Local health departments play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding families in Kansas communities.

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition and Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recognize and celebrate local health departments that are leading the way in this work through the Breastfeeding Friendly Local Health Department designation.   

Breastfeeding Friendly Local Health Departments:

To be considered for this designation, please complete the following short application. Local health departments must meet all criteria to receive the designation. To be eligible for this designation, local health departments must be listed in KDHE Local Health Department Directory.

Application

PDF of Application (for planning purposes)

Resources to aid in achieving the designation (PDF)

Criteria:

Criteria #1: Community Engagement – One or more staff members from the LHD regularly attend the meetings of the local breastfeeding coalition.

• Local Coalitions Directory
• Definition of a local breastfeeding coalition:
  • Three (3) or more individuals who meet at least quarterly for the purpose of improving breastfeeding support in their community.
  • At least two (2) organizations or agencies participate in the coalition.
  • Has been meeting for at least six (6) months

Criteria #2: Referral System – The LHD has a written agreement or referral form with the hospital(s) where the majority of clients give birth to be notified within 1-2 days of when clients give birth.

• Sample Agreement
• Sample Referral Form

Criteria #3: Staff Education – All staff who are more than 50% full-time have completed the required staff education (view 3-5 minute video) and signed a statement to that effect.

• Breastfeeding Friendly Local Health Department Staff Education Video (also available on KS-TRAIN, Course ID: 1102423)
• Staff Education Attestation

Criteria #4: Welcoming Environment for Breastfeeding Families – LHD :

• Is enrolled in the Breastfeeding Welcome Here program and displays BWH window decal(s) and table tent(s) in client rooms and public spaces.
• LHD provides a private space for parents who desire privacy when breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or expressing milk. (May be the same space used by breastfeeding employees who need to express milk during the workday.) Examples of private spaces for lactation
• Images of breastfeeding/chestfeeding families are racially and ethnically diverse and are displayed in multiple public spaces in the LHD. The international symbol for breastfeeding should be used in place of infant bottles.
  • “Know Your Rights” poster – outlining breastfeeding rights in Kansas
  • WIC Image Gallery 
  • Examples of racially and ethnically diverse breast/chestfeeding images
  • International Symbol for Breastfeeding
• Infant formula or formula marketing materials are not displayed or stored in a place visible to the public or clients.

Criteria #5: Support of Breastfeeding Employees – LHD has received the Gold Level “Breastfeeding Employee Support Award” from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition.

”Breastfeeding Employee Support Award” Application

Criteria #6: Prenatal Breastfeeding Education – LHD provides prenatal breastfeeding education or referrals to all families.

• KBC Online Prenatal Breastfeeding Education Resources
• The KBC also has a prenatal breastfeeding education curriculum available upon request. Requests may be submitted to info@ksbreastfeeding.org.

Criteria #7: Breastfeeding Support – LHD provides services or referrals for culturally congruent lactation support from a credentialed provider OR peer support person with required education.

Culturally congruent online support groups:

• African American Families
• Native American Families
• Lista de Recursos sobre Lactancia Materna en Espanol (List of Breastfeeding Resources in Spanish)

Staff education:

• KBC Breastfeeding 101 & 201 Classes
• U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Lactation Support Provider Descriptor Table

KS Population Demographics

To be eligible for this designation, local health departments must be listed in KDHE Local Health Department Directory

The Breastfeeding Friendly Local Health Department designation was developed by the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition in partnership with Wichita State University through the support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment