Smith Co. breastfeeding coalition awarded state grant

News release

MANHATTAN — With a goal of supporting breastfeeding families throughout Kansas, seven local breastfeeding coalitions received funding totaling over $10,000 from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Mini-Grant Initiative.

The following local breastfeeding coalition projects received funding from the KBC:

• Black Breastfeeding Coalition of Topeka – Train local child care providers in how to support the breastfeeding family

• Community Breastfeeding Coalition of Finney County - Assist local health department to achieve the “Breastfeeding Friendly Local Health Department” designation

• Ford County Breastfeeding Coalition – Assist Ford County to achieve the “Community Supporting Breastfeeding Plus” designation

• Lactancia Latina of Southwest Kansas – Billboard promoting workers’ rights to lactation accommodations in the workplace

• Saline County Breastfeeding Coalition – Increase access to skilled lactation support providers

• Smith County Breastfeeding Coalition – Open a walk-in breastfeeding “boutique” with breastfeeding supplies

• Wichita Area Breastfeeding Coalition – Assist local large employer to achieve the Gold “Breastfeeding Employee Support Award”

Breastfeeding provides immediate and lifelong nutrition and health benefits for mother and child, as well as larger economic, environmental and social benefits to families and communities. It is estimated suboptimal breastfeeding rates are costing Kansas $26 million each year in medical costs alone.

“Nearly 90% of families in Kansas choose to breastfeed,” said Stephanne Rupnicki, Chair of the KBC Board of Directors. “Breastfeeding is important to the health and wellbeing of both the mother and the child, and we are excited to work with these local coalitions to build communities where families can be supported in their decision to breastfeed.”

If Kansas is to realize the long-term benefits of breastfeeding, communities need to work together. All grantees will work in coordination with health care systems, health care providers, public health professionals and community efforts.

ABOUT THE KANSAS BREASTFEEDING COALITION

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) is a state-wide nonprofit organization. With a mission to improve the health and well-being of Kansans by working collaboratively to promote, protect and support breastfeeding, KBC envisions a state where breastfeeding is normal and supported. To achieve this, KBC focuses its work on improving policies, systems and environments to remove barriers to breastfeeding.