To improve Connecticut's health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

• To assure access to comprehensive, current, and culturally appropriate lactation care and service for all women, children and families. 

• To ensure that breastfeeding is recognized as the normal and preferred method of feeding infants and young children.

• To ensure that all Federal, State, and local laws relating to child welfare and family law recognize and support the importance and practice of breastfeeding.

• To increase protection, promotion, and support for breastfeeding mothers in the workforce.

In July 2001, the Department of of Public Health convened representatives from local health departments, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC), American Academy of Pediatrics, hospitals, community health centers, La Leche League of Connecticut, lactation consultants, nurses, nutritionists, parent educators, consumers, and formed the Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition (CBC) to promote and support breastfeeding as the norm for infant and child feeding in Connecticut.

Click here to read our bylaws.

Michele Griswold MPH, RN, IBCLC
Chair

Lactation Consultant
Wildwood Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Essex, CT

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Michele earned her BS in Nursing from Salve Regina University and has been a registered nurse for more than 20 years. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 2001 and holds a Master of Public Health degree from Southern Connecticut State University. She is a doctoral student of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts. Michele was a founding member of the CBC; the first elected Chairperson in 2003 and is the current Chairperson. She has served on the board of directors, the conference committee and

Tamara Carey, BS, IBCLC
Secretary

Lactation Consultant
Thames Valley Council for Community Action WIC
Norwich, CT

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Tamara graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1984 with a degree in Nutritional Sciences. She did not begin her nutrition career, however, until 1994 when she started with the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) WIC program.

Christine Purnell Chase, ASA, MAAA
Treasurer

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Chris earned her BS in Mathematics and Economics from Duke University and has been an actuary at Connnecticut insurance companies for more than 20 years. She started her career at Aetna. She is currently Vice President for pharmacy trend managment in Healthcare Economics at UnitedHealth Group.

Christine Bracken, MSN, RN, IBCLC
Board Member & Liaison to Employment Committee 

The Hospital of Central Connecticut
New Britain, CT

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Chris is a registered nurse who graduated from the Ona M. Wilcox School of Nursing. She completed her BSN at Central Ct State University and Masters in Nursing Education at the University of Hartford. Chris has been employed at The Hospital of Central Connecticut as a newborn and special care nursery nurse for more than 20 years.

Caroline Smith Cooke, RD, CLC
Board Member and Liaison to Public Health Infrastructure Committee  

Connecticut Department of Public Health
Hartford, CT

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Caroline was one of the founding members of the CBC and currently shares responsibilities of the Connecticut WIC Program Breastfeeding Coordinator, including: providing technical assistance to Local WIC Agencies regarding breastfeeding promotion and support activities, adherence to federal and state breastfeeding policies and procedures;

Susan Jackman, MS, RD, CLC
Board Member and Liaison to Communities Committee 

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Susan earned a Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition at Teachers College, Columbia University. She worked as a local WIC Nutritionist for 3 years at the Norwalk Health Department, then as a WIC Nutrition Consultant at the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Rachel Jackson
Board Member and Liaison to Mothers & Families Committee

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Rachel Jackson is a community member who became involved with the Connecticut Breastfeeding Collation after being called for jury duty while she was nursing her son.  After working closely with members of the CBC Board on CT Bill 194 An Act Regarding the Postponement of Jury Duties for Breastfeeding Mothers,

Kathy Mason, BS, RNC, IBCLC
Board Member

Lactation Consultant
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital
New London, CT

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Kathy has been a nurse for more than 33 years. She first became involved in maternity services in 1982 and was Nurse Manager of the Post Partum, Labor and Delivery Unit and the NICU. She was responsible for the development of the LDRP and acted as Manager for 14 years.

Jennifer Matranga RN, CCE, IBCLC
Board Member and Liaison to Healthcare Committee 

Lactation Consultant
Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT

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Jennifer is registered nurse, certified childbirth educator and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Maternal Child Health Educator at Griffin Hospital. She is a consultant for technical assistance to the Executive Director of Baby-Friendly USA and the consultant to the Connecticut Breastfeeding Initiative (CBI).

Michele Vancour, PhD, MPH
Board Member and Liaison to Research and Surveillance Committee 

Professor
Southern Connecticut State University
Department of Public Health
New Haven, CT

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Michele is a professor of public health at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). Throughout her fourteen year tenure, her time has been split between administrative and academic responsibilities. She was the founder and director of the University’s Wellness Center for ten years, but stepped down in January 2008 to dedicate more time to developing and improving work-family initiatives on campus in consultation with Human Resources.