Coalition Highlights!
Our Coalition volunteers continue to show up where they are needed to support families across the community.
On May 20th, our Coalition was featured in the CHAMPS webinar series on COVID-19 . Coalition members Dominique Bellegarde, Waetie Sanaa Cooper Burnette, Charlene Fraser , and Jenny Weaver presented to a national audience on the Coalition's efforts to continue serving families during this time.

During the past 2 months, our Coalition has launched 6 virtual breastfeeding support groups and a new WARMLINE!
Breastfeeding Counselors are available every day to help. Call today for support from our trained & experienced peers.

 CALL: 857-301-8259
Stay connected, informed, and supported by your community. Virtual breastfeeding support groups and Baby Cafes are held throughout the week.
Check out our website to register and join!

Coalition Happenings
Many families are wanting to relactate during this pandemic.
Join us on May 26th at 6PM for Scholar Support Night: Relactation & COVID-19, to learn about relactation and share ideas on how to encourage and support families through the process.

**Application for CERP recognition is in progress!**

Have questions or topics you'd like to discuss? Email catherine.luo@bmc.org to share!
Are you a Breastfeeding Scholar who is looking to connect with other Scholars?
Join the private Facebook Group just for Breastfeeding Scholars - a centralized location to stay updated on CERP offerings, scholarship opportunities, network with peers, and share and find resources.

SAVE THE DATE:
JOINT BREASTFEEDING COALITION MEETING BOSTON & SPRINGFIELD
Thursday June 18th @ 12pm ET || RSVP at bit.ly/coalition-june18
May Mental Health Awareness Month
Resource & Event Spotlight
Caregiver and Infant Mental Health Resources

5 self-care tips for caregivers:

  1. Make time for yourself,
  2. Prioritize healthy choices,
  3. Be realistic,
  4. Set boundaries, and
  5. Reconnect with things you enjoy.


Resources for families to support and advocate for their young children's social and emotional development.

Toolkit is available in English and Spanish !


Father involvement benefits everyone involved. Check out 3 ways providers and supporters can help dads build self-efficacy, connect with a support network, and promote mental wellbeing.

Click here to learn more and view the infographic here .
Building Capacity to Support Perinatal Mental Health

Continuing the conversation from our April Scholar Support Night, check out these upcoming webinars on supporting perinatal mental health.
Free resources, training and support available to participating and eligible organizations
Funding generously provided by MA PPD Fund and Perigee Fund
These times are causing overwhelming stress and anxiety for perinatal families, putting them at higher risk of perinatal mental health complications. There has never been a more important time to ensure that perinatal families of color have the support they need to minimize trauma, maximize resilience and ensure best health outcomes. Join Group Peer Support to learn more about bringing mental health resources to families in your community.

Postpartum Support International is offering a free webinar on Maternal Mental Health on Thursday June 4, 2020 . Learn about the range of maternal mental health disorders, the prevalence, signs and symptoms and recommended treatment options in this complimentary webinar hosted by 2020 Mom and presented by Postpartum Support International.

Opportunities
Leadership & Engagement

Seeking virtual peer counseling opportunities? Our WARMLINE is seeking volunteers who have completed a l actation counseling training and have experience as peer counselors .

This year's Black Breastfeeding Week theme is Revive. Restore. Reclaim! Join the Black Breastfeeding Week planning committee to help shape our local campaign!

We are seeking 1-2 peer counselors with experience in the NICU as a parent for this pilot program. Counselors will provide peer breastfeeding support to NICU families at Boston Medical Center.
Scholarships & Funding Opportunities

The University of California San Francisco has launched the COVID-19 Birth Worker Relief Fund . The fund intends to provide one-time small grants, in the amount of $500-$2,500, to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) lactation support persons, birth workers, and community based organizations that are serving BIPOC communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MILCC Scholarship is awarded to IBCLC Exam & Recertifying candidates. The main criteria for selection is financial need , and priority is given to candidates who serve a population lacking access to services of an IBCLC. 
In honor of JoAnne W. Scott, the JWS Scholarship is awarded once a year to an IBCLC Exam or Recertifying candidate from a mother-to-mother support group . 

Virtual Conferences & Events
Conference Dates: March 30 - June 29 | CERPS available
Every year, the GOLD Lactation Online Conference invites researchers and clinicians in the field of Lactation to present on current and emerging evidence-based education. All talks are presented live during set times, with recordings of each session being available throughout the conference period.
Conference Dates: May 26 - August 21 | CERPS available
The GOLD Neonatal Online Conference is perfect for anyone working in the neonatal field, including NICU nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, neonatologists, medical and nursing students, occupational therapists, dietitians, speech and language pathologists, respiratory therapists and anyone else working with premature or ill newborn infants.
Conference Dates: Live Events June 8-12 ; Recordings Available - June 15-July 3
Join Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association for a series of lectures, plenaries, panels, masterclasses and workshop sessions from a diverse group of field builders and maternal-child-health experts. Expand understanding of ways to address the specific socio-cultural needs of black families as related to birth and breastfeeding. Explore and examine the most current practices, studies, experiences and program models. Sessions focus on direct service, advocacy, research, community programs and public health.  Visit the conference website for more info and register here !

Other News & Happenings
Text KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8 to receive free text messages on nearby community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun activities.
Free app available on Apple, Android, and desktop for families to locate and access free or low-cost, high-quality local food resources in their neighborhoods
Tuesday May 26th 7:00-7:30pm, Virtual Zoom Event
Join the Vital Village Network Mental Health Committee for an interactive Children's Storytime focused on mental health and social-emotional learning for families with young children! At the end of our session, there will be an opportunity for Q&A and resource sharing with parents/caregivers. Click here to register for our next Storytime on Tuesday May 26th at 7PM!
Resource Corner
Boston Area COVID-19 Supports
COVID-19 tests are available for free, regardless of immigration or insurance status.

The multilingual Mayor's Health Line (617-534-5050) is available to help with health insurance applications, navigating Boston's health care system and COVID-19 questions.

Learn more about the City of Boston's Coronavirus response at boston.gov/coronavirus .

Vital Village Network has a live map of resources that are available throughout the Boston Area, including food, WIC- & SNAP-friendly grocery stores, COVID-testing and more.

Our partners Cradles to Crayons has temporarily suspended KidPack deliveries. They have compiled a list of partner resources here .

If you need supplies or have questions, please email bostonbreastfeeding@bmc.org .
Vital Village Network's Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is committed to improving access to breastfeeding support for every parent in Boston, promoting connections between individuals and organizations that engage in breastfeeding advocacy, and supporting pathways for professional lactation counselors.