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Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Partnership

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The Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program was developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in 1995 in adherence with Texas Health and Safety Code 165. Breastfeeding as one of many efforts to support women in reaching their personal breastfeeding goals by encouraging employers to develop a worksite lactation support program and be recognized for their efforts through a Mother-Friendly Worksite Designation.

Since the program launched, substantial guidance has been developed and disseminated to inform best practice in the field. As outlined on the TexasMotherFriendly.org website, there are a number of recommended best-practice components that employers may incorporate to increase the efficacy of—and return on investment from— a worksite lactation support program: 

Evidence indicates that worksite breastfeeding support policies are most effective when they facilitate: (1) privacy for milk expression; (2) flexible scheduling and work options to accommodate breaks in a typical work day for milk expression; (3) dissemination of breastfeeding information and education to female and male employees during pregnancy and after the baby's birth; and (4) a positive, supportive environment from management and co-workers for employees who are combining work and breastfeeding.

The Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Technical Assistance and Support Program (TMFW-TASP) was established in 2015 at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health in Austin to provide technical assistance and support to worksites across the state of Texas who are seeking Mother-Friendly designation, a designation which demonstrates a basic level of support for nursing mothers in the workplace.

The TMFW-TASP team is also providing targeted promotion and outreach activities to reach new worksites across employment sectors and geographic regions statewide. They are assisting with the evaluation and dissemination of project and program successes through the analysis, synthesis and reporting of quantitative and qualitative data collected. The Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Technical Assistance and Support Program (TMFW-TASP) is funded by the Office of Title V and Family Health at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

For further questions to DSHS about the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program and other statewide Texas breastfeeding support efforts, visit texasmotherfriendly.org or contact:

Julie Stagg, MSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC
State Breastfeeding Coordinator/Women’s and Perinatal Health Team Lead
Office of Title V and Family Health
Department of State Health Services
[email protected]

For further questions to the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program Technical Assistance and Support Program (TMFW-TASP) regarding worksite designation, contact [email protected]

For other questions, contact the TMFW-TASP project director:

Emily Herrington, MPH
Project Director, TMFW-TASP
Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living
UTHealth | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | School of Public Health in Austin
[email protected]
(512)-482-6169

Resources for Public Health and Outreach Partners

Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program: Toolkit for community Outreach partners to help raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and the benefits of worksite lactation support.

Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program: Resources and Evaluation Reports for Public Health Partners.

Center for Training Research and Translation: Additional information on the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Program, a practice-tested intervention. 

Visit texasmotherfriendly.org for additional resources

Wilco Wellness Alliance Meeting Presentation

Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite Technical Assistance and Support Program (TMFW-TASP) Presentation at Wilco Wellness Alliance Meeting

Being a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite

1/10/17 - This infographic shows the benefits of Being a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite. Learn what it means to be a Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite, and how you can become one. Being Texas Mother-Friendly is good business sense!

Workplace Spotlight: North East Independent School District

The North East Independent School District (North East ISD) serves the north central and northeast areas of Bexar County. It is the second largest school district in San Antonio and as of last September, North East ISD received the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite designation for 85 of their worksites.

Workplace Spotlight: Round Rock Express Baseball Club

The Round Rock Express Baseball Club shows their support of families, for employees and fans alike, with access to their “Lactation Station,” a designated, private space where moms can go to breast feed or express breast milk, located on the third base concourse of Dell Diamond.

Worksite Lactation Support Recognition Initiatives: Cross State Collaboration

This webinar is the second in the series of the Virtual Cross State Forum. The purpose of this forum is to determine the best way for those states with worksite lactation support designation programs to collaborate.

Worksite Lactation Support Recognition Initiatives

Presenters will discuss lessons learned and emergent themes from their work in assessing workplace recognition initiatives across the US.

Texas Family-Friendly Worksite Development Initiative (TXFWD): Invitation to Participate

The Texas Mother Friendly Worksite Technical Assistance and Support Program (TMFW-TASP), in partnership with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Maternal and Child Health Unit, is pleased to announce a new technical and material assistance opportunity for selected public employers.

Texas Family-Friendly Worksite Development Initiative (TXFWD) Cohort 2: Invitation to Participate

The Texas Mother Friendly Worksite Technical Assistance and Support Program (TMFW-TASP), in partnership with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Maternal and Child Health Unit, is pleased to announce a new technical and material assistance opportunity for selected public employers.

Supporting worksite lactation is a simple way to provide your employees with greater peace of mind

Join us for a Webinar to learn about earning your Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite designation.

Ready to learn the “Nuts and Bolts” of becoming a Mother-Friendly worksite?

Please join us for a webinar on developing and implementing a mother-friendly policy in your workplace.

Outstanding Mother-Friendly Worksites Series: Hospital Perspective

Pat Alridge of John Peter Smith (JPS) Health Network will share how she led efforts to earn the Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite designation for all JPS Health Network System worksites.

Maximizing Return on Investment: Creating a comprehensive program of breastfeeding support

Please join us for a webinar on getting the most out of your mother-friendly workplace policy.

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