April 11, 2008 Inaugural Meeting of Florida Breastfeeding Coalition The Florida Breastfeeding Coalition (FBC) is a statewide multidisciplinary group of individuals, businesses and organizations with  the following  mission: to  improve  the  health of  Floridians by working collaboratively to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.   The inaugural meeting of key individuals supporting the formation of a statewide breastfeeding coalition was held on April 11, 2008 in Maitland. The attendees from around the state included physicians from three teaching hospitals/state universities, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, Registered Dieticians, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinators and Registered Nurses. As a statewide coalition, the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition is registered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) which allows the Coalition to participate in national training seminars and meetings to assist our state in legislative advocacy, minimizing barriers to breastfeeding, and supporting breastfeeding for healthy mothers and babies/children. The CDC is tracking state breastfeeding rates and promotion activities and has encouraged the formation of statewide coalitions. The CDC reports information about coalitions and coalition websites in the CDC Breastfeeding Report Card.   The United States Breastfeeding Committee has also been involved in the interface with the state breastfeeding coalitions. The Florida Breastfeeding Coalition received their official determination letter for  501(c)3 on April 17, 2009.

Florida Breastfeeding Coalition's Mission Statement Florida Breastfeeding Coalition will improve the health of Floridians by working collaboratively to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. In keeping with the mission statement, the objectives of the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition are to: 1.    Increase public acceptance of breastfeeding, increase public        awareness of the health risks associated with not breastfeeding, and        promote behavioral change that results in increased rates of        breastfeeding initiation and duration. 2.    Promote public policies that support breastfeeding. 3.    Contribute to a supportive and accepting social environment with        respect to breastfeeding. 4.    Educate health care providers about health care risks associated with        not breastfeeding and how they can better support those mothers        who choose to breastfeed their babies. 5.    Model policies and practices that promote and support        breastfeeding in all sectors of the health care system. 6.    Increase services and support to families who are breastfeeding. 7.    Advocate for public and private insurance coverage for        breastfeeding support services and equipment. 8.    Increase public understanding that breastfeeding is the normal course        for nourishing children and that efforts to undermine breastfeeding        are serious threats to the health of children and women. 9.    Encourage mothers to initiate breastfeeding, breastfeed exclusively          for the first 6 months and continue breastfeeding for at least one year. 10.  Support the establishment of model policies in work sites and        childcare facilities that foster a positive environment for breastfeeding. 11.  Increase acceptance and support for breastfeeding in schools and work        sites. 12.  Encourage key agency leaders and others who influence these individuals        or groups to take action and develop concrete policies in support of        breastfeeding. 13.  Encourage active support for breastfeeding among key community        leaders.