NUTRITION PRODUCTION/EDUCATION

Project will assist LLLI to establish a lactation center to promote the increased frequency and duration of breastfeeding and improve nutritional practices. The Centro de Apoyo de Lactancia Materna (CALMA) will be established with a full staff consisting of a director, two assistant directors, an administrative assistant, secretary, accountant, driver, and live-in caretaker. The core staff will be hired and monitored by a Board of Supervisors that includes LLLI branch personnel, medical professionals, and Salvadorean officials. Assistants to CALMA will supervise project activities, including managing public information and fund-raising. Local professional medical consultation will be available to CALMA when needed for advice on its activities. CALMA"s staff will be fully trained to disseminate information directly benefitting mothers and to operate training programs for health professionals, paraprofessionals, national decisionmakers, and the general public, especially pregnant and lactating women. To provide a positive influence regarding breastfeeding, three seminars will be held for physicians and six seminars will be held for other medical professionals and paraprofessionals. A minimum of 75 Breastfeeding Counselors will be trained and will actively serve CALMA, hospitals, other health groups, and women"s organizations. CALMA will serve as a public center for breastfeeding, maternal child care, and family health, as well as disseminating related materials through its reference and lending library services and public information programs. CALMA will also establish a system of baseline data concerning existing breastfeeding practices that can be changed for monitoring trends. Principal beneficiaries will be health personnel participating in low-income urban and rural activities, such as breastfeeding counselors, health professionals and paraprofessionals.