PA-Breastfeeding Coalition Minutes of meeting July 25, 2001 Polyclinic in Harrisburg

Present:
Tasha Dershem, Martha Kautz, , Kathy Romberger, Rosa Snyder-Boyd, Jeanne Spencer, Cindy Maki, Helen Vermilya, Andrea ? sp Schappert, Ruth Solomon, Elaine ?,

Next meetings:

All Wednesdays
10/24/01 South Ridge Motor Lodge St College
1/23/02 Bridge call 12-2 PM
4/24/02 South Ridge Motor Lodge St College
7/24/02 Harrisburg Frederick building
10/23/02 South Ridge Motor Lodge St College

Kathy Romberger's Treasurer's report was approved:

Current balance $1047.39 (before the dues collected today )

The 501 c has been finalized! We now have an updated membership list. We will try to communicate primarily by email. An amendment was approved clarifying that we don't actively lobby, don't accept kick backs, or support candidates for office. This would take effect June 8th 2001. The full ammendment is appended. Thanks to Karen Foard.

We clarified our communication methods. For those not on email, Chris sends the info to Andrea who mails hard copies. As best we could tell all active members have email.

Members were urged to be as diligent as possible in recording in kind contributions, especially since we have the 501c

We will delay the endorsements proposal until Chris is here. The Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition position statements were reviewed. These are nicely done and have an extensive bibliography. We will send a copy of the revised endorsement proposal with the meeting minutes so that it can be reviewed in detail and voted on at the next meeting.

This years state wide WIC breastfeeding objective is outreach to physicians' offices. Each county office wil be charged with contacting ~5 offices of high percentage WIC clients. The state WIC office will provide educational packages and may be able to fund copies of Hale's text medications in mother's milk. There will be cover letters for prenatal and postnatal providers. Lists of breastfeeding web sites, local resources, Jeanne's meds in breastfeeding article, the AAP statements on jaundice and the 10 steps to encourage breastfeeding from the AAP. Cindy Maki has requested ~300 of our posters posters for program. Approximately 110 have been sent out already. We agree to do another printing and charge the WIC office at least the same as the others. (50 cents each) or the cost of printing which ever is more. All applauded these new efforts.

231 copies of the Volume 4 of the newsletter has been sent out. Congrats Martha

We will ask Barbara to make sure the web site uses a consistent address. Apparently 2 are being used. We will ask Barbara to recheck the price and timing of the next invoice.

In order to be an active coalition member a person needs to contribute their dues and either attend ½ of the meetings or provide in kind services. Minutes need to go to active and supporting members. In September Rosa (with Marth's help) will notify the persons on the membership list who are not paying dues that they will be removed from the mailing list. Rosa and Martha will work on getting the revised membership brochure printed.

The proclamation has been prepared. Barbara will get try to get it endorsed by the state house and senate.

Jeanne suggested that the coalition prepare table tents for next year's world breastfeeding week. Public relations will take this on, and prepare for 2002. The "camera ready" originals could be mailed with the newletter for duplication and distribution locally.

Sharing:
Helen shared plans for a banner and table tents for World Breastfeeding Week. There have been frustrating issues of misinformation especially regarding bilirubin and supplementation.

Rosa- In Washington and Green Counties they are participating in the summer fairs. Allegheny County made T shirts saying that I breastfeed for the Health of it. Western PA breastfeeding coalition is hosting Jack Newman Sept 24 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Pittsburgh. Details to follow. Rosa will send info to Barb for inclusion in the web site,.

Mary Ann
The breastfeeding chapter in Life Span Nutrition-2nd edition (2001) Prentice-Hall (publisher) has been completed. A cost benefits analysis of breastfeeding is listed in a new web site.as cited in the ADA newsletter. www.ers.usda.gov/publications/fanrr13

Andrea- now working on family planning and WIC. They are distributing info regarding breastfeeding and breast cancer simultaneously in two local malls. Now heading 42 clinics. Each is selecting their own breastfeeding projects.

Elaine- a lactation consultant in a community which never had one. New policies are being created. Her position was created by the hospital when the hospital was purchased by HMA.

Tasha- attended Kay's lecture on kangaroo care. A woman with HELLP syndrome was assisted to lactate despite being in the ICU on dialysis. The group urged Tasha to publish the case report.

Kathy
For Breastfeeding Week they are recognizing breastfeeding champions. Also had a bake sale to obtain funding for breastfeeding promotion. Have completed an educational book for moms of premies. Lunch and learns are planned. Nursing mothers counselors are distributing posters to physicians offices during Breastfeeding Week There will be a raffle of a basket and magnets will be given away.

Ruth
LLL had its international conference in Chicago. Great time! LLL issued a statement stating that they have no recommendation for or against breastfeeding for HIV infected MOMS. See www.lalecheleague.org No 2001 LLL eastern conference. 20002 conference will be in Harrisburg area. 2003 LLL International Conference will be held in San Francisco.

Martha
Working with Elaine to coordinate lactation services. Doing 2 breastfeeding related competencies for all the staff in birthplace and home health including medically required supplementation. In order to prepare for a JCAHO survey for home health visits Marsha has developed a nutritional risk assessment tool. She asks that anyone who has comments or another form to share these with her. The group offered suggestions.

Jeanne
Has published Medication in the Breast-feeding Mother. See www.aafp.org for a free copy. Also had a letter published in response to a case report of hypernatremic dehydration. Conemaugh is posting a breastfeeding week banner and table tents.

The Laurel Highlands Coalition should have the billboards up soon.

Committee

Public Policy
Martha and her committee has finalized the Coalition brochures. A motion was approved to print ~1000 brochures and letterhead. Jeanne will send a copy of pink letterhead and return address labels to Martha.

Tasha drafted sample letters regarding positive or negative media references for breastfeeding. The public relations committee can respond if individuals see appropriate references. Jeanne will see if Barb can post the sample text on the website. The "canned text" content was approved for use in response to media references.

The next newsletter is being finalized. We will recognize the county contacts so others can contact them.

Legislative
The group will contact NOW asking about their opinions regarding breastfeeding in the work place. PADA does have a paid lobbyist and has a different tax structure than our coalition and so can lobby directly.

Provider Ed
We discussed the continuing efforts to pursue funding for the phone conference. Jeanne and Linda will have a phone conference with a potential source next month. We continued to share ideas regarding the WIC educational efforts. Posters are here for members to distribute.

Respectfully submitted
Jeanne Spencer, MD