FIELD EXPERIENCE REPORT: AMENDING THE COUNTYWIDE POLICY TO SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING EMPLOYEES IN RILEY COUNTY

Abstract

My public health field experience was completed at the Riley County Health Department located at 2030 Tecumseh Road, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. The Riley County Health Department was started as a city-county health department in 1952 and became a county health department in 2011.1 Riley County Health Department’s vision is “healthy people in a healthy community” and they currently serve over 75,000 residents.1 The health department seeks to improve public health by promoting the ten essential health services, which include: 1. Monitor the health of the community 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems 3. Inform, educate, and empower people 4. Mobilize community partnerships 5. Develop policies that protect and promote the health of the community 6. Enforce laws and regulations 7. Link to/provide health services 8. Assure a competent work force 9. Evaluate quality of services and programs 10. Research for new insights into improve health1 I completed 240 hours of field experience under Jessica Fiscus, MPH, who serves as the Health Educator at the health department. Jessica directs planning and implementation for community health education and outreach onsite and in community settings. She also serves on multiple committees and coalitions in Manhattan including the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition and the Riley County Perinatal Committee. Since the field of public health is so versatile, this field experience provided me with a great opportunity to broaden my experience and skillset and introduce me to public health policy making.