Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) has received the gold-level Breastfeeding Employees Support Award from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition’s Business Case for Breastfeeding program. This recognition highlights KCSL’s commitment to providing a supportive workplace for breastfeeding employees, including time, space and resources to help new parents balance their roles as caregivers and employees.
KCSL received awards across 11 office locations: Garden City, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Independence, Iola, Newton, Overland Park, Pittsburg, Topeka, Wichita and Winfield.
Fostering Family-Friendly Work Environments
The gold-level designation reflects KCSL’s exemplary workplace policies, which include private, comfortable lactation spaces, flexible pumping breaks and a written breastfeeding support policy. In addition, KCSL’s Infant at Work policy allows eligible employees to bring their infants to work during the first six months of life, further demonstrating our commitment to fostering family-friendly work environments.
“KCSL’s support for breastfeeding and the Infant at Work policy made my transition back to work so much smoother,” said Maria Kingfisher-Smith, a KCSL employee who recently utilized both programs. “I was able to care for my baby, continue breastfeeding and stay productive. It truly shows how much KCSL values its employees and their families.”
Benefits of Workplace Breastfeeding Policies
The Business Case for Breastfeeding program helps employers establish workplace support for breastfeeding employees. Research shows that such policies benefit businesses through reduced healthcare costs, lower absenteeism, increased productivity and improved employee loyalty. Employers implementing breastfeeding support programs report a $3 return for every $1 invested.
The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition emphasizes that many mothers stop breastfeeding after returning to work due to a lack of support and facilities. By providing flexible policies, lactation accommodations and opportunities for new parents to care for their infants at work, KCSL sets a standard for organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of their employees and families.
KCSL’s gold-level recognition reflects our mission-driven focus on supporting stronger families, creating family-friendly workplaces and ensuring employees can thrive personally and professionally.
