Sandhills Collaborative operates to promote breastfeeding family friendly communities and improve maternal and child health in a 5-county region of North Carolina. This includes Cumberland County, Hoke County, Montgomery County, Richmond County, and Scotland County.
Tammy McNeill (Tammy.McNeill@richmondnc.com) serves as the main point of contact for Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities in this region. She’s here to answer questions, provide resources, and connect the community with opportunities. For a detailed overview and more information, visit the Sand Hills Collaborative Facebook Page.
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Sandhills Collaborative has incredibly exciting news. They have been working diligently to improve support for human milk feeding in their community by outfitting countless spaces in the community with lactation spaces! This includes schools, daycare centers, public libraries, federal court houses, and the large superstores.
Hoke County
- With a keen focus on inclusivity, all public schools and the Board of Education in Hoke County now boast lactation spaces. That’s a commendable 17 spaces dedicated for staff and students.
- Grant funding paved the way for two daycares in Hoke County to be equipped with lactation spaces.
- It took a year of relentless advocacy, but they finally ensured that a prominent non-WHO Code compliant superstore in Hoke County provides a lactation space. This superstore stands as a linchpin in the community’s commerce and support. We’re proud of this achievement but continue to push for them to adhere fully to the WHO Code.
- Our Breastfeeding Program Coordinator teamed up with the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute to train all daycare centers via their Breastfeeding University.
- The Hoke County Public Library now also offers a lactation space, courtesy of the NC ICO4MCH.
Scotland County
- All public schools and the Board of Education in Scotland County now have lactation spaces for teachers and staff, totaling 19 dedicated spaces.
- Lactation spaces have been established in the largest superstore in both Hoke County and Scotland County.
- The implementation of a Doula Program in Scotland County.
- Comprehensive training was provided to the Scotland County Health Department staff during Black Breastfeeding Week by the ICO4MCH Breastfeeding Program Coordinator.
Montgomery County
- Two lactation spaces were outfitted in a major retail superstore, established by the NC ICO4MCH grant.
- Lactation spaces were provided in two local daycare centers, emphasizing the importance of support in early childhood settings.
- A dedicated lactation space was provided in federal court house, ensuring that the needs of feeding families are recognized even in formal settings.
- Lactation spaces were provided to McRae Boot Company in 2 plants that craft boots for all military services, emphasizing our backing for working parents in every sector.
- Lactation space provided in Uhwarrie Mercantile Coffee and Diner, a comforting venue where feeding families can find both refreshment and a dedicated space.
- Lactation space provided in all public schools and the Board of Education in Montgomery County. That’s a commendable 17 spaces for our educational sector.
Richmond County
- A lactation space was provided to a major retail venue, ensuring a dedicated lactation space for families on-the-go.
- Lactation space provided in the federal courthouse, recognizing the importance of support in formal settings.
- With lactation spaces outfitted in all public schools and the Board of Education, Richmond County shows its support for teachers and staff across its 22 educational institutions.
- Richmond County extends its backing to the industrial sector by providing a lactation space in the Perdue Farms plant.
- The Richmond County Alternative School is also equipped with a lactation space, ensuring that all educational environments are supportive of feeding needs.