Just because it’s the holiday season, doesn’t mean you need to take a holiday from your exercise regimen. In fact, working out during the winter has many benefits. Check out the following for information regarding physical activity during these winter month that lie ahead:
https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@fc/documents/downloadable/ucm_457235.pdf
http://igrow.org/healthy-families/health-and-wellness/physical-activity-cold-weather/
October 2016
The Food and Agriculture Organization put out the following information regarding World Food Day 2016:
Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.
One of the biggest issues related to climate change is food supply and food security and with our population growing each day, this problem affects more and more people. Everyone has a role to play in lessening the effects of climate change. Countries need to invest in stallholder farmers and sustainably increase food production, but there are also a number of actions that you can take to help. By being a conscientious or ethical consumer and changing simple day-to-day decisions, for example, by wasting less food, or eating less meat, we can reduce our environmental footprint and make a difference.
For more information on World Food Day and how to do your part to reduce food loss and our carbon footprint, check out the following resources:
http://www.fao.org/world-food-day/2016/theme/en/
http://www.fao.org/world-food-day/2016/climate-actions/en/
September 2016
The Inter Tribal Council on Arizona is celebrating September with the Fruit and Veggies – More Matters Campaign. The American Indian population has among the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the United States. Studies have shown that among overweight adults, higher intakes of green leafy or dark yellow vegetables were significantly associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. More than 90% of both adults and children do not eat the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended by the latest dietary guidelines. Dietitians recommend filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Try these tips to help meet this goal:
Reasons why to eat more fruits and vegetables?
Adapted from: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/September+is+Fruits+%26+Veggies–More+Matters+Month
To learn more about the importance of fruits and veggies, check out the following resources:
Fruit and Veggies – More Matters Infographic
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
https://fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-guidance/fruits-veggies-more-matters-resources/fruits-veggies-more-matters
Arizona is one of the hottest places on earth from May to September which makes heat related illness very common during these months. Over 1,500 deaths from exposure to excessive natural heat have occurred in Arizona from 2000 to 2012. Anyone can be affected by heat-related illness but children under 4 years of age are at an even greater risk. One of the best ways to prevent heat related illness is to stay hydrated. The amount of water someone needs is variable depending on age, heat exposure, activity and other factors. Everyone should drink enough water to quench their thirst, however in extreme heat; we may forget to drink enough water. Most people will need at least 8-10 cups of water under normal conditions. More water may be needed if it is hot and the person is active. Try to minimize alcohol and caffeine intake because these drink may dehydrate you more. Offer kids water instead of sugary beverages such as juice, soda, Gatorade, kool-aid, and sweet tea.
Heat-related illness usually comes in stages. The signal of the first stage is thirst. Drinking water at this stage can prevent you from progressing to the more serious kinds of heat related illnesses. When temperatures are on the rise, watch for these other symptoms of heat related illness:
• Thirst, dry mouth and skin
• Headache
• Dizziness and confusion
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Less frequent urination
• Increased heart rate
Check out the following resources to stay cool this summer and stay hydrated.
Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) began offering WIC services in Flagstaff on June 28, 2016! Call 928-773-1245 for an appointment or visit them at 1500 E. Cedar Ave, Suite 26 in Flagstaff.
June 2016
ITCA WIC is honoring June as Safety Month by sharing some important safety tips for women, infants, and children.
Food Safety
Every child is at risk for choking, but children under the age of 4 years are more likely to choke because they have narrow throats and airways, cannot chew very well due to lack of teeth, and they often put things in their mouths.
Knowing about choking risks and safety tips can help prevent choking. The link below shows foods that are choking risks and foods to avoid for children under the age of 1. Follow these guidelines to help keep your children safe:
Prepare Safe Foods:
Eat Safe:
Pregnant women need to be careful about food safety. According to the CDC, 48 million persons get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from illness caused by food in the United States each year. Pregnant women and their unborn children have a higher risk of developing certain foodborne illnesses because their ability to fight off infection is lower when pregnant. Use the links below for foods that should be avoided during pregnancy and safe cooking tips.
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/UCM312787.pdf
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/choking-hazard-safety
Car Seat Safety
Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. In fact, the CDC reports motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for American Indians aged 1–44. On average, 2 American Indians are killed every day in motor vehicle crashes. American Indians are injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes at much higher rates than other Americans and have lower use rates of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.
