Florida Department of Health in Indian River Receives the Florida Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Award 

Contact:
Stacy Brock, Public Information Officer
Stacy.Brock@flhealth.gov
772-794-7479

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FL– The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County (DOH-Indian River) was a recipient the Florida Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Award last week. The award is given by the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition to recognize businesses that are providing support in the workplace to their breastfeeding employees. DOH-Indian River received the Gold award, which is the highest level award, for their commitment to and support of employees who breastfeed their infants while at work.

“The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County encourages all businesses to apply for this wonderful award to show how important it is to support breastfeeding employees”, said Miranda Hawker, Florida Department of Health in Indian River County Administrator.

The Florida Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Recognition Program is an award program to recognize businesses that are providing support in the workplace to their breastfeeding employees. Businesses are evaluated based on a set of criteria for three levels of breastfeeding support: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Those that meet the criteria outlined by the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition will be recognized with a certificate and recognition on their web site.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breastfeeding is one of the most highly effective preventative measures a mother can do to protect the health of her infant. By providing breaks, lactation consultation services, and a private lactation room, the Florida Department of Health in Indian River allows breastfeeding mothers the ability to extend the length of time they can breastfeed their children.

The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County encourages all businesses to go for the gold. For more information on applying for the Florida Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Award, please visit the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition website at http://www.flbreastfeeding.org/employerprogram.htm

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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