To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Michelle Estell, RS, MSA, Health Officer
title
RE: Approval of a grant award from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in the amount of $197,767.00, to provide for Genesee County's Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program; the required county match; the budget for this grant is attached
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Acceptance of funding for Special WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling in order to maintain an effective breastfeeding program. Funding Source: MDHHS Amount: Accept $197,767.00 Funding Account: 2210-608.01.Time Period: October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026, Purpose: MDHHS funding will enable Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) to maintain an effective Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program (BFPC).
BACKGROUND:
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program serves pregnant women, infants and children up to five years old. Program participants receive nutritional education, access to healthy food, breastfeeding support and referrals to community resources. Breastfeeding support is integral to the program. MDHHS funding will enable GCHD to maintain an effective Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program.
DISCUSSION:
Funding through MDHHS is used to maintain and expand activities necessary to sustain a peer counseling program. Activities provided with this funding are based on the Food and Nutrition Services/WIC Breastfeeding Model for Peer Counseling. The primary purpose of the BFPC funding is to provide overall breastfeeding support services, including direct peer counseling. Combining peer counseling with ongoing breastfeeding promotion efforts, WIC has the potential to significantly impact breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among program participants.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
This will allow continued funding of 2.7 FTE in the Breastfeeding Program.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Funding will add $197.767.00 to the budget. No County Appropriation is needed.
IMPAC...
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