Details
 

08/01/2019

Certified Lactation Counselor

Cleveland Department of Public Health

MomsFirst is administered through the Cleveland Department of Public Health and enrolls pregnant adolescents and women living in the city of Cleveland at risk for poor birth outcomes. To accomplish this, MomsFirst subcontracts with agencies which, by mission, mandate or practice, assist low-income and/or minority populations. Much of MomsFirst’s success is the blending of a grassroots approach with evidence based interventions by a compassionate staff.

MomsFirst (formerly Healthy Family/Healthy Start) was funded in 1991 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as one of fifteen demonstration projects with the goal of reducing infant mortality by 50% over five years. The model has been refined to reach women that are at the highest risk of experiencing an infant death, low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW) baby. MomsFirst’s primary goals are to reduce disparities in infant mortality and poor birth outcomes (low birth weight and very low birth weight) experienced by African Americans. This is realized by addressing contributing factors which impact these trends. Contributing factors may be those that impact a pregnancy directly such as prenatal care, smoking, etc. or those that may have a long term effect on a woman’s general health and the health of her children such as poverty, violence and other stressors. Community Health Workers (CHWs) assist participants with obtaining health insurance, finding a medical home, providing health education on a variety of topics, conducting screenings and making referrals for needed services.

Our Project has identified increasing the number of women who initiate breastfeeding and increasing the duration of breastfeeding as performance measures we’d like to improve. MomsFirst has trained our staff on the benefits of breastfeeding, obtained culturally sensitive educational materials and developed a compilation of breastfeeding resources in the community. We are seeking a Certified Lactation Counselor to design and implement additional interventions to assist us with improving breastfeeding rates.  

The goal is to support the mother-baby breastfeeding dyad through education, staff development, consultation, counseling, and community involvement in a variety of settings.

The Cleveland MomsFirst Project is seeking a Certified Lactation Counselor to perform the following tasks:

1. Design and implement culturally sensitive breastfeeding interventions.
2. Review, develop and/or compile appropriate breastfeeding literature and audiovisual material to be used by the Project.
3. Provide staff development training on breastfeeding curriculum and interventions.
4. Develop and facilitate support groups for lactating moms.
5. Provide in-home support to breastfeeding moms to resolve breastfeeding problems by co-visiting with the Community Health Worker.
6. Coach moms as needed to maintain breastfeeding, including regular check-ins through in-person contact and telephone counseling.
7. Engage and promote father/partner involvement in supporting breastfeeding at both the community and individual level.
8. Encourage support by the expectant father/dad by working with the Fatherhood Coordinator on ways to provide breastfeeding education.
9. Promote breastfeeding in the community by presenting at MomsFirst Neighborhood Consortia meetings.
10. Provide health education and referral as needed to meet participant needs.
11. Maintain accurate and up to date documentation on all participant activity in the MomsFirst data system.
12. Engage with community partnerships around breastfeeding issues.

 Key Competencies

The selected Certified Lactation Counselor will meet the following criteria:  

1. Currently a Certified Lactation Counselor demonstrating competency in lactation skills, knowledge and attitudes essential to support breastfeeding mothers and babies.
2. Ability to assess, monitor and support breastfeeding mothers.
3. Compliance with The Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice code of ethics (attached).
4. Two years of hospital or community-based experience working with breastfeeding mothers and infants.
5. Demonstrated evidence of continuing education and professional development.
6. Utilize culturally competent curriculums, materials and approaches to educate, counsel and support families with complex breastfeeding situations.
7. An Associate’s Degree is required, with a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) or Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited school of professional nursing preferred.
8. Knowledge of community health and social service resources.
9. Proficient in Microsoft Office and internet navigation.
10. Excellent communication, organization, documentation skills.
11. Knowledge of factors related to racial and ethnic health disparities.
12. Valid driver’s license and dependable transportation required.

Budget for Coordinator’s services must not exceed $49,500.00 and cannot be used for equipment purchases. Funding is available from July 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020; renewal is subject to continued availability of funding.

Deliverables and Timelines

Please note, at the discretion of the funding agency, reporting timetables are subject to change. The proposed timeline for the submission of documents and reports are as follows:

1. All consultants will be required to use a web based data system called the Well Family System (WFS). The technology standards required by WFS are as follows:

1 GHz processor or higher, 1 GB RAM (recommend 2 GB or higher)

Windows 7 or higher, Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher (recommend Internet Explorer 10 or 11). Note: WFS only supports Internet Explorer browser 9 and higher.

Up-to-date anti-virus, spyware, and malware protection

Broadband internet connection for all users (2Mbps download or higher recommended speed)

1024 x 768 or higher resolution

JAVA enabled (this is usually the default setting)

Popup blocker disabled for http://www.gobeyondllc.com and http://www.gbcmc.com

White list the domains gobeyondllc.com and gbcmc.com

1. The web based data system is the record of note for all case activity. Information on all enrolled fathers will be entered into the MomsFirst data system within 24 hours of contact. Reimbursement will be withheld if documentation requirements are not met.
2. Grant funds are provided on a reimbursement basis.
3. Invoices shall be submitted monthly for payment with accompanying timesheet.

Proposal Elements

Each proposal must contain the following format and content requirements. Failure to do so will result in exclusion from the funding process.

Content

1. Proposals must document previous and current experience in working with the target population.
2. Demonstrate the capacity to manage data entry and utilize technology resources.
3. Begin each section of the narrative on a new page. Limit your answer to the amount of space specified for that particular section of the narrative.
4. Deadline extensions will not be granted for any reason. No faxes or emails will be accepted.

Format

Cover Page - 1 page maximum

• Name and address of the applicant
• Phone, fax numbers, and email address of the applicant

Narrative - 3 page maximum

• Provide a description of the key competencies you have from those included in the RFP
• Describe prior experience working with the target population including a concise explanation of the capacity to carry out the proposed project
• Describe the engagement and outreach service approach/intervention to be used
• Describe any potential conflicts of interest in providing these services                                              

Budget and Budget Narrative

• A line item budget and an accompanying budget narrative should be submitted explaining time and hour commitments and hourly rate.  

Reviewers will be evaluating the budget based on the following questions

• Does the budget justification provide a basis for the program proposed and the number of individuals targeted?

Supplemental Materials

• Current Resume

Letters of Support:

• Two letters demonstrating effectiveness in role as a Certified Lactation Counselor
• One letter from past or current funder, if applicable

Submittal Instructions

Please submit an original and five (5) copies of the proposal and supporting documentation no later than 3:00 pm on August 16, 2019  to:

Lisa Matthews, MomsFirst Project Director
Cleveland Department of Public Health
75 Erieview Plaza
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

All questions regarding this request for proposal shall be addressed to:

Lisa Matthews, MomsFirst Project Director
Cleveland Department of Public Health
75 Erieview Plaza
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 664-4281
Email: lmatthews@city.cleveland.oh.us

Criteria for Payment Approval

Payment for services will be processed upon submission of an approved invoice to the MomsFirst Project and is contingent upon:

• An executed contract;
• Satisfactory completion of the above referenced scope of services; and
• Timely submission of deliverables;
• Submission of detailed invoice outlining work accomplished during the billing period.

Printer-Friendly Version