Proper use of car seats helps keep children safe. With so many different styles and seats available, it may be hard to tell which one is the right one. The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child’s age and size and the type of vehicle you have. Read the links below for information on selecting the correct seat for your child and other car seat safety tips. You may be able to get a free car seat in your area. Ask your local fire or police departments about free car seats in your area.
http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/newtsm/cpsweek2014/NHTSA-2014-CPSWeek-
April 2016
Taking good care of your teeth is not just about having a nice smile and pleasant breath. A healthy mouth may help you ward off medical conditions.
Tooth decay is a significant health problem for American Indians. In 2014, more than 2.4 million American Indians lived in counties with dental care shortage areas, and half of all American Indian children lived in a shortage area. In fact, preschool-aged American Indian children had four times more cases of untreated tooth decay than white children—43 percent compared with 11 percent. Studies show that it appears the prevalence of dental disease among American Indians is increasing. Read on to learn more about how poor dental health can affect your overall health.
Poorly Controlled Diabetes: If you have diabetes, you’re already at increased risk of developing gum disease. But chronic gum disease may, in fact, make diabetes more difficult to control. An infection may cause insulin resistance, which affects blood sugar control.
Cardiovascular Disease: Oral inflammation due to bacteria, also called gingivitis, may also play a role in clogged arteries and blood clots. It appears that bacteria in the mouth may cause inflammation throughout the body, including the arteries. This inflammation may cause buildup of plaques in the arteries, possibly increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Preterm Birth: Severe gum disease may increase the risk of preterm delivery and giving birth to a low birth weight baby. Research estimates that as many as 18 percent of preterm, low birth weight babies born in the U.S. each year may be attributed to oral infections. They suspect oral bacteria release toxins, which reach the placenta through the mother’s bloodstream and interfere with the growth and development of the fetus.
Nutrition: Sensitivity in the mouth or pain while eating caused by dental problems can affect the foods we chose to eat. This can result in elimination of entire food groups which can greatly affect our health. Be sure to talk to your dentist about any pain or sensitivity in your mouth during your routine checkups.
Start taking care of your oral health early on in life because you’re making an investment in your overall health, not just for now, but for the future, too. See the information below to find steps to care for your mouth in all stages of life.
March 2016
For National Nutrition Month® 2016, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ITCA are encouraging everyone to “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right”. Food works as fuel for our bodies and gives us the nutrients we need to fight off disease, heal wounds, bring life into this world, and more. Food is a source of enjoyment, a means of social gatherings, and something that brings us all together. Take this month to savor the food that does so much for us with some of these tips:
Enjoy Social Experiences
Whenever an important event or holiday comes around, what do we all gather together to do? EAT! Gathering around food to share and converse with friends and family is something that puts everyone in a good mood. Even something as simple as a nightly family dinner has been proven to be beneficial in terms of strengthening family relationships as well as healthy eating. Savor those moments.
Appreciate Foods Pleasures and Flavors
In today’s busy world, many of us eat on the run and don’t even sit down for a bite. This has resulted in many of us eating quickly and mindlessly. Slow down. Savor each bite and actually experience your food. Eating slower has been linked to eating less because your stomach has time to tell your brain it is getting full.
Flavor your Food in a Healthy Way
Sugar, fat, and salt are three of the things Americans tend to consume in excess.
Sugar: 50% of the sugar in the typical diet comes from sweetened beverages and another 25% comes from sweet treats. Try to:
Fat: The average American eats 26 grams of saturated fat per day. That’s almost twice the recommended amount. To cut down, try to:
Salt: Nearly all Americans consume too much salt and 75% of salt comes from eating processed and restaurant foods. Try to:
For more information on National Nutrition Month, visit:
February 2016
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona WIC Program is increasing awareness of the prevalence of heart disease in the United States, particularly in American Indian women. Heart disease causes one in three deaths in women each year. That equates to one woman every minute. American Indians die from heart diseases at younger ages than other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Thirty–six percent of those who die of heart disease die before age 65. February is National Heart Month so join us in taking a stand against America’s top killer, heart disease, because 80% of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action.
The first step is becoming familiar with your family history. The information you provide will help your doctor be on the lookout for early signs of the same diseases in you and your children. Go to your doctor for regular physicals and screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol. This is especially important because heart disease may have no symptoms.
We can also take measures every day to help keep our hearts healthy.
Eat Well: Eat foods that will fuel your body by:
Exercise Well: Manage your weight. Choose activities that you will enjoy doing such as hiking, gardening, or traditional dancing. You can do anything physical that keeps your heart rate up for 30 minutes 5 days a week. If you don’t have time for a whole workout, try doing spouts of exercise for just 10 mins a few times throughout the day.
Live Well: Try to adopt healthy habits that help manage stress such as smudging or exercise. Make sure you get enough sleep each night. When you’re asleep, your heart rate and blood pressure go down. That gives your heart a much needed break. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.
