Local health departments (LHD) play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding families in Kansas. The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (KBC) and WSU Community Engagement Institute, in partnership with KDHE, have created a new designation to recognize and celebrate LHDs that are leading the way in supporting breastfeeding.

Achieving the Breastfeeding Friendly LHD designation means the LHD has met eight criteria for breastfeeding support. Those earning the new Breastfeeding Friendly LHD designation will be promoted as leaders in breastfeeding support. This new designation is another way LHDs can showcase their family-focused and evidence-based approach to public health.

One of the criteria is to have received KBC’s “Breastfeeding Employee Support Award”, which many LHDs have already done. These health departments are on their way to achieving the Breastfeeding Friendly LHD designation, which recognizes the support of breastfeeding clients throughout the LHD. The application will take about 20 minutes to complete once the required documents are gathered. There are eight questions, and most are checkboxes or file uploads.

More information HERE.