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, fostering cooperation between diverse sectors, and increasing the credibility and often the impact of their efforts.
KBC’s definition of a breastfeeding coalition:
- Three (3) or more individuals 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
Tools for Local Coalitions:
- Toolkit for Kansas Local Breastfeeding Coalitions – checklist for effective coalitions, resources including links to community partner organizations, breastfeeding data, and financial information.
- Coalition Effectiveness Inventory
- Success Story from Lactancia Latina of Southwest Kansas (2023)
- How to Create a QR Code (Stephanie Henry, 2023)
- Community Action Kit for Protecting, Promoting, and Supporting Breastfeeding (Texas WIC) (assessment on page 27)
- Continuity of Care Tools
- Continuity of Breastfeeding Care – facilitated process to conduct a landscape analysis of breastfeeding support. Email info@ksbreastfeeding.org for more information.
- Coalition Technical Assistance Webinar Series (USBC, 2021)
- Coalition Resources (USBC) archived webinars and Coalitions Learning Community
- KBC Breastfeeding Friendly Self-Assessment Tool – 5-question organizational self-assessment
- From Outcome Challenge to Action Steps
- Stages of Coalition Development
- Creating Measurable Objectives Action Steps Worksheet
- Continuity of Care Assets & Gaps
- Action Plan Worksheet
- Take-Home Message
- Recorded Presentation from Local Coalition Sections Meeting (7/8/2021) Jennie Toland, BSN, RN, CLC, Ford County Breastfeeding Coalition Executive Director
Needs Assessment Tools:
- Seven Steps for Conducting a Successful Needs Assessment (NICHQ)
- Community Action Kit for Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding (Texas WIC) (assessment on page 27)
- Needs Assessment in Breastfeeding Programs
- Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (NACCHO) – strategic planning process
Calendar of Local Coalition Meetings – add your coalition’s meetings to this document and see when other coalitions are meeting
Financial Information:
- Online EIN Application– EIN # required for bank accounts and IRS 501(c)3 application
- Form 1023-EZ: Application for 501(c)3 status for organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less and assets of $250,000 or less; $400 application fee.
- Work Plan & Budget Alignments
- Grant Writing Tips– Brenda Bandy, Dr. Sarah Jolley, and Dr. Lisette Jacobson (Slides)
- Grant Writing Tips – Handout
- WABC Road to 501c3
Projects for Local Coalitions:
- Breastfeeding “911” Go Bags – Southeast KS Breastfeeding Coalition
- 2021 Breastfeeding Continuity of Care Blueprint (NACCHO)
- Strategies and Systems to Enhance Community Breastfeeding Support (ASTHO)
- Identifying the Gaps: Breastfeeding Support for Latinx Families in SW Kansas (2021)
- Improving Lactation Support & Continuity of Care: Strategy Examples (Illinois Public Health Institute)
- KBC Programs and Activities
- Recorded Sessions from the 2020 Kansas Breastfeeding Conference:
- Engaging Fathers to Support Breastfeeding (Wesley Bugg & Carl Route, ROBE)
- Coalition Building: A Statewide & Community Based Approach –Toolkit for Community Mural (Monica Esparza, New Mexico Breastfeeding Taskforce)
- Empowering & Partnering with Leaders in the African-American Community to Improve Breastfeeding Outcomes (Dr. Stacy Yeager)
- Creating a Blueprint for Continuity of Care and Breastfeeding (Emily Bernard, NACCHO)
Other resources:
- “Know Your Rights” poster – outlining breastfeeding rights in Kansas
- “Know Your 2” Breastfeeding Support Magnet (Version 1; Version 2; Version 3; Version 4)
- Employer Report – results of 2021 Kansas employer survey and best practices for supporting breastfeeding employees
- School Districts to implement lactation support program – training recording
- Food Pantries – Guidelines for Breastfeeding Friendly Food Pantries and Infographic “If you are Breastfeeding” for Families
- Hospitals – Discharge protocol assessment tool
- Swimming Pools and Breastfeeding Families (English & Spanish)
- Faith-based organizations:
- 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 the 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
Infographic Cards to Support Families During Emergencies (distribute through food pantries, shelters, etc.)
If You Are Chest/Breastfeeding Cards
If You Are Chest/Breastfeeding Cards (Spanish)
Local Breastfeeding Coalitions in Kansas may use images in the KBC image library for their materials. Please send requests, including descriptions of desired images, to info@ksbreastfeeding.org along with the name of your coalition. Additional images are available through the US Breastfeeding Committee Landscape of Breastfeeding Support Image Gallery
Social Media:
- Social Media Guidelines (K-State Extension, EFNEP)
- Social Media for Nonprofits (Hootsuite)
- Strategic Guide to Social Media for Nonprofits (Sprout)
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 CountyFord County Breastfeeding Coalition Bylaws
Agenda Template
Sign-in sheet
Chapter Meeting Sign-in Sheet (NMBFT)
Ford Co BF Coalition Roster
Photo Release
NMBTF Photo Release