UNITED WAY OF BUFFALO & ERIE COUNTY RECRUITING WORKPLACES TO BECOME CERTIFIED “BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY”
Wednesday, February 14th, 2024
UNITED WAY OF BUFFALO & ERIE COUNTY RECRUITING WORKPLACES TO BECOME CERTIFIED “BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY”
Initiative is part of $1 million NYS Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding and Lactation Friendly grant
Buffalo, N.Y., February 14, 2024 – United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, joined by representatives from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Erie County, today announced the public launch of an initiative to design a Breastfeeding Friendly care continuum in Erie County, supported by a five-year New York State Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Lactation Friendly Grant. Through a comprehensive, collaborative approach, the project aims to ensure that breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding are supported and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status or racial/ethnic background.
As part of the effort, UWBEC is partnering with Erie County to help workplaces qualify for a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace designation. This designation signifies not only an employer's commitment to complying with New York State labor laws related to breastfeeding, but also their commitment to supporting the wellbeing of their employees.
“When more of the systems and spaces in which we work, live, gather, worship and play are Breastfeeding Friendly, more new parents will see breastfeeding as a viable option for them, because they will be surrounded with the supports they need to succeed,” says Mary K. Comtois, Director of Health Initiatives for United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. “And increasing the number of babies who receive human milk pays off in a big way when it comes to increasing our community’s overall health and well-being. Babies are protected from diseases such as ear infections, lower respiratory infections and diarrhea, and have a decreased risk for asthma, diabetes and obesity later in life. People who breastfeed also benefit from lowered risk for breast and ovarian cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Research suggests some of these benefits are especially striking for Black mothers.”
In addition to certifying for-profit employers as Breastfeeding Friendly, United Way is seeking up to five nonprofit workplaces in priority zip codes who would benefit from support in installing a lactation room as part of United Way’s annual Day of Caring in June. For more information about becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace, the New York State Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Lactation Friendly Grant and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County's health initiatives, please contact Mary K Comtois at [email protected].
ABOUT UNITED WAY OF BUFFALO & ERIE COUNTY
For over 100 years, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County has fought to improve the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. By forging unlikely partnerships, finding new solutions to old problems, and mobilizing the best resources, we inspire individuals to join the fight against their community’s most daunting social crises. We believe that to live better, we must LIVE UNITED. Learn more at uwbec.org.
Funding for this project was made possible (in part) by the State of New York. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the State.
Pictured, left to right:
Kelly Marie Wofford, Erie County Office of Health Equity Director
Cassy Dauphin, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Outreach Manager
Lucy Coady, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Breastfeeding Project Coordinator
Trina Burruss, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County President & CEO
Betsy Vasquez-Aradio, Erie County Public Health Educator