Breastfeeding Support Services

Breastfeeding yields many positive health benefits to infants and mothers. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by the introduction of solid foods and continued breastfeeding until two years or more as mutually desired by parent and baby. However, the data shows that while many parents wish to breastfeed, many discontinue breastfeeding in the early weeks and months after birth due to lack of support, challenges with breastfeeding, and the reality of returning to work or school.

Given the importance of breastfeeding, the intent of this funding opportunity is to support an effective program that will: support new parents with the initiation and continuation of exclusive breastfeeding through at least six months, and preferably one year after birth; and work to reduce racial disparities in breastfeeding rates.

The Commission is seeking an organization that has at least five years of experience providing breastfeeding support services in Sacramento County, incorporates the use of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in advanced levels of care, and can provide the minimum services as specified in the attached Specifications Sheet, which include but are not limited to: education, support, and 1:1 consultation.

Focus of Funding

Strategy 2C – Breastfeeding Support: Breastfeeding education and lactation support services for pregnant people and those with children up to one year old, particularly among communities with lower rates of breastfeeding.

Requirements

The following are the minimum elements required in provision of breastfeeding support services.

• Staffing patterns may include a variety of positions (i.e. Peer Counselors, Lactation Consultant Educators) but **must** include International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) to provide clinical guidance and advanced levels of assessment and care.
• Applicant must have at least five years of experience providing breastfeeding support as one of your core services in Sacramento County, with at least some of those services provided by an IBCLC.
• Services should be easily accessible to birthing and new parents (this includes those that are pregnant and/or have a child up to one year of age) throughout Sacramento County and should address barriers to access. Services must be provided in the community, at geographically and strategically dispersed locations throughout the County where breastfeeding rates are lowest. Services may also be provided in homes when needed. [...]
• Clients should be provided with assistance to initiate and continue exclusive breastfeeding to at least 6 months of age, and up to one year. Guidance should be provided in line with the American Academy of Pediatric recommendations.
• The program should have a plan to intentionally incorporate culturally responsive methods to serve diverse families and address these disparities. Applicant must have demonstrated experience successfully working with diverse communities, including families on WIC and those with limited access to breastfeeding supports.

Core Services at a Minimum Must Include

• Education and support regarding: the importance and benefits of breastfeeding; techniques for breastfeeding, including but not limited to positioning and latch; assessment and recommendations for potential breastfeeding challenges; expression, storage, and preparation of breastmilk; proper mixing and storage of formula for families that choose to mix feed; and preparing to return to work or school.
• A mechanism for parents to ask basic breastfeeding questions via phone or electronic methods (i.e. text or email); however a response should be provided by a trained professional within 24 hours.
• Client access to one-on-one, individualized, in person assistance with a IBCLC to get assistance with breastfeeding techniques (including positioning, latch, on-demand feeding), address specific concerns and challenges, and develop a plan for continued breastfeeding.
• Follow up with clients who received services to offer additional education, assess success with breastfeeding, and schedule follow up appointments as needed.
• Assistance will be provided to clients to help them secure methods to express breastmilk. This may include but is not limited to: hand expression techniques, knowledge of where to rent or purchase manual or electronic pumps, assistance with navigation through medical plans to secure a pump, and education on school and work accommodations and rights for breastfeeding parents.

**Responses must be submitted electronically** to OpenGov at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/saccounty by **November 16, 2026, 5:00pm**. The Commission is not responsible for delays in submission due to internet outages, software and computer issues, or other technical difficulties.

Following the submission deadline, a screening tool will be used to determine applicant eligibility and next steps. If only one agency successfully responds to the DOI, the Commission will engage in an application process to gather additional details. If more than one agency successfully responds to the DOI, a Request for Proposals (RFP) process will be initiated; only successful DOI applicants will be eligible to apply in such an RFP.

The Commission reserves the right to release addendums to this DOI, request additional information from applicants, re-release the DOI, and cancel the DOI.

Up to **$600,000** is available over the Commission’s identified term period (July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2030).

Public, private, non-profit, governmental, and faith-based organizations that are located in or currently serving people in Sacramento County are welcome to apply. A single entity or consortium of entities in Sacramento County may apply. While partnerships and subcontracts are allowed, organizations cannot apply for the funds and then re-grant the funds to other entities to provide the services.

Applicant Notification of DOI Screening Results: December 2, 2026.