Workplace Lactation Support Mini-Grant

Overview

The District of Columbia Breastfeeding Coalition (DCBFC) and Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) announce an area-wide initiative to increase the number of businesses that provide lactation support to breastfeeding employees. The Business Case for Breastfeeding is part of a nation-wide emphasis of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau aimed at encouraging women to breastfeed their infants for a longer duration after they return to work. DCBFC and MBC were selected by HHS to implement the project. DCBFC and MBC are offering mini-grant awards in the amount of up to $300 to 10 worksites throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia that are interested in creating or improving lactation support policies and programs at their workplace.

Background

Women with infants and children below age three are the fastest growing segment of today's labor force. At least 50% of women who are employed when they become pregnant return to the labor force by the time their child is three months old. Given the substantial presence of mothers working outside the home, there is a strong need to establish lactation support in the workplace.

Although breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for the infant, employers benefit from encouraging breastfeeding also. By allowing women to continue to breastfeed at the workplace the employer will be creating positive employee results such as lower absenteeism, higher productivity, high company loyalty, high employee morale, and lower heath care costs among their employees.

On December 7, 2007, DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the "Child's Right to Nurse Human Rights Amendment Act of 2007" (Bill B17-0133). The Law states that: "An employer shall provide reasonable daily unpaid break-time, as required by an employee so she may express breast milk for her child; and an employer shall make reasonable efforts to provide a sanitary room or other location in close proximity to the work area, other than a bathroom or toilet stall, where an employee can express her breast milk in privacy and security."

More recently, this requirement was reinforced nationally with the passage of the Healthcare Reform Law (see Section 4207).

These mini-grants are available to help fund an employer's ability to meet this requirement.

Priority Area:

Women who wish to continue to breastfeed after returning to work have few and simple needs. DCBFC/MBC will consider funding businesses that desire to:

• Create a convenient, safe, private and comfortable lactation environment for expressing or breastfeeding working women
• Create and implement policies that will support lactating women in the workplace
• Create and implement support programs for lactating women in the workplace

Applications should address the above priority areas through creative, original approaches. For example, an employer may want to purchase portable partitions, a small refrigerator, a breast pump or other supplies, or perhaps paint to improve an existing area. Applicants must be recommended by a "Business Case for Breastfeeding" partner. To find one of the trained partners in your area, please contact bizcase@dcbfc.org

Availability of Funds:

DCBFC and MBC will fund a minimum of 10 proposals (4 in DC/4 in MD/2 in Northern Virginia) for a maximum of $300 each. Additional proposals will be considered as funds allow. Applicants must show an in-kind or matching funding equal to the amount requested. In-kind may be in the form of staff time/salary worked on the project. Funding for programs/projects will conclude on March 1, 2011. Project timelines must reflect this time frame.

Application Process:

Please complete the application and budget according to specifications.

Completed proposals must be received electronically only, no later than 5:00 PM, December 15, 2010.

Proposals will be considered on a case-by-case basis but only if all sections of the application form are complete according to specifications. Notice of awards will be made within 30 days of receipt of an application. All funds must be expended by March 1, 2011.

Reporting Requirements:

Awardees will be required to submit a brief report and/or photograph (jpeg files only) demonstrating completion of the project goals. This report will be due no later than March 1, 2011. Receipt of DCBFC/MBC funding will be contingent on timely submission of this report. Failure to do so will result in discontinuation of funds as determined by the DCBFC/MBC Business Case for Breastfeeding Planning Team. Reports and photographs should be sent to info@dcbfc.org.