February is a month to take a stand against heart disease. Talk to your doctor and start making healthy choices each and every day. For more information, check out these r esources:
ITCA is pleased to announce that videos are now available in English and Spanish to help new WIC clients learn about WIC and how to use WIC benefits!
January 2016
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona is working to raise awareness of birth defects and to promote strategies that can reduce the risk of birth defects and their complications. The National Birth Defects Prevention Network’s 2016 theme is “Making Healthy Choices to Prevent Birth Defects: Make a PACT for Prevention.” Although not all birth defects can be prevented, the community can help all women, including teens, who could become pregnant or are pregnant to lower their risk of having babies with birth defects by encouraging them to follow some basic health guidelines throughout their reproductive years:
Plan ahead
Avoid harmful substances
Choose a healthy lifestyle
Talk to your healthcare provider
January is a perfect time to call additional attention to the importance of folic acid in preventing certain birth defects. The United States Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms (400mcg or .4mg) of folic acid daily to prevent up to 50 – 70% of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
You can make a difference in the lives of our families.
For more information on Birth Defects Prevention, visit:
FY 2024 ITCA-AAA Title III & VI Monitoring Schedule
FY24 TIII & TVI Monitoring Schedule
FY 2022 Monitoring Schedule:
FY22 Title III & Title VI Monitoring Schedule
FY 2020 Monitoring Schedule:
FY2020 Title III ITCA-AAA Monitoring Schedule
FY 2019 Monitoring Schedule:
FY2019 ITCA-AAA Monitoring Schedule Rev. 2.28.19
FY 2018 Monitoring Schedule:
Rev. 5.18.18_FY2018 ITCA-AAA Monitoring Schedule
FY2018 Monitoring Checklist for Admin, C1 & C2 Services
FY 2017 Monitoring Schedule:
2023-2024 Training Schedule for Tribal Water and Wastewater Utilities Personnel
The ITCA National Tribal Water Systems Operator Certification Program is pleased to provide this schedule of free operator training and certification events (see below Table of Events). The table will be periodically updated as new training course are confirmed.
When a course is open for registration, its title is shown in the table with an active link. Click on the active course title in the table for details and registration instructions. Events that have already occurred are shown in gray with a strike-through. Events that are not yet open for registration are shown in black and don’t have active links.
Some courses are offered more than once to provide operators with options. Instructors may vary from one course offering to another.
Types of Course Formats
The in-person Part 2 picks up where the virtual Part 1 ends. The in-person Part 2 will not spend any time reviewing curriculum content covered during the virtual Part 1.
For certification preparation courses that are in the blended format, the in-person Part 2 includes in-person certification exam sessions.
Training Contact Hours
All ITCA Program training events provide opportunity for students to earn training contact hours based on participation and attendance.
The terms “lesson”, “class”, and “course” are defined in the ITCA Standards for Contact Hour Credit from Virtual Training Events document.
Click here: ITCA Standards for Online Training Contact Hours.
Certified Exams
Travel Expense Reimbursement
Participant travel expense reimbursement stipends are available for participants of the in-person parts of ITCA Program training and certification events. For more information, contact the ITCA Tribal Water Systems Program by phone at (602) 258-4822, or by email at TWSInfo@itcaonline.com.
*Specified Regional or Area Designations
Most of the online training courses are listed without any specified region or area and are therefore, open without restriction. However, some training courses are listed for certain regions or areas. Such training courses are made possible by funding agencies for the express purpose of serving certain geographic areas. When a course is listed for a specific region or area, two different registration options are available—Priority Registration, and General Admission Waiting List.
If you work on Tribal lands in the region or area specified for that course, please use the “priority registration” option. Priority registration will be monitored and tracked based on the work address provided during registration.
Online training course size is limited to preserve the high quality of student-focused instruction. A general admission waiting list is available for personnel working on Tribal lands that are outside of the region or area specified for the particular course. Selection for the course will be first come, first served based on seats available after the priority registration seats are filled.
