Diaper insecurity is both a health challenge and a barrier to jobs.
Support is needed to continue the Diaper Connections screening and distribution program.
Watch the press conference here. Download photos here.
Click here to make a virtual donation.
HARTFORD – The Diaper Bank of Connecticut and the Connecticut Hospital Association are partnering with state leaders and lawmakers to advance a statewide push to address diaper insecurity and increase support for the Diaper Connections program, which screens for diaper need at local hospitals and provides diapers to families through community partners.
At a press conference at the State Capitol on April 17, 2024, advocates and lawmakers announced the launch of the Diaper Connections Statewide Diaper Drive and called for enhanced state funding for The Diaper Bank of Connecticut. Advocates were joined by Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Representative Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), and Representative Tim Ackert (R-Coventry).
As families face increasing financial challenges, more and more families are unable to afford enough diapers without cutting back on other necessities. The Diaper Bank of Connecticut has a limited supply of diapers to meet this growing need, and support is critical to continue the Diaper Connections program.
“One out of every two families have difficulty affording a sufficient supply of diapers for their children. And one in four caregivers have missed work because they did not have enough diapers to drop their child off at child care, with most care centers requiring at least seven days’ supply of diapers,” said Janet Stolfi Alfano, CEO of The Diaper Bank of Connecticut. “Increased funding is imperative to maintain and expand the existing level of diaper distribution in Connecticut and continue the Diaper Connections program, a first-in-the nation model of diaper distribution.”
“Diapers are a health-related social need and are essential to the health and the economic success of families,” said Dr. Selina Osei, Director of Health Equity and Community Engagement at the Connecticut Hospital Association. “Diaper need affects a family’s ability to go to work and school and threatens the health of a family by increasing the likelihood of maternal depression, parental stress, and diaper rash in infants and children. In response to this need, the Connecticut Hospital Association partnered with The Diaper Bank of Connecticut to address diaper insecurity through Diaper Connections. Support is needed to continue providing necessary diaper supply to families through this program.”
“As a dad to two young kids, I understand firsthand how many diapers a family goes through on a daily basis and how expensive that is for families in need,” said Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “That’s why I’m proud to stand alongside advocates and state officials today to launch this drive, and why I am committed to supporting policies that make diapers more accessible and affordable for all Connecticut families.”
“Hearing those statistics makes me think about the every day, and there are so many families struggling financially to afford their rent, to afford food, to pay for their electric bills,” said Representative Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), House Chair of the Human Services Committee. “When I first learned about Diaper Connections, it just makes sense. Thanks also to the Hospital Association for partnering with The Diaper Bank of Connecticut and all the hospitals across the state that are engaged in this important work…As we continue in these final few weeks of the legislative session, we want to ensure that if there are dollars available – and there are – if we can find those ARPA dollars to continue this important work, that’s much needed.
“We are deciding the fate of the next generation based on the generation’s ability to have diapers. And we can fix that,” said Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee. “When you hear that one out of every two families cannot afford diapers for their children, or they’re trying to make a choice because they’re trying to make sure their kids are fed, we have a lot of work to do.”
“This effort is truly laudable and I look forward to supporting it in any way I can,” said Representative Tim Ackert (R-Coventry).
“Diapers are one of the social determinants of health for our families,” said Luis Rivera, Community Relations Manager, Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health. “When we were approved by the Connecticut Hospital Association to join in the Diaper Connections program, it was a big blessing for us because now we had additional resources so that we could be able to provide diapers to families in Hartford, in Connecticut that needed them the most… My ask is for the legislators to continue to financially support The Diaper Bank of Connecticut so that we can continue the Diaper Connections program and continue to provide the diapers that our low-income families need.”
Diaper Connections is a first-in-the-nation pilot program that implements screening for diaper need at hospitals and leverages existing local community assets and partnerships to organize distribution channels, and distribute diapers in hospital settings such as labor and delivery units, maternity and pediatric clinics, emergency departments, and primary care sites. Diaper Connections has distributed over 2 million diapers to over 2,000 children since launching in November of 2022. Diaper Connections provides a point of engagement for care providers to identify diaper need and connect individuals not only to a basic necessity but to influence the health and wellbeing of parents and children.
To learn more and support The Diaper Bank of Connecticut and Diaper Connections click here to make a virtual donation. A $25 donation can provide one child with a month’s supply of diapers through the program.
Fast Facts About Diaper Need:
- 1 out of every 2 families have difficulty affording a sufficient supply of diapers for their children
- Diaper need affects a family’s ability to go to work and school and threatens the health of a family by increasing the likelihood of maternal depression, parental stress, and diaper rash in infants and children
- Diapers are an essential means to ensure diaper hygiene and prevent a range of avoidable medical conditions in infants and young children, including poor infant sleep, infant and child urinary tract infections, and diaper dermatitis (known as “diaper rash”)
- Diaper need has been shown to be the number one stressor and risk factor for postpartum depression
- 1 in 4 caregivers missed work because they did not have enough diapers to drop their child off at child care. This equates to over $6,000 of lost income on average. (Most child care centers and family child care providers require at least seven days’ supply of diapers to leave a child at a child care center so that the caregiver can attend work or school)
Watch the press conference here.
Download photos here.
