Holmes County WIC was recently awarded the 2008 Breastfeeding Project Award from the Ohio Department of Health. This award recognizes success in the promotion of breast-feeding by WIC programs across the state and is awarded to two programs.
The promotion of breast-feeding is an important part of the mission of the Holmes County WIC program. Staff regularly reach out to the participants of WIC, local health professionals, and the community as a whole. The entire staff works to educate and support all women in their decision to breast-feed by providing consultations by phone, in the office and in the home.
Raquel Miller, RN, a certified lactation counselor, also works to provide staff within the health department with current information so they can also provide support to the families they are in contact with. I think it is important for everyone who surrounds a breast-feeding mother and child to give them encouragement, support and especially correct information to allow them to continue to breast-feed their child, said Miller.
In 2008, Holmes County WIC received a grant from the Canton Regional Area Health Education Center for a social marketing campaign including billboards, newspaper articles, public service announcements and posters that were used throughout the county. The Holmes County WIC program breast-feeding initiation rates and continuation rates at six months are the highest in the state. Dr. D. J. McFadden, Holmes County health commissioner, stated, I applaud the efforts of the Holmes County WIC program staff. As a result of their dedication and hard work, Holmes County WIC has breast-feeding initiation and duration rates far above the state average.
