 | Weekly Wire: February 10, 2022 The Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire e-Newsletter is a compendium of news, actions, and resources considered to be of interest or relevance to the breastfeeding field. The newsletter aims to support the USBC mission "To drive collaborative efforts for policy and practices that create a landscape of breastfeeding support across the United States." Included items are submitted for consideration or identified by the USBC e-news team via extensive online review. Whenever possible, the newsletter utilizes language directly from the primary source of an item without additional analysis or edits. In some cases, the USBC offers additional perspectives through the "USBC Insights," media and partner highlights, and the "News & Views" section. Inclusion of an item in the e-newsletter does not imply endorsement or support by the USBC of an item or organization, unless specifically noted. | | In this Issue: - USBC Conference Corner
- USBC Updates
- Federal Budget Negotiations Underway: Share Your District's Breastfeeding Report
- Webinar Replay: Foundations of Data Equity
- Conference Session Replay: Advocating for Equity
- USBC Mailing Address Change
- Just in Time for Valentine's Day, Celebrate Our Collective Wins!
- Special Section on Black History Month
- International News
- Webinar Launching Formula Milk Marketing Report, summarized from WHO/UNICEF
- National News
- DEMAND Act Introduced, summarized from Congress
- 'Big Push for PWFA' Campaign Toolkit, summarized from A Better Balance
- Webinar on FMLA and Working Women, summarized from DOL
- REACH Program Awards, summarized from CDC
- Award Application for Outstanding Nonprofit Women, summarized from Nonprofit HR
- News & Views
 denotes a USBC member organization news item  denotes a USBC-affiliated constellation news item | | | |  | USBC Conference Corner: Demanding PSE Changes Learning Arc The Staying Abreast: Weekly Wire now includes a recurring "Conference Corner" feature highlighting an aspect of the upcoming USBC conference. The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee will host the National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening online June 7-9, with the theme Pathfinders: Honoring Lactation Wisdom & Innovation. This week's Conference Corner highlights the "Demanding Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes to Realize Our Vision of Thriving Families and Communities" learning arc. Are you working to influence the policies, systems, and environments that impact families? Have you advocated for laws in your city or state that positively impact infant feeding outcomes? Did you work with community members, and your state or local government on a National Breastfeeding Month proclamation? What projects is your coalition or organization working on that aim to support infant feeding and families? We want to hear from you! Explore all the conference learning arcs, objectives, and proposal submission resources. Please note, the deadline to submit a proposal has been extended by one week, to Wednesday, February 23. | | | | USBC Updates Federal Budget Negotiations Underway: Share Your District's Breastfeeding Report The Fiscal Year 2021 federal budget is set to expire on February 18. This week a continuing resolution was introduced which would extend the deadline to March 11. This would give policymakers additional time to negotiate an omnibus spending package containing the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills. The CDC Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program is included in the Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations bill. The House bill for FY22 includes level funding of $9.5M while the Senate bill includes $10.5M. The next few weeks will be extremely important for securing that additional $1 million for the field. The USBC launched a series of reports featuring data on breastfeeding rates, disparities, maternity care practices, WIC performance measures, as well as state and community-based projects made possible through federal funding in 2020. These reports are an impactful way to demonstrate why federal funding is so important for babies and families. Use our new action tools to share your state or territory's report directly with your elected officials. Please take action using the tool that aligns with the first letter of your state or territory. - States and territories beginning with the letters A through I (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois
Indiana, Iowa) - States and territories beginning with the letters K though N (Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands)
- States and territories beginning with the letters O through W (Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming)
| | | | Webinar Replay: Foundations of Data Equity The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is hosting a replay of the "Foundations of Data Equity" presentation on February 10, at 7 p.m. ET. In the session, Heather Krause from We All Count shared about the importance of equity in data science and how it can inform and impact organizational efforts. Please share this complimentary learning opportunity with colleagues, coalition members, and partners that you think could benefit from the presentation. Neither recording or slides will be shared, so come prepared to take notes. Conference Session Replay: Advocating for Equity Join the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee on Tuesday, February 15, from 12-1:30 p.m. ET for a replay of the 2021 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening (NBCC) plenary session titled "Transforming the Landscape: Advocating for Equity," presented by Brenda Reyes (HealthConnect One), Wendy Fung (Asian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Taskforce), and Cheryl Lebedevitch (U.S. Breastfeeding Committee). In this facilitated conversation, panelists discussed how shifting the policy, systems, and environmental factors that surround families can improve access to lactation support, advance equity, and create population-level changes. This replay is a great way to get a feel for what you can expect at the 2022 National Breastfeeding Conference & Convening. Please share this complimentary learning opportunity with colleagues, coalition members, and partners. USBC Mailing Address Change The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee has a new mailing address! Although our team continues to work remotely from across the country, our mailing address has changed. Please address future mail and packages to: U.S. Breastfeeding Committee
1629 K Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC, 20006 Just in Time for Valentine's Day, Celebrate Our Collective Wins! | | The USBC is thrilled to have released a second limited-edition mug design, with proceeds supporting legislative efforts. The design spells out "TOGETHER WE DO GREAT THINGS" in USBC jewel-tone colors, and is a celebration of how, by working together, we can accomplish meaningful, population-level change for our nation's families, mothers, and babies! The greater together design is available in a range of mug styles, sizes, and colors. Get yours today! This limited-edition opportunity is only available through Tuesday, February 15. | | | | | | Special Section on Black History Month February is Black History Month! This observance honors the rich heritage and diversity of African Americans and presents an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the individuals and organizations from across the country working to make a difference for Black families and communities. - Blacktation Diaries: Dr. Ifeyinwa Asiodu is sharing daily updates on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The annual Blacktation Diaries campaign celebrates Black International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and lactation support providers during Black History Month and Black Breastfeeding Week.
