Why local breastfeeding coalitions?

Local breastfeeding coalitions bring individuals and organizations together. They enable women, families, and community members to share ideas, break institutional and cultural barriers, and solve problems related to breastfeeding, in addition to empowering and educating the public. By working together, coalitions can conserve resources by reducing duplication and sharing expenses, foster cooperation between diverse sectors, and increase the credibility and often the impact of their efforts.

Starting a Local Breastfeeding Coalition

Interested in starting a local breastfeeding coalition but don’t know where to start? The KBC can help! The KBC can facilitate a local coalition “start-up” meeting. See agenda and invitation template for a coalition start-up meeting. Contact Brenda Bandy at bbandy@ksbreastfeeding.org for more information about scheduling a start-up meeting in your community.

Resources for starting a local coalition:

• Toolkit for Kansas Local Breastfeeding Coalitions (pdf) – checklist for effective coalitions, resources including links to community partner organizations, breastfeeding data and financial information.
• Kansas Local Breastfeeding Coalitions Needs Assessment Survey (2019)
• Tom Wolff’s Coalition Building Tools
• Coalition Building 101

Sample Mission & Vision Statements:

Examples from KS Coalitions
Mission Statement Handout
Vision Statement Handout 

Sample Coalition Documents:

Bylaws
Breastfeeding Coalition of Douglas County
Ford County Breastfeeding Coalition Bylaws

Agenda Template
Chapter Meeting Template (NMBTF)
FCBC November Agenda
FCBC January Agenda

Sign-in sheet
Chapter Meeting Sign-in Sheet (NMBFT)
Ford Co BF Coalition Roster

Photo Release
NMBTF Photo Release

Projects for Local Coalition:

KBC Programs and Activities
Toolkit for Community Mural

Working with local school district to implement lactation support program – training recording

Food Pantries – Guidelines for Breastfeeding Friendly Food Pantries
Breastfeeding Tents in Public Events
LATCH Baby Rest Stop (Tent)
NWKS BF Coalition Tent Agreement (with picture inventory)
PABC Swag Bag Info
Project Ideas from Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition
Putting your float in parade – round-table 2014
Building Sustainable Lactation Support Projects through Policy, Systems & Environmental Change – Nikia Sankofa, NACCHO (Slides)

Community Engagement Ideas:

Community Engagement Ideas – 2016 KBC Coalitions Conference
Community Engagement Strategies – 2014 KBC Coalitions Conference
Community Engagement and Meeting Overview Handout
Find local WIC agency contact person

Tools for Local Coalitions:

• Community Action Kit for Protecting, Promoting, and Supporting Breastfeeding (Texas WIC)
• Continuity of Care Tools
• Continuity of Breastfeeding Care – facilitated meeting to conduct a landscape analysis of breastfeeding support in the community, facilitate by KBC staff. Contact Brenda Bandy at bbandy@ksbreastfeeding.org for more information.
• Coalition Resources from the United States Breastfeeding Committee– includes webinars and Coalitions Learning Community
• Breastfeeding Friendly Self-Assessment Tool – Organizational self-assessment for support of breastfeeding families
• From Outcome Challenge to Action Steps
• The Lost Art of Breastfeeding – video from pediatrician Dr. Todd Wolynn
• Needs Assessment in Breastfeeding Programs
• Work Plan & Budget Alignments
• Stages of Coalition Development
• Creating Measurable Objectives Action Steps Worksheet
• Blank Meeting Agenda
• Feeling Word Vocabulary
• Continuity of Care Assets & Gaps
• Action Plan Worksheet
• Take Home Message
• Feeling Word Cards – Coalition
• Feeling Word Cards – Mother

Financial Forms & Information:

• Online EIN Application– EIN # required for bank accounts and IRS 501(c)3 application
• Form 1023-EZ:  Application for 501(c)3 status from the IRS.  For organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less and assets of $250,000 or less are eligible. $400 application fee.
• Grant Writing Tips– Brenda Bandy, Dr. Sarah Jolley and Dr. Lisette Jacobson (Slides)
• Grant Writing Tips – Handout