Foundations and IYCF-E Rapid Needs Assessment
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Many thanks to the Jon Stickley Trio for allowing us to use their music. “Scripting the Flip” and “Della’s Walk” copyright Jon Stickley Trio, all rights reserved.
This first training session lays some foundations for supporting infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E). We cover how the aftermath of hurricane Helene demanded support for families with infants and young children, how the SAFE Team began responding and grew to meet community needs, what IYCF-E is – and why it was a gap that needed to be filled, the impact of trauma and how to respond more sensitively, why and how to use a rapid needs assessment (RNA) in the field, and some tasks and reflections to integrate this information and apply it in your community.
Topics with time stamps:
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 0:11:46 – What is IYCF-E and why is it important?
- 0:19:29 – History of the SAFE Team – Origins after hurricane Helene in Fall, 2024
- 0:28:46 – Trauma-informed support, and dealing with trauma as a responder
- 0:39:55 – What do caregivers need to safely feed infants and young children in emergencies?
- 0:47:38 – Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) – CDC version intro
- 0:49:34 – Demo of Rapid Needs Assessment
- 0:53:10 – Rapid Needs Assessment – SAFE Team field adaptations based on CDC tool
- 0:59:00 – Sponsor Appreciation
- 1:01:25 – Homework / Learning Activity Assignments
- 1:05:03 – Q&A
Session 1 homework
- Community assessment
- Review the CDC & SAFE rapid needs assessments
- Review the Trauma-Informed Care reference sheet
- Choose a stress management technique to try or practice
- Complete the evaluation for this session
Full instructions, with everything you need for each step, are on the homework page. The handout is the same material as a printable PDF.
Handouts and Links
- CDC Rapid Needs Assessment Intake Form (IYCF-E)
- SAFE Simplified Rapid Needs Assessment
- Trauma-Informed Care Reference Sheet
- Intro to IYCF-E
- Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Toolkit
- Infant Feeding in Emergencies Core Group (IFE Core Group)
- Save the Children Toolkit
- USBC IYCF-E Constellation
- Gillings On The Ground (sph.unc.edu)
- Cgbi Resources L I F E Support Basic Kit (sph.unc.edu)
- Resources Lactation And Infant Feeding In Emergencies For Ece (sph.unc.edu)
- Covid 19 Resources (sph.unc.edu)
Keep going with us. The SAFE Support and Strategic Core meets quarterly as a free mastermind for people putting IYCF-E into practice — shared problem-solving, peer support, and updates from the team. See the dates and register.
Please Support Our Efforts
If you find this training helpful, please support our efforts with a financial donation. Click below and select “SAFE Team” to earmark for IYCF-E education and disaster response support.
Thanks to our sponsors
This work is free because these people and organizations paid for it.
Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation
A private family foundation dedicated to supporting charitable organizations that align with its mission of giving back. Grants are made only as a result of the Foundation’s own initiative.
Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities
Provides technical assistance to breastfeeding coalitions and health departments across the US, using the Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community. The SAFE Team is a project of BFFC.
In memory of Elsie Perry
Elsie Perry was a founding mother of La Leche League Boston in the 1960s. A gift made in her memory by her daughters funded an eleventh month of this training series.
BabyBjörn
Founded in 1961 and still family-owned, with a mission to make everyday life easier for parents with babies. If your community needs emergency baby gear, reach them at care@babybjorn.com.
Confident Pregnancy
Helps people be healthier, feel more confident, and find their inner strength. Tips for staying calmer and more resilient under stress at MelindaDelisle.substack.com. DBA Melinda Delisle Innovations.
Birthstone Center for Appalachian Perinatal Resilience
Strengthens perinatal health in Western North Carolina by centering families, uplifting birthworkers, and advancing equitable access to lactation, doula and maternal mental health support.
Sponsor this IYCF-E training
Interested in sponsoring or partnering with us? Get in touch.
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