- BreastfeedLA: BreastfeedLA is hosting a webinar titled "Black Women Breastfeed Too: Past, Present, and Future," on Thursday, February 17, at 1 p.m. ET. Speaker Shamiesha Ebhotemen will present a look at chest/breastfeeding in Black communities in a historical context. She will also introduce HERstory, a non-profit dedicated to the support of Black families in their chest/breastfeeding journey.
- Jackson State University: Jackson State University, College of Health Sciences, is hosting a free, two-day virtual conference focused on improving breastfeeding among Black women. The first day, "Love and Support for Moms, Babies and Their Advocates," will be held Thursday, February 17, and the second day, "Breastfeeding: Nutrition and Wellness Conversations for Mothers and their Advocates," will be held Thursday, March 24.
- TFAH: Trust for America's Health published an informational webpage titled "Black History Month 2022: Policy Action to Support Black Health and Wellness." The webpage includes resources and policy recommendations to advance health equity, including establishing a national paid family and medical leave program and strengthening programs that support families with young children.
- USBC: The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee published the "Black History Month Tools & Resources" informational webpage featuring Black History Month materials, resources for Black families and lactation support providers, featured presentations, and beyond.
Black History Month News & Views: | | | | | | International News Webinar Launching Formula Milk Marketing Report, summarized from WHO/UNICEF The World Health Organization and UNICEF are hosting a webinar titled "Marketing the $55 Billion Formula Milk Industry," on Wednesday, February 23. Speakers on the webinar will launch a new report that draws on the experiences of over 8,500 women and 300 health professionals across eight countries. The report exposes the aggressive marketing practices used by the formula milk industry, and highlights impacts on families' decisions about how to feed their babies and young children. There will be two sessions of the webinar: | | | | | | National News DEMAND Act Introduced, summarized from Congress Representative Underwood (D-IL-15), Representative Katko (R-NY-24), Senator Duckworth (D-IL), and Senator Tillis (R-NC) have introduced the DEMAND Act of 2022 (Delivering Essentials to Mothers Amid Natural Disasters Act) (H.R. 6555). The bill would ensure that lactation support services and supplies are eligible expenses for emergency assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Read the press release, including a quote from USBC Executive Director, Nikia Sankofa. Media highlights include: 'Big Push for PWFA' Campaign Toolkit, summarized from A Better Balance A Better Balance, in partnership with the other members of the PWFA coalition, released a social media toolkit for the "Big Push for PWFA" campaign, a series of digital actions during the weeks of February 7 and 14 to urge policymakers to prioritize the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The PWFA would ensure reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The social media toolkit features sample social media posts, graphics, and resources to make participation easy. Webinar on FMLA and Working Women, summarized from DOL The Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, is hosting a webinar titled "FMLA at 29–What's the Impact for Working Women?" on Friday, February 11, from 1-2 p.m. ET. Speakers will discuss research that shows working families have a critical need for paid family and medical leave and how gaps in national paid leave programs lead to economic inequality. REACH Program Awards, summarized from CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opened applications for the 2022 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity Challenge. The REACH Lark Award Challenge recognizes extraordinary individuals and organizations, or community coalitions associated with the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. The award recipient will have meaningfully assisted with and carried out culturally tailored interventions that advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and increase community engagement to address preventable health risks. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 18. Award Application for Outstanding Nonprofit Women, summarized from Nonprofit HR Nonprofit HR opened applications for the "2022 Outstanding Nonprofit Women to Watch." They will recognize ten women across North America who have made significant contributions to nonprofits, associations, foundations, social enterprises and the communities they serve. The deadline to nominate someone for the award (including self-nomination) is Friday, February 18. | | | | | | | | | | | |
