Central Lakes College has been named a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for its contributions to the health of mothers and their babies.
MDH recognizes workplaces and county health departments that have demonstrated their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers by creating a workplace lactation support program.
“The faculty, staff and administration at CLC are pleased to be awarded this designation,” said Nick Heisserer, Director of Admissions and Registration at CLC. “We strive every day to create a safe and supportive learning and working environment for our employees, students and families. We are thankful for the facilities and programs we have at CLC to support mothers to care for their families.”
Breastfeeding is a foundational way to ensure that babies receive optimal nutrition during the first formative years of life. Studies show that infants who are breastfed have better health outcomes as they grow. MDH recognized organizations that have taken a leadership role to improve breastfeeding rates and meet Healthy 2020 goals.
The designation acknowledges Central Lakes College commitment to acting as a model for the community by supporting healthy families and receiving the business benefits of supporting nursing mothers. The designation is achieved by adopting a written policy and educating staff about it; ensuring adequate break time for breastfeeding employees; providing a clean, private place to pump breast milk; and demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting breastfeeding in the workplace.
This is MDH’s recognition program, which was created and is supported by the state Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP).
To learn how to apply for recognition, visit health.state.mn.us/breastfeedingfriendly.