Did You Know?
Breastfeeding saves money - approximately $1,000 a year.
Breastfeeding Coalitions Across Washington
The BCW is made up of 23 local coalitions located through out Washington. These groups adhere to the BCW mission and in addition, may have their own mission and goals addressing specific community needs. The coalitions are organized in different ways as determined by the group. Some coalitions meet monthly, others a few times a year. Please be aware that contact and meeting information are subject to change. The map below allows you to see the locations of the local coalitions. Below the map is a description of each coalition and contact information.
| Blue Mountain Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Bi-monthly, call first. |
Activities: | Give area breastfeeding parties to all pregnant women. "Parties" are in Spanish and English, the women received free presents and food. WBW activities include TV interviews, newspaper articles, a display window in the local mall, developing "Breastfeeding Corners" in local agencies for women to relax and rest. The corners include a rocking chair and breastfeeding promotion literature. |
About/Mission: | To promote and support breastfeeding in the Blue Mountain Region, through a collaboration of community resources in an effort to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding. |
Contact: | Becky Hermsen, RD, CD Nutritionist 310 W. Poplar Walla Walla WA 99362 Phone: (509)524-2670 Fax: bhermsen@co.walla-walla.wa.us |
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| Breastfeeding Coalition of Snohomish County | |
Meets: | 1st Wednesday of every month, Port Gardner Room, Providence Hospital, Pacific Campus, Everett, WA at 9:00 am. |
Activities: | World Walk for Breastfeeding (8/5/2006); Snohomish County Breastfeeding Resource List; and Peer Education. |
Contact: | Michele Crockett 7515 54th Pl NE Marysville WA 98270 Phone: Fax: michele_lc@comcast.net Judy Hulse 6408 Wheeler St. Snohomish WA 98296 Phone: (425) 329-4079 48jhulse@comcast.net |
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| Breastfeeding Committee for Canada | |
Meets: | |
Activities: | |
About/Mission: | Website |
Contact: | Barbara Selwood Community Perinatal Nurse Co 4500 Oak St Vancouver BC V6H 3N1 Phone: Fax: bselwood@interchange.ubc.ca |
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| Breastfeeding Promotion Coalition of Benton-Franklin Counties | |
Meets: | As needed, call first. |
Activities: | Meetings and writing informational newsletter for Health Care Provider's. |
Contact: | Sheila Schweiger 471 Williams St. Richland WA 99352 Phone: (509)943-2614 ext.23 Fax: (509)546-2990 shelias@bfhd.wa.gov |
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| Chelan Valley Coalition | |
Meets: | Quarterly at Lake Chelan Community Hospital, call for details. |
Activities: | Information booths at local health fairs, health care provider in services, Breastfeeding Resource list in English and Spanish, development of hospital discharge materials for breastfeeding mothers, development of hospital breastfeeding policies and procedures. |
Contact: | Virginia Palumbo PO Box 1058 Chelan Chelan WA 98816 Phone: (509) 682-5969 Fax: (509) 682.5969 palumbov@nwi.net |
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| Ellensburg Breastfeeding Promotion | |
Meets: | As needed, call for information. |
Activities: | Writing articles for the local newspapers. Hanging Breastfeeding Support banner at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital & Health Department. |
About/Mission: | To promote, organize and provide consistent education and information about breastfeeding and its benefits to the residence of Kittitas County |
Contact: | Katha Jackson 507 Nanum Ellensburg WA 98926 Phone: (509)962-7077 Fax: (509)962-7581 katha@co.kittitas.wa.us |
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| Grays Harbor Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Every other month 2nd Wednesday at 11:00am, Grays Harbor County Health Dept. |
Activities: | Visit new moms in hospital to offer breastfeeding support and to give packets with breast pads, Lansinoh breast cream, and information about breastfeeding support phone numbers. Distribute vinyl window clings for local business that support breastfeeding. Distribute signs for stores that welcome use of dressing rooms for breastfeeding. Organize the World Walk for breastfeeding in August, including a raffle, donated pizza, cookies, water, juice, prizes for all walkers. Advertise the Walk in the media. |
Contact: | Amy Murphy 2109 Sumner Ave. Aberdeen WA 98520 Phone: (360) 532-8631 ext. Fax: amurphy@co.grays-harbor.wa.us Chona Carcellar Phone: (360) 532-8631 ccarcellar@co.grays-harbor.wa |
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| IdaWa Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Once a month, second Thursday |
Activities: | Created a Mother Friendly workplace award, sponsor a nursing mothers group, organize conferences. |
Contact: | Linda Rosetti 415 6th Street Lewiston Lewiston ID 83501 Phone: (208) 799-5430 Fax: (208) 799-5357 lmrnurse@cableone.net |
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| Kitsap County Lactation Coalition | |
Meets: | Dates vary, call first. |
