The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing moms breastfeed for a year if possible. However, for many working mothers, maternity leave ends before their babies are weaned, making it difficult to keep up milk production. Breastfed babies are healthier and have lower health care costs. Giving breastmilk, rather than formula, has been shown to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, ear infections, type 2 diabetes, and many other illnesses. The longer a mother feeds her child breastmilk, the more health benefits there are for both mother and child. Lactation rooms provide a secure place for these employees to express milk while at work. A private space is necessary because in order to begin the flow of milk, mothers must be able to sit down and be relaxed and not stressed. Mothers who are in an open or uncomfortable space may not be able to express milk. A private space is necessary because expressing milk is a very different experience from breastfeeding a baby in person.
MCDPH desires to contract with businesses to create or enhance lactation spaces for nursing mothers employed in their worksites. These spaces may also be open to the public as well but is not required. The total amount of funding for this project is $18,000. Respondents may submit proposals with project budgets of up to $3,000 per worksite (not per entity). Each worksite shall have its own APPLICATION sheet (attachment B) and entities can apply for as many worksites as applicable. Please note that MCDPH shall release the funds following submission of an approved invoice by the applicant and may request verification of how project funds are being spent.
Multiple contracts with successful candidates may be awarded and Maricopa County reserves the right to award to the Contractors most advantageous to the County.
