NACCHO actively supports local approaches to chest/breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support. NACCHO is currently implementing the Reducing Breastfeeding Disparities through Continuity of Care project to develop a national Continuity of Care (COC) blueprint with national partners, provide targeted technical assistance to CDC REACH grantees in COC, and funding Continuity of Care community partnership activities. This project also includes identifying best practices to improve the infant and toddler nutrition landscape within the first 1,000 days after conception.

Through webinars, ongoing technical assistance, and success stories, NACCHO shared lessons learned and effective strategies for local level implementation. NACCHO continues to provide training and technical assistance to local health departments and other community-based organizations to advance community support and continuity of care.

The Continuity of Care in Breastfeeding Support: A Blueprint for Communities

The Blueprint, developed with a public health lens, aims to increase local capacity to implement community-driven approaches to support chest/breastfeeding, centered on the needs of populations disproportionately impacted by structural barriers that lead to low rates of breastfeeding. The goal of this resource is to ensure that chest/breastfeeding support services are continuous, accessible, and coordinated, and that community spaces are consistently supportive of chest/breastfeeding families. The blueprint is intended for any local-level organization and individual that interacts with pregnant and postpartum families.

To download the Blueprint go to http://www.breastfeedingcontinuityofcare.org/blueprint

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Bridging Breastfeeding Continuity of Care and Nutrition Security within the First 1,000 Days: Blueprint Cohort III

With support from the CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO), NACCHO is pleased to announce a funding opportunity to support the implementation of the Blueprint to strengthen community lactation support and improve the local nutrition security landscape within the first 1,000 days. NACCHO will select up to five (5) local organizations, with awards up to $30,000 to $50,000 each. Applicants are required to apply with at least 2 key partners to implement strategies from at least three (3) recommendations from the Continuity of Care in Breastfeeding Support: A Blueprint for Communities. Applicants can select additional activities to improve the community’s child nutrition security infrastructure. Applications must be submitted no later than October 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM PST. Access the RFA HERE.

Register to join the RFA informational webinar on September 21, 2023, at 1 PM EST HERE.

Please note that no new information will be shared during the webinar; as such, applicants need not wait for this optional meeting to begin or submit the application. The webinar will be recorded, sent out to all registrants, and posted on NACCHO’s website. All necessary information regarding the project and application process may be found in the Request for Application (RFA). Applicants may pose individual questions to NACCHO at any point during the application process by e-mailing [email protected]

Request for Proposals (RFP): Culturally Responsive Nutrition Materials for Infants and Toddlers

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO), NACCHO is pleased to offer a funding opportunity for up to two (2) consultants to develop culturally responsive educational materials for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) and/or Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant (RIM) communities. Up to two (2) awards with funding of up to $13,000 each are available.

Applications must be submitted by November 6, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Selected grantees will be announced by November 10, 2023. The project period will begin on the date of contract execution on July 31, 2024. All information for the RFP can be found here.

Please email complete applications to [email protected].

Early Childhood Nutrition

In 2022, NACCHO hosted three in-person regional convenings with a total of 51 multisector professionals within the local health system to further investigate and identify best practices and solutions to improve the first 1,000 days of nutrition infrastructure in historically neglected communities. In addition, a virtual national stakeholders’ convening was hosted, to understand how national organizations can support the community nutrition infrastructure. Click to view Improving Infant and Young Child Nutrition during the first 1,000 days in Communities of Color summary report and review the convenings' lessons learned.

To watch the recording of the webinar that launched the report and the culturally responsive nutrition materials, click HERE.

To view the Webinar Resource Guide, click HERE.

NACCHO has also been part of My Plate National Strategic Partners, and has been supporting CDC and USDA to promote chapter 2 of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, dedicated to Infants and Toddlers. NACCHO has co-created culturally diverse nutrition materials for infants and toddlers based on the Dietary Guidelines with different communities (African American, Chinese, Latinx, and Vietnamese).

The first set of nutrition materials toolkits, including educational handouts with recipes, a nutrition assistance resource directory, and social media posts can be accessed here:

We are currently planning activities for this year. Stay tuned by joining our emailing list. To subscribe, please log-in to your My NACCHO account. If you do not have a “My NACCHO” account you can sign up by clicking here.

• Once logged on click on “My Subscriptions” in the left navigation menu
• Check the box for “Breastfeeding in the Community”
• Click “Save” at the bottom of the page

To contact us, please email [email protected].