Activities: | Co-sponsored a baby changing and feeding station at the county fair, co-sponsored a one day workshop for families around breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week, developed a County Breastfeeding Resource book, organize Breastfeeding Tea Parties once a month throughout the year and at the July Tea Party there is a larger celebration door prizes and picnic. |
About/Mission: | To educate, promote, and support breastfeeding to all women in Kitsap County. |
Contact: | Debra George 1526 Mountain View Tacoma WA 98465 Phone: (253) 564-2285 Fax: debralll@aol.com |
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| Lewis County Lactation Coalition | |
Meets: | Usually 3rd Wednesday of the month. Call for details. |
Activities: | Support World Breastfeeding Week Activities, target physicians offices and workplaces regarding support for breastfeeding moms. |
About/Mission: | Formed in May of 2004, the Lewis County Breastfeeding Coalition (LCBC) has representatives from Public Health, WIC and a local physicians office. LCBC is focusing on World Breastfeeding Week activities and building their membership. |
Contact: | Judy Myklebust, WIC BF Coord. 360 NW North St Chehalis WA 98532 Phone: (360) 740-1255 Fax: jdmykleb@co.lewis.wa.us |
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| Moses Lake Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Monthly, new members are welcome anytime, call for details. |
Activities: | Development of survey tools to determine current community involvement with breastfeeding support, develop and distribute guidelines for Baby Friendly Worksites and Mother's Rooms, Educate the public and healthcare community of breastfeeding issues and promotion, and the assistance our local hospital to apply for UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital. |
About/Mission: | Established January, '03 from the development of the City of Moses Lake's Healthy Communities Project. The coalition is one of the three project strategies designed by city leaders to promote excellent nutrition and physical activity for Moses Lake. Current goals include promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding in our community.
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Contact: | Mary Aardal PO Box 1801 Moses Lake WA 98837 Phone: (509) 766-5648 Fax: Email: mary_aardal@hotmail.com |
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| Northwest Tri-Counties Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | March, May, and June |
Activities: | Sponsor activities related to World Breastfeeding Week, select an ongoing yearly project. |
Contact: | Kay Scamahorn PO Box 270 Colville WA 99114 Phone: (509) 684-5048 Fax: (509) 684-1002 kscama@netri.org |
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| Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon & Oregon Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | |
Activities: | |
About/Mission: | Nursing Mothers Counsel has a contract with Oregon DHS to build a statewide breastfeeding coalition by 2008, speaking strong with one voice. |
Contact: | Amelia Psmythe, Executive Director PMB-116 16409 SE Division Suite 216 Portland OR 97236-1982 Phone: Portland: (503) 282- Fax: |
| Okanogan County Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Meets regularly, call first. |
Activities: | Professional education, county listing of breastfeeding friendly Businesses, creating and developing breastfeeding resource list, organizing breastfeeding support groups, WBW Breastfeeding Promotion Table at local farmers market, staffing a booth at local fair. |
Contact: | Joan Pfeiffer Okanogan County Health District PO Box 231 Okanogan WA 98840 Phone: (509) 422-3281 Fax: (509) 422-7384 jpfeiffer@co.okanogan.wa.us |
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| Pierce County Breastfeeding Alliance | |
Meets: | 2nd Monday of odd months, 7:30-9:00am Angela's Restaurant, 7511 Portland Avenue, Tacoma. Please note: Meeting place is subject to change. |
Activities: | Developed and distribute lactation Fact Sheets to all health care facilities and providers in Pierce County, developed and distributed a Pierce County Breastfeeding Resource, celebrate World Breastfeeding Week by organizing activities such as displays and information tables at the zoo, malls and public libraries in Pierce County, write articles for the local newspapers as well as local newsletters. |
About/Mission: | he Pierce County Breastfeeding Alliance is a networking group, committed to seeking out and sharing information among health professionals working with families in their childbearing years. Our goal is to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding in Pierce County. The Alliance will accomplish this mission by doing the following:
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Contact: | MerrieLynn Rice 3629 South D Street Tacoma WA 98418 Phone: (253) 798-3539 Fax: mrice@tpchd.org |
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| Seattle-King County Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Quarterly, call or email for dates |
Activities: | |
About/Mission: | The Seattle King County Breastfeeding Coalition (SKCBFC) is a local organization dedicated to supporting breastfeeding as a vital part of the health and development of children and their families. We are comprised of a diverse range of community members. Membership is open to anyone with a passion for breastfeeding who would like to join our efforts in promoting this important health issue.
