Congratulations to the Florida Department of Health Clay County for receiving certification as a silver-level I am a Healthy Start Employer for creating a culture of health and wellbeing for families in the workplace!

The certification is awarded to employers that work hard to ensure families receive the support and education they need before, during and after pregnancy. There are three levels of certification: Bronze, Silver & Gold. Certification is based on a self-assessment completed with I am a Healthy Start Employer staff.

To receive the silver-level certification, FDOH Clay met requirements around breastfeeding; information and resources; policies; and child care, including providing lactation rooms, having a maternity leave policy and providing resources to employees.

FDOH Clay has an especially strong commitment to supporting breastfeeding moms. Each building has at least one lactation room for breastfeeding or pumping moms. New moms who are exclusively breastfeeding are afforded the opportunity to bring their babies to work with them for two months. Moms also have access to a wealth of knowledge and support — there are multiple certified lactation counselors on staff and Administrator Heather Huffman is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.