Breastfeeding Pledge

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BECOME A PROGRESSIVE BUSINESS LEADER IN SAVANNAH

As a business that supports breastfeeding you are a vital part of creating a community that supports breastfeeding. Businesses and communities benefit from mothers continuing to breastfeed their babies. Make it a part of our culture and help us encourage the development of healthier people, healthier relationships, and a healthier community.

FEAR OF CRITICISM

While nursing in public is one of the top three reasons a mom chooses to stop breastfeeding. However, when businesses lead the way and help create a culture where breastfeeding is supported and welcomed, the entire community benefits. Your business will also be positively impacted by the increased customer satisfaction: businesses who become breastfeeding friendly often see at least a $3 to $1 return on their investment.

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EVERY BUSINESS KNOWS

the value of repeat customers and word-of-mouth. Breastfeeding moms who feel that they and their babies are welcome while they enjoy a meal, have a cup of coffee, or shop will return to your business and spread the word to their friends! Ensuring that your business is breastfeeding friendly gives you an opportunity to boost your business and benefit your local community at the same time.

2 WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Breastfeeding Friendly Work Site Award

heart_desk.jpgThe “Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Award” awards employers on criteria for three levels of support: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Businesses that meet one of the three levels will be recognized in their community and statewide.

The Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Grant is available to cover costs associated with creating a nursing room for employees.

Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Award

heart_store.jpgBreastfeeding moms need a supportive environment where they feel comfortable nursing their babies in public. We all benefit from breastfeeding: it’s healthy, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly! Plus, the more mothers who feel comfortable feeding their babies in public, the fewer crying infants, which makes for a better shopping, dining, etc. experience for all of your customers. Become more breastfeeding friendly by providing a welcoming environment, training your staff to support breastfeeding, and displaying a “Breastfeeding Welcomed Here” window decal.

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Public Recognition

heart_magaphone.jpgWe want to recognize you and your organization as one of the progressive business leaders in our community. The name of your organization will be shared on the state’s website, on the Andrew County Health Department’s website, on our Facebook page, and on our health information board at the Andrew County Health Department.

 

 

Recognition in App

heart_phone.jpgMoms Pump Here is a useful app for breastfeeding moms as they try to find safe and welcoming spaces to nurse their babies. Your organization’s name and a picture of your location will be shared on the app, along with other helpful information that will welcome moms to your business. This is a great marketing tool.


 

Free Window Decal

heart_nursing.jpgTo become a Breastfeeding Welcomed Here certified business, it’s required that you hang a “Breastfeeding Welcomed Here” window cling in a visible public space. These window clings will be provided, free of charge, by the Andrew County Health Department.

 

We want to thank you

for the continued work you’re doing in our community. You have the opportunity to impact the lives of moms, babies, and families, and we’re so grateful that you don’t take that lightly. Here are the tangible ways we want to celebrate your organization.

Framed Certificate

heart_frame.jpgAs a way to thank you for the work your organization does for breastfeeding moms in our community, the Andrew County Health Department will present you with a certificate for each accommodation you earn. These will be gifted to you, pre-framed and free of charge. For each year that you renew your certification, you will receive another certificate for the frame.

 

Free Staff Training

heart_teach.jpgIf you are unsure of how to train your staff on how to become breastfeeding friendly, or if you would simply like to participate to save time on your part, the Andrew County Health Department will periodically host free trainings for managers and staff. We will cover what it means to support breastfeeding customers, and how to handle complaints.

 

Press Release

heart_press.pngBecause we are so thankful for your decision to become a mover in our community, we will send a press release to the Savannah Reporter. We will share with our community the impact your decision to become breastfeeding friendly has made.

 

BECOME A BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY WORKSITE

  1. Rewrite policies to offer lactation support
  2. Provide a safe, private location for nursing employees to express milk and/or apply for the Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Grant** to help fund a lactation room
  3. Offer flexible scheduling for nursing mothers
  4. Apply for the Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Award**

BECOME A BREASTFEED WELCOMED HERE ORGANIZATION

  1. Provide a welcoming environment for nursing mothers
  2. Train your staff to be breastfeeding friendly
  3. Take the Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Pledge**

**All applications are available at the Andrew County Health Department.

Contact Nicole Parsons for more information.

 

Motorcycle Safety

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download infographic here

Adptees to Receive Orginal Birth Certificates

Mo. Department of Health and Senior Services issues original birth certificates to adoptees

Department efforts are recognized with Missouri House of Representatives Resolution

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Until recently, people who were adopted in Missouri were unable to access their original birth certificates, making information about birth parents and family medical history difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. This has all changed thanks to the efforts of several adoptee advocacy groups and State Representative Don Phillips, who sponsored the Missouri Adoptee Rights Act, which became law in 2016. As of January 2, 2018, Missouri adoptees no longer need a court order to request their original birth certificates. Yesterday morning, several of those requests were filled as staff from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ (DHSS) Bureau of Vital Records gave out certificates at an event in Jefferson City.

Known as “Breaking the Seal,” the event was attended by adoptees, members of the public and adoption advocates including First Lady Dr. Sheena Greitens. Of the event, Greitens said, “I joined a group of adoptees from across the state, and watched as they held their birth certificates for the first time in their lives. Some of the people receiving certificates were in their seventies and eighties. It was a moving and humbling experience to watch them claim part of their history, and to see how much it meant to them.”

Also in attendance was Representative Phillips, whose successful legislation is not only a professional success but a personal one as well: he received his own birth certificate for the first time at the event. Phillips recognized DHSS for the hard work that has gone into fulfilling the birth certificate requests by presenting the department with a Resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives. He also praised the DHSS Bureau of Vital Records staff and acting director of the Division of Community and Public Health, Kerri Tesreau for their remarkable efforts in helping people access their original birth certificates. 

DHSS director Dr. Randall Williams was also at the event. “As an obstetrician, I have very strong memories of children that I delivered being adopted at birth,” Williams said. “For 30 years, it was my privilege to be part of adoption processes and I’m so appreciative of our staff for helping all involved in any way they can. Mothers, adoptive parents, social workers, our staff and anyone who makes that process work, I’m thankful for.”

DHSS staff were able to provide birth certificates to attendees of yesterday’s event by accepting requests beginning in October. Each request can take several weeks to process and the department has received an average of 50 to 100 requests per week since the process was opened. 

To make a request, an adoptee or their attorney must complete the Application for Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate and pay a non-refundable $15 fee. Applications may be submitted in person or by mail. 

Non-certified copies of the original birth certificates issued by DHSS cannot be used for establishing identity, and will be stamped “For genealogical purposes only—not to be used for establishing identity.” In addition, no records will be released without first checking for receipt of a parental preference form. Another provision of the Missouri Adoptee Rights Act, the parental preference form allows birth parents to designate whether they want their information released. Birth parents may also establish a contact preference and complete a medical history form. 

The Application for Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate, Birth Parent Contact Preference and Medical History forms can be obtained at the BVR office in Jefferson City, requested via phone or found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website at http://health.mo.gov/data/vitalrecords/adopteerightsact.php.

About the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: The department seeks to be the leader in promoting, protecting and partnering for health. More information about DHSS can be found at health.mo.gov.

Accepting Bids

Accepting Bids for Accounting Services

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The Andrew county Health Department at 106 N. 5th Street, Savannah is accepting bids for accounting services.

Bids will be accepted until 4:00 pm on January 19, 2018. Bids may be brought in or mailed to Andrew County Health Department, PO Box 271, Savannah, MO 64485.

For additional information contact Andrew Hoffman, Administrator, at 816-324-3139 from 7:00am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.