August is National Breastfeeding Month!

Published on 8/7/2020 |

Pennsylvania’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) breastfeeding support services have been the catalyst for increased breastfeeding rates across the nation over the last several decades as nearly half of the infants born in the U.S. participate in WIC. Both new and experienced mothers alike depend on WIC to help navigate the challenges of breastfeeding step by step and celebrate their success stories. National Breastfeeding Month is a campaign to raise awareness in our communities of breastfeeding and its numerous benefits.

This year’s theme, Many Voices United, is a timeless reminder that we’re stronger when we work together to accomplish change. Breastfeeding women can thrive in a community that is supportive and provides adequate access to lactation care. PA WIC not only provides breastfeeding support but strives to normalize this infant feeding option by creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment and encouraging local businesses to do the same. PA WIC has fostered a mutually beneficial relationship with the medical and business community in support of breastfeeding and our hope is that the collaborative efforts of PA WIC and community stakeholders at large will continue to result in positive change.

Also celebrated during National Breastfeeding Month is World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7 to advocate for breastfeeding globally and Black Breastfeeding Week from August 25-31 to honor the diverse breastfeeding experiences of African American women in the U.S. and to raise awareness and help bridge the gap of racial disparities seen in breastfeeding rates.

Join Washington and Greene County WIC in celebrating National Breastfeeding Month – together, we can “cultivate a landscape” that normalizes and supports breastfeeding for all women! WIC agencies across the Commonwealth will offer a variety of socially distanced celebrations during the first week of August in recognition of National Breastfeeding Month.

Blueprints WIC has been offering participant-centered nutrition education, healthy foods and breastfeeding support, as well as serving as a gateway for preventive health for over 40 years. It is considered one of the most successful, cost-effective and important nutrition intervention programs in the country. Blueprints WIC has appointment openings. For more information about WIC, visit Blueprints WIC website or pawic.com, or call local # or 1-800-WIC-WINS.

PA WIC is funded by the USDA. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For more information about Pennsylvania WIC: www.pawic.com

For more information about your local WIC agency : Blueprints WIC

The information below is NOT part of the proposed release.

USDA requires the WIC Program to provide the full version of the non-discrimination statement to all media outlets to fulfill our requirement for Civil Rights. However, when the media outlet conveys the message to the public, using the short version is acceptable. The statement “This institution is an equal opportunity provider.” is sufficient, as it is written in the notice above.

The full non-discrimination statement is as follows:

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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