Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Community Health Services, including Polk County Public Health and Norman-Mahnomen Public Health, is inviting community members, organizations, and partners to participate in the Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Breastfeeding Coalition, a collaborative effort focused on strengthening support for breastfeeding families across the region.
The Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Breastfeeding Coalition provides a space for ongoing conversation, shared learning, and collaboration among those committed to improving breastfeeding support. The coalition will meet bimonthly, with meetings held virtually or at Public Health facilities.
In its beginning stages, coalition meetings will focus on three key priorities:
- Creating visibility for the coalition and breastfeeding support efforts
- Ensuring the viability and sustainability of coalition work
- Identifying how the coalition can deliver meaningful value to the community
There is no fee to participate in the coalition. Coalition meetings are designed to be collaborative and solution focused. Participants are encouraged to attend regularly, share ideas, and engage in thoughtful discussion. Meetings will be guided by shared norms that promote respectful dialogue, inclusive participation, and productive conversation.
The coalition’s work centers on supporting breastfeeding families throughout the community by addressing barriers and improving consistent messaging around breastfeeding. Key discussion topics will include:
- Continuity of breastfeeding care: Exploring what continuity of care looks like from prenatal education through postpartum support, identifying who needs to be involved, and how to create a seamless continuum of care for breastfeeding families.
- Landscape of breastfeeding support: Examining who provides prenatal education and postpartum breastfeeding support, and how families access these services across the community.
Community members and partners who are passionate about supporting breastfeeding families are encouraged to take part in this ongoing conversation. Through collaboration, the Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Breastfeeding Coalition aims to strengthen connections, improve coordination, and enhance breastfeeding support for families throughout the region.
For more information or to learn how to get involved, please contact Polk County Public Health at (218) 281-3385 or Norman-Mahnomen Public Health at (218) 784-5425.
