CHEER CHAMPion of the Week: Brieah Hudson!

​Brieah Hudson, MPH, CHES, DrPH(candidate), is the State WIC Peer Counselor Coordinator for the Mississippi WIC Program at the Mississippi State Department of Health. She is an invaluable CHAMPS collaborator and has been phenomenal at helping us find CHAMPS community transformers and locations for trainings! Brieah has also recruited students from Jackson State University and members from local churches to meet once a month to discuss breastfeeding and have round table discussions about the health issues that African-American women face daily.
 
CHAMPS community transformers are women in the community who have breastfed or expressed breast milk for at least 6 months and who are willing to be a role model for other women just starting their breastfeeding journey. They meet with mothers one-on-one and in support groups called breastfeeding clubs at various locations such as the Jackson Medical Mall, local community centers or churches. At times, fathers, grandmothers, and expectant mothers also come to these meetings. At the breastfeeding clubs, topics such as diaper changing, nutrition during breastfeeding, and how to find the best pediatrician may also be discussed.
 
Community transformers attend a 2-day training for a total of 12 hours where they learn evidence-based approaches to helping women with breastfeeding. Brieah has secured locations for these trainings either at the Jackson Medical Mall or the Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity (through her connection with Director Benita Burt, a strong advocate for nutrition and women’s health). Community transformers also meet with Brieah monthly and keep in touch with her through Facebook. Brieah helps them develop discussion topics and is the expert they can go to with difficult breastfeeding issues or questions. Brieah has found community transformers through church newsletters, local health departments, schools, and by working with hospitals and community organizations to identify women who would be good at encouraging mothers new to breastfeeding. Many thanks to Brieah for her wonderful commitment to breastfeeding and to CHAMPS! ​

Note: This post has been transferred from CHAMPSbreastfeed.org.  There were originally 13 comments.  You can view them in this document. 

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