September 2024

Breastfeed Franklin County

Welcome to the new Breastfeed Franklin County newsletter tailored specifically for Franklin County business owners! We’ll be sharing valuable insights, resources, and updates four times a year to help support your business in creating a family-friendly environment. Click the button below to update your subscription preferences and stay connected.

We are excited to share an opportunity for Franklin County businesses to be recognized as a Breastfeeding Friendly community leader. You can support local families and strengthen your business by participating in one of these programs:

1. Breastfeeding Friendly Community Partner Award

Welcome breastfeeding patrons and show your commitment to family-friendly practices.

2. Breastfeeding Friendly Employee Award

Create a supportive work environment for lactating employees, helping to retain valuable team members.

3. Lactation Space Assistance

Need help setting up a private space for lactating employees or patrons? We can assist with resources and guidance.

This initiative is about more than supporting breastfeeding families—it’s about keeping talented employees, promoting local business, and reducing healthcare costs. Franklin County qualified for this grant because of high infant mortality rates, but the impact extends far beyond:

• Attract and retain top talent: A family-friendly environment makes your business a more attractive place to work.
• Lower healthcare costs: Supporting breastfeeding leads to healthier employees and their families, which can reduce medical costs for employers.
• Boost local spending: When families feel supported, they are more likely to shop and spend locally, keeping dollars within Franklin County.

Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities is a community-wide program to impact Health Equity by advocating for policies and practices that support optimal infant feeding. Any municipality or incorporated region may complete the Ten Steps self-appraisal. Work begins when two or more community members come together to lead the community in satisfying the requirements of the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community.

Using the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community (Ten Steps), we will provide education, mentorship, and assistance to communities as they work to make changes so that every family that is chest/breastfeeding will be able to do so in a space that is welcoming and supportive of their efforts. With your donation, these communities are able to engage with local businesses, child care centers, and health care providers to support breast/chestfeeding families.