IHS Area Map, below
Click Here: USEPA Regional Map
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Table of Events
Key to abbreviations:
“v” = virtual, live online
“B” = blend (part 1 is online, part 2 is in-person)
“ip” = in-person
| Course ID# | Operator Training/Certification Event | Start & End Date | Days of Week | A.M./P.M. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ——— | 2023 Computer Based Testing Coming soon 2024 Computer Based Testing | 2023 year-around2024 year-around | ——— | ——— |
| Wastewater | ||||
| #24013(v) | Wastewater Math Operator Training Course, virtual |
(v) May 29-June 7 |
daily | A.M. |
| #24016(B) | Wastewater Collection-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) June 17-21 | M, T, Th, F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) June 24-28 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24039(ip) | Wastewater Federal Regulations Training Course, in-person *Region 9 priority |
(ip) August 6-8 location TBA |
T, W, Th | all day |
| #24046(B) | Wastewater Treatment-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 9 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) August 12-16 | M, T, Th, F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) August 19-23 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24047(B) | Wastewater Treatment-Level 2 Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 9 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) August 12-16 | M, T, Th, F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) August 19-23 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24071(v) | Wastewater Math Operator Training Course, virtual |
(v) September 17-26 | daily | A.M. |
| #24080(B) | Wastewater Collection-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) October 8-11 | T, W, Th, F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) October 14-18 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24081(B) | Wastewater Lagoons Operator Training Course, blended |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) October 29-31 | T, W, Th | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) November 4-7 location, TBA |
M thru Th | all day | |
| Drinking Water | ||||
| #24005(B) | SDWA Federal Regulations Operator Certification Training Course, blended |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) April 2-5 | T,W,Th,F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) April 8-12 Parker, AZ |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24004(B) | Water Distribution-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 9 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) April 15-18 | M,T,W,TH | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) April 22-26 Parker, AZ |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24008(B) | Water Treatment-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) April 22-26 | M thru F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) April 29-May 3 Albuquerque, NM |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24009(B) | Water Treatment-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 9 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) May 6-10 | M thru F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) May 13-17 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24014(B) | Water Distribution-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) June 3-7 | M thru F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) June 10-14 California, TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24015(v) | General Module & Very Small Water Systems Operator Training Course, virtual |
(v) June 4-14 |
M thru F | A.M. |
| #24018(B) | Water Distribution-Level 2 Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 9 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) July 8-12 | M thru F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) July 15-19 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24020(B) | General Module & Very Small Water Systems Operator Certification / Credential Training Course, blended *Region 8 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) July 10-12 | W, Th, F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) July 15-19 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24036(ip) | Water Treatment Federal Regulations Operator Certification Training Course, in-person *Region 9 priority |
(ip) July 29-August 2 location TBA |
M thru F | A.M. |
| #24038(B) | Water Distribution-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 10 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) August 5-16 | M, W, F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) August 19-23 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24048(B) | Water Treatment-Level 2 Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 9 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) August 19-23 | M thru F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) August 26-30 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| #24070(B) | SDWA Federal Regulations Operator Certification Training Course, blended *Region 10 priority |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) September 18-20 | W, Th, F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) September 23-27 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| Specialized Training | ||||
| #24011(v) | Professional Development Webinars Topic 1: Building Standard Operating Procedures Topic 2: Source Water Protection |
(v) May 22 | Wednesday | A.M. |
| #24017(ip) | Asset Management & Utility Finance Operator Training Course, in-person *Region 10 priority |
(ip) June 25-27 location TBA |
T, W, Th | All day |
| #24021(ip) | Backflow Assembly Tester Professional Certification Training Course, in-person |
(ip) July 22-27, Tempe, AZ |
M thru Sat | All day |
| #24030(ip) | Region 5 Tribal Water Utilities Summit Operator Training and Meeting Event, in-person |
(ip) July 23-25 location TBA |
T, W, Th | All day |
| #24037(ip) | Paper-Booklet Exam Sessions for Operator / Professional Certification, in-person *Region 9 priority |
(ip) August 2 location TBA |
Friday | All day |
| #24040(ip) | Region 8 Tribal Water Utilities Summit Operator Training and Meeting Event, in-person |
(ip) August 6-8 location TBA |
T, W, Th | All day |
| #24049(v) | Professional Development Webinars Topic 1: Building Standard Operating Procedures Topic 2: Source Water Protection |
(v) September 5 | Thursday | A.M. |
| #24060(ip) | National Tribal Water Utilities Workgroup Meeting Operator Training and Meeting Event, in-person |
(ip) September 9-13 location TBA |
M thru F | All day |
| #24068(ip) | Paper-Booklet Exam Sessions for Operator/Professional Certification, in-person |
(ip) September 14 location TBA |
Saturday | All day |
| Tribal Utility Management | ||||
| #24010(B) | Tribal Utility Management Professional Certification Training Course, blended |
|||
| Part 1 – live on-line | (v) May 6-10 | M thru F | A.M. | |
| Part 2 – in-person | (ip) May 13-17 location TBA |
M thru F | all day | |
| I.H.S. EHSC Trainings | ||||
| ——— | I.H.S. Trainings | ——— | ——— | ——— |
| U.S. EPA Training | ||||
| ——— | EPA Trainings | ——— | ——— | ——— |
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) Tribal Water System Program is dedicated to providing technical assistance to tribes in order to develop technical, managerial, and financial capacity (TMF), as well as water & wastewater utility sustainability through education, access to resources, training, and technical assistance. The program partners with federal agencies and other organizations to ensure these services are available to Tribal Water Utility operators and managers.
