We are excited to share that MIBFN team member, Millie Pruchnic, has been promoted to MIBFN Communications Manager. Millie joined our team in 2016 as Communications Specialist and lead designer for all MIBFN materials. She brings with her more than 16 years of graphic design and marketing experience. Congratulations, Millie! To learn more about our team members, click here. https://www.mibreastfeeding.org/about/team/
Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) introduces its Blueprint for Breastfeeding Coalition Building. The Blueprint intends to create transparency around MIBFN’s efforts to serve as a leader in breastfeeding coalition building throughout our state. This document outlines the ways in which MIBFN has chosen to collaborate with community partners to advance breastfeeding outcomes. Breastfeeding systems change is necessary in order to advance public health outcomes and create a society in which breastfeeding is fully supported by policy and not just intention. Change…
Check out our amazing Community Partners in Flint as part of our MIBFN 310 Connect Project. These partners continue to do amazing work with Flint’s families and most vulnerable citizens. This Collective Impact initiative, in partnership with the Greater Flint Community Foundation, aims to continue improving health and neurodevelopment outcomes in the Flint area through increased breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates, using an approach that engages hospital birthing centers and community partners with consistent messaging and shared measurement.
Hospitals are an integral partner in consistent, evidence-based breastfeeding messages for families within the maternity care setting. Coffective is conducting coaching calls with hospitals throughout the state of Michigan. The purpose of the hospital coaching calls is to learn about successes and challenges, provide sustainable guidance and technical assistance for quality improvement related to breastfeeding, and encourage collaborative activities with WIC such as joint task force meetings, regular touch-bases, and sharing of resources. If you have a partnership with your…
We’re proud to feature our contacts this month, from InterCare Community Health Network in Grand Haven! Anna Johnstone has 24 years of experience as a WIC nutritionist/CPA and been a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) since 2005. For the last 13 years she has worked at InterCare Community Health Network in the Grand Haven WIC clinic. Lori McCabe, RN CLC, Becky Shanahan, BSN, ANLC, IBCLC, and Beth Curley, RN, IBCLC, work on the Birthing Unit at North Ottawa Community Hospital (NOCH).…
MIBFN seeks new board members to play a critical role in building an organization that prioritizes, supports, and invests in diversity, inclusion, and equity. As advocates of public health, we believe that all social-sector organizations are better equipped to address complex social issues with board governance that reflects the communities it serves. Experience within the following realms, including professional expertise, cultural background, and life experience, is desired: financial, legal, human resources, non-profit leadership, community engagement, collaborative driven work, and parenting.…
MIBFN makes end-of-year gift giving quick and easy plus it gives you a chance to support breastfeeding, which has a positive impact on all families throughout our state. The MIBFN Zazzle Store has many items available for holiday gift giving and proceeds from every sale benefit breastfeeding advocacy efforts in Michigan. The MIBFN collection of breastfeeding gifts is fun, timely, and enlightened, and your purchase helps to advance efforts for a breastfeeding-supportive culture throughout our state. Find everything on your…
Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) introduces its newest advocacy campaign in support of systems-level change. “Breastfeeding and Disaster Readiness” provides tools for equitable distribution of resources and access to breastfeeding support during times of crisis. The newly released toolkit consists of eight elements, all available at www.mibreastfeeding.org/disaster-ready: Make Breastfeeding Part of Your Disaster Readiness Plan poster How to Hand Express Magnet and Poster FAQ Sheet: Breastfeeding is Disaster Readiness Breastfeeding and Lead Exposure Issue Statement and Recommendations Sample template for a…
Contacts: Rebecca Campau, RN, IBCLC, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, Kathy Bladow, BSN, RN, WIC Coordinator, and Carley Elliott, WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Why is St. Clair County WIC a Maternity Care “Shining Star”? St. Clair County WIC is a model for maternity-care community building. In her dual role as Chair of the newly established St. Clair County Breastfeeding Coalition and WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, Rebecca has worked hard to incorporate all of their key maternity care partners into meaningful and dynamic conversations…
Congratulations to Breastfeed Macomb the winner in our joint MIBFN local coalition fundraiser! Breastfeed Macomb surpassed their goal, raising $1,106.00 during the month of August in honor of breastfeeding awareness month. Thank you so much for working tirelessly to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding at both the local and statewide level. Lauren Cody from Breastfeed Macomb shares, “For many of us, coalition activities are in addition to our regular job duties. The Michigan Breastfeeding Network makes fundraising work for us!…