.png)
Awards
Our Anderson, Allen and Woodson County Health Departments have achieved the Local Breastfeeding Friendly Health Department designation!
Investing in breastfeeding support is truly an investment in the future. It’s about fostering an environment where every mother feels valued, every child gets the best possible start, and the entire community benefits from improved health outcomes. As more health departments across Kansas strive for this designation, we are moving closer to a state where breastfeeding is universally supported and celebrated.
I
This achievement demonstrates the incredible outcomes possible when a community unites to support its mothers. They have met the seven criteria for the Breastfeeding Friendly Local Health Department, which include community engagement, staff education, referral systems, and client support. They are also making additional investments to ensure culturally competent lactation care and integrate diversity and equity through representative materials and imagery.
​
A statement from the KBC: "We want to shine the spotlight on local health departments that have prioritized breastfeeding support," says Susan Lukwago, Chair of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Board of Directors.
​
Local health departments across Kansas are encouraged to achieve the Breastfeeding Friendly Local Health Department designation to increase their capacity and effectiveness in providing families with breastfeeding support. More information is available at https://ksbreastfeeding.org/breastfeeding-friendly-local.../.
​
The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is a non-profit 501(c) 3 working collaboratively to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding to improve Kansas families' health and well-being.
​
If you want more information about this topic or to schedule an interview with Brenda Bandy, call (785) 477-4666 or email bbandy@ksbreastfeeding.org.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this achievement and to the continued support of breastfeeding families across our state!
All of our offices have received the Gold Level “Breastfeeding Employees Support Award” from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition and its Business Case for Breastfeeding program.
​
The award is based on proven and established standards to benefit employers and employees. It recognizes businesses that provide support services to their breastfeeding employees, to include education as well as the time and space for employees to nurse and/or pump breastmilk at their workplace. The award, the top ranking of three sponsored by the Coalition, was presented by Brenda Bandy, Executive Director of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition.
​
According to Bandy, the SEK Multi-County Health Department received the award for achieving a high level of support to their employees as outlined in the Coalition’s criteria. She said they provide a “gold level” pumping room, allow flexible time to pump, and have a written policy of breastfeeding support.
​
Pointing out that many breastfeeding mothers abandon breastfeeding when they return to work because they lack the support and appropriate facilities at their place of employment, Bandy said, “We want to help change that unfortunate situation”. She cited research showing that adequate support for breastfeeding employee’s benefits businesses through savings in health care expenses, reduced turnover rates, lower absenteeism, and increased employee loyalty. Employers that have established support services for breastfeeding employees have reported a $3 for $1 return on investment plus realizing a more productive working environment.
​
"Many Kansas employers recognize the benefits of supporting their breastfeeding employees. We want to shine the spotlight on as many employers as we can for doing their part to make returning to work while breastfeeding easier in hopes that will encourage more businesses to follow suit," says Stephanne Rupnicki, Chair of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Board of Directors.
​
Businesses that provide support services for their breastfeeding employees can be considered for a “Breastfeeding Employees Support Award” at the bronze, silver and gold levels. Applications are available at http://www.kansasbusinesscase.com/for.../employer_awards .
​
The Business Case for Breastfeeding is a program to assist employers in developing or enhancing support services for their breastfeeding employees. The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is a non-profit 501(c) 3 with the mission of working collaboratively to promote and protect breastfeeding in order to improve the health of Kansas families.
Holly Fritter
MCH Supervisor / Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor
(620) 223-4464
Holly@sekmchd.com