donna Wiens, with ideas and inspiration for coalition sustainability and member engagement.
- Coalition structure and leadership: Do you need officers, bylaws, or mission and vision statements?
- CSB Plus Designation Criteria and ideas for utilizing the 2024 Mini-Grant RFP
- Project ideas from the KBC Tools for Local Coalitions page, as well as inspiration from identified gaps in breastfeeding support and the CDC Breastfeeding Report Card.
The Local Coalition Section meets on the second Thursday of odd months from 12-1 via Zoom. Join HERE.
Public Health
- Discussed ways organizations can support breastfeeding per the Continuity of Breastfeeding Care recommendations, such as requiring lactation education for staff, increasing access to training, integrating curriculum into health programs, improving access for lactation supporters of color, and establishing consistent messaging across agencies.
- Shared favorite tools and resources for breastfeeding support like Coffective, KBC materials, lactation education resources, First Droplet, USDA WIC materials, and CDC resources.
- Initiated a 2024 Spotlight Series on home visiting programs in Kansas, including presentations from Nurse-Family Partnership, Early Head Start, Healthy Families Kansas, MCH Home Visiting, MIECHV, and Parents as Teachers.
- Discussed challenges like language barriers and missing new moms who need breastfeeding support in smaller counties. Suggested creating a form for pregnant moms to establish relationships with local lactation support providers.
-
Lactation Billing Cohort: Local Health Department meetings during odd # months were developed to discuss billing for lactation services.
The Public Health section meets on the 3rd Thursday of even months from 11-12. Join HERE.
| | |
|
Are you ready for Spring? Find apparel and more at the KBC Store.
| | | |
|
KBC Vision: Breastfeeding/human milk feeding is normal and supported throughout Kansas.
| | |
Like what you read? Please consider making a donation to support the continued work of the KBC. | |
See what's happening on our social sites: | | | | |