The mission of the Seattle King County Breastfeeding Coalition (SKCBFC) is to act as a communication vehicle to facilitate public awareness of accurate breastfeeding resources and information throughout King County. The coalition provides access to these resources through the collection and dissemination of information from organizations and individuals that actively support and promote breastfeeding. |
Contact: | Sheila Kingsbury, ND Bastyr University 14500 Juanita Dr. Kenmore WA 98028 Phone: (425) 591-5310 Fax: skingsbu@bastyr.edu |
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| Skagit County Breastfeeding Network | |
Meets: | 4th Wednesday of each month at the Sager's Restaurant in Mount Vernon. |
Activities: | 8:00-8:30 am "No Host" Breakfast 8:30 am The meeting is called to order for announcements, educational updates and planning for promotional activities. The meeting is adjourned at 9:30 |
Contact: | Tina Abshier RNC, BSN, IBCLC Family Birth Center Skagit Valley Hospital Mount Vernon WA 98273 Phone: (360) 428-2229 Fax: tabshier@skagitvalleyhospital. |
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| South King County Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Bi-monthly, call for details |
Activities: | Developed a display board used to promote the South King County Coalition and breastfeeding, prepared and provided educational materials for World Breastfeeding week in a variety of venues. |
About/Mission: | To improve communication and coordination of breastfeeding promotion and support services in the South King County Health |
Contact: | Denise Stuart 12917 SE 217th Pl. Kent WA 98031-3947 Phone: 425.391.5070 Fax: milkmam3@hotmail.com Kay Batt 16960 129th Ave. SE Renton WA 98058-6145 Phone: (425) 226-8117 Fax: (425) 226-8117 klbatt1@comcast.net |
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| South Sound Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Meet the first Tuesday of each month from 12:00-1:30 pm at the Thurston County Health Dept., WIC, 412 Lilly Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98510. |
Activities: | Developed local Breastfeeding Resource Guide for Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties, Coordinated the annual WBW walk and other WBW activities, organize conferences and trainings, create and distribute breastfeeding friendly discharge bags. |
Contact: | Laura Christian 412 Lilly Rd NE Olympia WA 98510 Phone: (360) 789-5123 Fax: ljchristian@comcast.net |
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| Southwest Washington Breastfeeding Task Force | |
Meets: | 3rd week odd months |
Activities: | Provide in-service trainings for WIC Staff, involving LC's, LLL's and MSS providers. |
Contact: | Jan Apland, RD Clark County Health Dept. 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd Vancouver WA 98666 Phone: (360) 397-8000 ext 7220 Fax: (360) 906-8098 jan.apland@clarkcowic.com |
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| Spokane County Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | First Wednesday from 8-9 am at Perkins on Division near downtown. Email: stokesberry.dl@ghc.o |
Activities: | Creation and distribution of the Spokane County Breastfeeding Resource guide, participate in World Breastfeeding Week activities and Promotion, promote breastfeeding at the local Family-a-Fair. |
About/Mission: | To improve communication and coordination of breastfeeding promotion and support services in Spokane. |
Contact: | Debbie Stokesberry Riverfront Health Group W. 322 Northriver Dr. Spokane WA 99201 Phone: (509) 241-2566 Fax: stokesberry.dl@ghc.org |
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| Wenatchee Breastfeeding Awareness Coalition | |
Meets: | Monthly, 4th Thursday at 12:15 pm at the WIC office of Columbia Valley Community Health, 600 Orondo St., Wenatchee |
Activities: | Created a community breastfeeding resource list which is given to all new mothers at the local hospital, organized a breastfeeding in-service program for local doctors, created breastfeeding promotion displays for local health fairs, organized WBW activities such as library displays, proclamations, newspaper articles, bulletin boards, and a breastfeeding promotion booth at Healthy Kids Day, wrote two issues of a breastfeeding promotion newsletter to local health care providers. |
Contact: | Laurie Riegert CDHD WIC PO Box 429 Wenatchee WA 98807 Phone: (509) 664-3771 Fax: (509) 664-6753 lriegert@cvch.org |
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| Whatcom County Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Quarterly, the third Thursday of February, May, August, November |
Activities: | Three bus ads that will be ready to be posted on WTA buses by January 1st. |
About/Mission: | The Mission of WCBC is to promote and support breastfeeding in Whatcom county, through a collaboration of community resources and agencies in an effort to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding. |
Contact: | Jayne Jurado Phone: (360) 733-7799 Fax: jajurado@optioncare.net |
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| Whidbey Island Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | Third Wednesday of the month, 8:30-9:30 AM, North Whidbey Family Resource Center, 1791 NE 1st Ave, Oak Harbor. |
Activities: | Breastfeeding Resource Guide for Whidbey Island, World Breastfeeding Week activities. For Island County Breastfeeding information visit www.whidbeybfc.org |
Contact: | Loretta Bezold, RN-PHN, WIBC chair Island County Public Health Oak Harbor WA 98277 Phone: (360) 678-7930 Fax: (360) 679-6570 lorettab@co.island.wa.us |
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| Yakima (Upper) Valley Breastfeeding Coalition | |
Meets: | 2nd Thursday of each month from 9 am to 10 am |
Activities: | |
Contact: | Lydia Gallegos 1744 Konnowac Pass Rd. Moxee WA 98936 Phone: (509) 454-4143 Fax: (509) 454-3651 lydiag@ynhs.org |
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