About this assessment
This nine-question self-assessment helps emergency management teams across North Carolina evaluate readiness to support safe infant and young child feeding (IYCF-E) before, during, and after disasters. Answer each question honestly — when you select No or Unsure, targeted resources will appear to help close the gap. When you're done, send your responses to the SAFE team for follow-up support.
Governance & Partnership
Who is the designated lead official or agency responsible for the safety of infant and young child feeding during a disaster in your community?
If no lead has been formally designated, the SAFE Team recommends designation of the County Public Health Department (Maternal & Child Health / WIC) in partnership with Emergency Management, with support from local breastfeeding coalitions. Email the SAFE team for help establishing this role →
Are specific IYCF-E considerations currently integrated into your Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) or relevant functional annexes?
The SAFE Team has already developed a complete policy adoption package — including model EOP annex language, a ready-to-customize policy template, and implementation guidance.
Have you identified and established a communication line with local "infant feeding champions" (e.g., IBCLCs, WIC staff, or LLL Leaders) who can serve as technical advisors?
The North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition maintains a regional directory of IBCLCs, WIC peer counselors, and community partners by region.
Congregate Care & Shelter Operations
Do your shelter protocols require a designated, safe space for infant food and formula preparation that is separate from general food service and restrooms?
The CDC's IYCF-E Toolkit covers sanitation, infant food preparation areas, and supply requirements for congregate shelters.
Does your sheltering plan include a private, non-restroom space for breastfeeding and pumping, equipped with a power source for electronic breast pumps?
The CDC's IYCF-E Toolkit Shelter Support page describes specifications for private, powered lactation spaces in congregate shelters.
Does your jurisdiction have a formal plan for managing, storing, and disposing of unsafe formula and baby food, including donations?
Whether purchased or donated, formula and baby food that has been water-damaged, expired, broken cold-chain, or contaminated must be screened, stored separately, and disposed of safely. The CDC's IYCF-E Toolkit covers protocols for screening, storage, and distribution.
Public Information & Education
Is IYCF-E guidance — specifically regarding safe feeding during water and power advisories — readily available on your jurisdiction's public-facing preparedness websites?
NCDHHS publishes the SAFE Team's "Feeding Infants in a Disaster" guidance — plain-language, family-facing material you can link to from your jurisdiction's preparedness pages or hand out at intake.
Are there specific outreach mechanisms in place to help families understand how to protect and maintain breastfeeding during the stress of an emergency?
NCDHHS's "Feeding Infants in a Disaster" guide covers stress-resilience, relactation, and continued breastfeeding during disruptions — all in family-facing language ready to share through your outreach channels.
Do your public messages for formula-dependent families include clear instructions on how to prepare a safe meal when the water supply is compromised?
The CDC's IYCF-E Toolkit gives step-by-step guidance on preparing powdered infant formula safely during boil-water advisories and power outages.
Send your assessment to the SAFE team
Share your results with info@safeinfantfeeding.org to receive tailored follow-up resources, sample policy language, and connections to local champions.
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