A Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community in the Making
AppHealthCare and community leaders in Sparta, NC are laying the foundation for Alleghany County to become a designated Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community. Led by Tiffney Francis, Child and Family Wellness Coordinator at AppHealthCare, this initiative brings together local health department leadership and WIC clinics with the shared goal of supporting all families who breastfeed, chestfeed, or feed human milk.
Our Commitment
Alleghany County affirms that breastfeeding families shuold always welcome and respected. No one should ever be asked to stop nursing, move, or cover up. This work is rooted in equity and inclusion—we aim to build a culture of care that supports all families regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, immigration status, family structure, language, ability, or income.
The Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities (BFFC) designation complements the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and creates sustainable, systems-level change outside of clinical settings. Our goal is to ensure that every sector—from healthcare to child care to public spaces—is informed and equipped to support lactation.
Just Getting Started
Alleghany County is at the beginning of this journey. With full support from the Chief Operations Officer and Health Strategist at AppHealthCare, Tiffney and her team are focused on:
- Learning more about the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community
- Building local partnerships, especially with WIC clinics across the district
- Creating a local team of passionate leaders to guide the work
- Planning next steps toward official designation
About AppHealthCare
AppHealthCare is the Appalachian District Health Department, serving Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga Counties. The agency is committed to improving the health and well-being of families across northwestern North Carolina through comprehensive public health programs and partnerships.
Contact
If you live or work in Alleghany County and want to help make it more welcoming for breastfeeding families, reach out to:
Tiffney Francis
📧 tiffney.francis@apphealth.com
📞336-975-5203