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NEW Funding Opportunity - Illinois Department of Public Health

We Choose Health is a multi-year effort to encourage and to support population-based obesity and tobacco prevention in Illinois communities. This initiative invites applications from eligible local government entities, school systems, community organizations, and coalitions ready to take on this important work for the health of our state and its residents.

Click here for details, application materials and upcoming webinar information.

Menu of Funding Options Pertaining to Breastfeeding

Strategic Direction: Healthy Eating and Active Living

2. Baby Friendly Hospitals

Commit to pursuing implementation of the 10‐Step Baby Friendly Hospital program as defined by the World Health Organization.

3. Worksite Wellness

Commit to implementing a menu of worksite wellness policies, including those that encourage healthy eating and greater physical activity. (Note that worksite wellness may incorporate breastfeeding--‐supportive environments, healthy vending, and smoke--‐free policies.)

Key Dates

Friday, May 4, 2012 - RFA release date

Thursday, May 10, 2012, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. CDT - RFA information session

Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. CDT - RFA information session

Friday, May 18, 2012 - Letter of Intent due by 5 p.m. CDT

Friday, June 15, 2012 - Proposals due by 5 p.m. CDT

Friday, July 13, 2012* - Notification of awards

Monday-Friday, July 16-20, 2012* - Contract negotiations

Monday-Friday, June 23-27, 2012* - Kickoff call with awardees

Eligibility

Proposed projects must take place and impact communities within Illinois excluding Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, and Kane counties. Eligible applicants include:

Local health departments
Hospitals
Health care foundations
Community health care centers
Community-based organizations
Non-profits
Private associations
Faith-based organizations
Volunteer organizations
Organizations serving youth
Organizations serving underserved communities
Established community/government partnerships

Take Action Today

If you want to take action NOW to support, advocate and educate on the benefits of breastfeeding in your own workplace or community, here are some ideas:

With hospitals or health professionals

Find out if your local hospital is one of the 2600 facilities that received a March 2012 letter which begins, "We strongly urge you to immediately discontinue the distribution of commercial infant formula manufacturer discharge bags in your facility..." and then find out how you can support this Public Citizen campaign to keep infant formula marketing out of your facility for good!

If you work in a hospital, please take a moment to review (and share!) these Maternity Care Practices which Make a Difference for Breastfeeding - and these Provider Resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Chapter.

If you are satisfied or you are not satisfied with your personal breastfeeding experience while in the hospital, please let the hospital administration know. Encourage others to do the same. The Illinois State Breastfeeding Task Force offers sample letters for those who are pleased or disappointed.

Ask questions of your healthcare provider! Encourage others to ask questions, such as:

1. What kind of lactation support do you provide, in the hospital and afterwards?

2. What are the breastfeeding policies?

3. Has this hospital adopted any Baby Friendly Steps?

Check out the Illinois Hospital Report Card to see how your hospital rates in breastfeeding support and caesarean rates, and encourage others to do the same. To check breastfeeding rates for a single hospital, click on the "Safety" tab for that hospital's report card.

Within state or local government

Educate state lawmakers about breastfeeding and promote reimbursement of breastfeeding support through SR170, which was adopted May 12, 2011 in the Illinois State Senate!

Visit the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition to find your Senator and his/her contact information. You can also contact Kathy Chan at IMCHC for more information or to report any feedback you receive.

Familiarize yourself with the Illinois Breastfeeding Laws, and inform mothers about their breastfeeding rights!

- Public Act 094-0391: Exempts nursing mothers from jury service (Effective Jan 1, 2006)

- Public Act 093-0942: The Right to Breastfeed Act (Effective 2004)

- Public Act 92-0068: Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act (Effective 2001)

- Breastfeeding is Not Indecency (Effective 1995)

To request Illinois law posters and law cards, please contact: info@illinoisbreastfeeding.org.

Talk to your local politicians! Ask them to support mothers and babies through programs and bills that include breastfeeding! In particular, ask them to prioritize funding for breastfeeding in populations with the highest disparities, including African-American and low-income communities.

For community-based and faith-based organizations

Encourage your members to become breastfeeding peer counselors. Peer counselor training is often available through WIC and possibly through other organizations in your community.

Within workplaces

Educate employers about Illinois Breastfeeding Laws, and the importance of lactation support programs. Workplace resources are available through the U.S. Office on Women's Health.

For more information, or to share what happened when you took action, please contact us!