Caregiver Webinars:
New Caregiver Reporting Forms Webinar 10/30/17
pp reporting forms 10.28.17 (Handout)
Recent Webinars:
FY 2016 Closeout Discussion (June 22, 2016)
DAARS Recorded Tutorials:
Title III Congregate Meals – 9.29.15
DAARS Tutorial – Adding New Authorization Period 11.09.15
DAARS Tutorial Annual Reassessment 11.04.15
Recorded Webinars:
Q&A DAARS Session (Recorded Webinar) – 9/30/2015
FY2016 Title III Program Manager’s Meeting – 10/6/2015
FY 2016 Title III Service Reporting PPT_10.6.15 (Handout)
Eligibility Requirements for Title VI Funds
Administration on Aging Title VI Resource Manual
Title VI Annual Program Performance Report (PPR)
Title VI Quarterly Program Performance Report (PPR) for ITCA Consortium Tribes Only
Helpful Websites
Laurai Atcitty, AAA Director
Laurai.Atcitty@itcaonline.com
Mary Weston, AAA Program Manager
Mary.Weston@itcaonline.com
Jackie Edwards, Family Caregiver Support Program Coordinator
Jackie.Edwards@itcaonline.com
Nanette Taho, Nutrition Analyst/Program Coordinator
Nanette.Taho@itcaonline.com
Stephanie Barehand, Public Benefits/Independent Living Support Specialist II
Stephanie.Barehand@itcaonline.com
Roxanne Thomas, AAA Program Specialist II
Roxanne.Thomas@itcaonline.com
Flor Olivas, AAA Tribal Ombudsman Specialist
Flor.Olivas@itcaonline.com
Linda Oosahwe, Administrative Assistant
Linda.Oosahwe@itcaonline.com
September 2015
33% of children in the United States are overweight or obese. 43% of American Indian children aged 2-4 are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. There is a greater risk for breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and asthma and social and psychological problems such as discrimination and poor self-esteem in children with obesity.
The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented. In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, ITCA encourages your family to make healthy changes together.
Taking small steps as a family can help your child stay at a healthy weight.
For more information on Childhood Obesity, visit:
For more information on healthy eating and physical activity, visit:
Navajo Nation Witnesses Changing Landscape: Growing Sand Dunes
Revised Air Pollution Plan for an Arizona Coal-Fired Plant Spurs Debate
‘Polluted Parks’ Analysis Finds Southwestern National Parks Among Worst in Air Quality
Report: Valley’s air quality suffers, drought blamed
Valley Fever: What In The Haboob Am I Talking About?
American Lung Association State of the Air 2015 – Arizona
EPA awards $1.2 million brownfields grants to three Arizona communities
FACT SHEET: White House Launches American Business Act on Climate Pledge
The Administration Takes a Big Step in Addressing Climate-Damaging HFCs
In Perspective: the Supreme Court’s Mercury and Air Toxics Rule Decision
EPA: Launching a New Era of State, Tribal, Local and International Partnerships
EPA announces availability of $1 million for tribes to upgrade diesel engines
August 1-7, 2015
Every August, ITCA WIC highlights the importance of promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding by celebrating World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month. The theme this year is Breastfeeding and Work – Let’s Make it Work! The theme is focused on recognizing and promoting lactation support in the work place.
Worldwide, more than 170 countries celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. At the community level, ITCA WIC clinics will be hosting health fairs, community walking and running events, and breastfeeding talking circles. Activities and events will help spread awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and the risks of not breastfeeding, along with supporting moms in the workplace.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, both babies and mothers gain many benefits from breastfeeding. Human milk provides the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk is easy to digest and offers breastfeeding infants protection against bacterial and viral infections. Research indicates that women who breastfeed may have lower rates of certain breast and ovarian cancers. Breastfeeding also helps mother’s health and healing following childbirth.
For more information about ITCA WIC’s support of World Breastfeeding Week or a local agency’s planned activities, please contact Claresa Bedonie at (602)-307-1510, or email claresa.bedonie@itcaonline.com. For more information and ideas on how to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2015, visit http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/.
United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) National Breastfeeding Week Proclamation
