MISSISSIPPI WINS

JUST RELEASED! Our NEW Mississippi WINS Employer Toolkit

Learn how you can better support breastfeeding families and work with businesses to accommodate breastfeeding employees. 

CHAMPS has launched a special initiative to support Mississippi businesses with implementing lactation policies and support. Mississippi WINS (Workplaces Improving Nursing Support) will initially target businesses in Jackson, East Biloxi, and Sunflower County, but ALL businesses can benefit from the resources that will be developed. Mississippi WINS is a 2 year project of MS CHAMPS, sponsored by Kellogg.

Contact us if you want more information, if you need assistance with establishing a policy, or if you want creative ideas for solutions in your work setting.

We’d love to feature YOUR business as a model worksite!  Contact us to tell us about your business!

NEW MS WINS TOOLKIT

Mississippi families are breastfeeding! Today, 7 out of 10 Mississippi parents breastfeed their babies. Many want to continue after they return to work. Employer support with simple lactation accommodations can make all the difference. It’s also required by law. Best of all, it’s not hard to do and it can bring positive financial benefits to your business. Even if you already provide basic support, you can easily upgrade it to bring about even more positive benefits!

The following CHEER resources provide simple, practical ideas that you can use NOW!

Employer Guide

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Tip Sheets

General – View & Download

Education – View & Download

Healthcare – View & Download

Manufacturing – View & Download

Restaurants – View & Download

Retail – View & Download

Business Resources

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Mp4 Webinar Recording – for Business Employers

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Webinar Handout – for Business Employers

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Resources for Breastfeeding Advocates

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Hospital Employee Lactation Support: A Model for the Workplace Booklet

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Sample Hospital Lactation Policy

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Webinar Recording – For Hospital Human Resource Directors and Lactation Leads

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OTHER WORKPLACE SUPPORT RESOURCES

Breastfeeding employees have the right to lactation accommodations in the workplace. Federal law housed in Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1937, as well as many state laws, require employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space to express milk.

Implementing lactation accommodations is not usually difficult, and solutions abound! Check out these resources for employers, pregnant and breastfeeding employees, and breastfeeding advocates below:

For Employers

Employers who provide simple lactation accommodations can enjoy a 3:1 Return on Investment through lower healthcare costs, lower absenteeism rates, higher retention, and increased productivity and loyalty. Lactation support is also required by federal and many state laws. These free resources can help you learn easy ways to support your employees.

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has numerous tools for guidance. Access the language to the Federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers provision housed in Section 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The DOL Fact Sheet #73 answers common questions from employers about the federal law.

State Breastfeeding Laws

Federal law requires employers to adhere to state laws if they provide greater protection than the FLSA provisions. The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains an updated list of state regulations on breastfeeding support. Check with your state breastfeeding coalition to learn more about solutions of businesses in your state.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

More information about ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Supporting Nursing Moms at Work  

Cost-effective tips and solutions from the HHS Office on Women’s Health that can work in any industry setting. Be sure to check out the industry-specific videos to hear from HR directors and supervisors how they made it work.

Business Case for Breastfeeding

Resources for managers and staff involved in implementing worksite lactation support initiatives. Produced by the HHS Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Native Workplace Breastfeeding Resources

Breastfeeding: Following Tradition Works for Working Women

The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan toolkit was created to “(1) Increase understanding of the benefits of workplace policies and practices that support breastfeeding. (2) Create and distribute a breastfeeding support toolkit to all Tribes with the hopes that each Tribe will adopt their own policy.”

Indian Health Manual

The updated Indian Health Service (IHS) policy provides revised guidance for managers and supervisors in recognition of the documented health advantages of breastfeeding for infants and mothers and the benefits to the employers.

Free Pre-Recorded Webinars

MORE Great Solutions!  

Check out these free helpful toolkits and industry-specific solutions:

You CAN breastfeed, even if you plan to go to work after your baby is born. Depending on your job classification, you may have a legal right to reasonable break time and private space that is not a bathroom to express your milk while you are at work. If you are eligible for overtime pay (regardless of whether you work full-time or part-time) the Federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers law may protect you!

Many state laws also require employers to accommodate all breastfeeding employees, regardless of their job classification. Find out your rights in your state!

Quick Guide to Resources

Your Guide to Breastfeeding

Learn how to get breastfeeding off to a great start and plan for your return to work from the HHS Office on Women’s Health.

Call National Women’s Health and Breastfeeding Helpline for answers to your breastfeeding questions.

The United States Breastfeeding Committee has answers to your questions about breastfeeding and Workplace Support in Federal Law.

Talk to Your Employer About Pumping at Work

Tips from WIC Breastfeeding Support on how to talk with your supervisor about pumping milk at work.

Talking to Your Boss About Your Pump

Click on the link for your state at A Better Balance to learn all of your legal rights as a breastfeeding employee.

Free Answers to Your Legal Questions about breastfeeding at work!

Call (913) 551-5721 to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.

Your COVID-19 Workplace Rights: Breastfeeding and Lactation

Learn your rights to express milk at work during the pandemic with this document by the Center for Work Life Law, the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee, and co-branded with the Center for Health Equity, Education, and Research.

How to Keep Your Breast Pump Kit Clean

Keep your breast pump and tubing parts clean by following these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk

The CDC also has guidelines for how to store and handle your expressed breastmilk.

Ohio Employee Resources

Click on the “For Employees” tab to view an Employee Guide, the Lactation and Work Plan to share with your supervisor, and the Return to Work Checklist to help you get organized.

Office on Women’s Health

There are solutions for expressing milk in every industry! Check out the resources for employers and employees to learn how to make your return to work easier.

Breastfeeding and Going Back to Work: employee resources for planning ahead for your return to work

Does YOUR Mississippi employer support you with breastfeeding? We want to know!
Your employer could be featured in our new Mississippi WINS resources and website!

For Advocates

Outreach Marketing Guide – HHS Health Resources and Service Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s Business Case for Breastfeeding…with template letters, lesson plans for back to work classes, and a breastfeeding and work plan.

Supporting Nursing Moms at Work PowerPoint® Platform – a comprehensive presentation package of slides and speaker notes created by Every Mother, Inc. for the HHS Office on Women’s Health. The platform and resources can be downloaded from the United States Breastfeeding Committee website. Video tutorials walk you through how to download and use the materials.

Outreach Guide – Ohio Workplace PLUS toolkit. Click the “For Breastfeeding Advocates” tab for up-to-date tips for how to plan and executive effective outreach with employers, Outreach Checklist, approaching local business organizations, and sample email language.

Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite – contains numerous resources for encouraging breastfeeding-friendly worksites.

Center For Health Equity, Education, And Research

WE BELIEVE IN HEALTH EQUITY AND
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