Challenge Grant Mission Moment Spotlight – Lactation Empowerment for Families Program

This month’s Challenge Grant Mission Moment celebrates Catholic Charities of Southern Colorado (CCSoCo). Through Challenge Grant funding, CCSoCo expanded support for families by launching its Lactation Empowerment for Families Program, increasing access to breastfeeding education and lactation counseling in Pueblo and Fremont counties.

Through grant funding, ten Parents as Teachers parent educators were trained and certified as lactation counselors, strengthening the program’s ability to provide individualized, relationship-based support during home visits. Families receive education, practical tools, and guidance to help improve breastfeeding success and duration while building confidence in meeting their infants’ nutritional needs.

The initiative also extended lactation education across CCSoCo’s Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) and SafeCare programs, reaching 140 prenatal families and families with infants and toddlers in 2024.

By embedding certified lactation counselors within existing home visiting services, CCSoCo is helping address a local shortage of lactation resources and reducing barriers faced by low- and moderate-income families. The program promotes healthier beginnings for children while empowering parents with knowledge, support, and accessible care within their own communities.

Catholic Charities of Southern Colorado, the National Center applauds your commitment to children and families in your community.

Read more from the people involved in this project here.