Request for Public Comments for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Local Agency Recognition of Exemplary Breastfeeding Support Practices, 38108-38109 [2011-16289]

Download as PDF 38108 Notices Federal Register Vol. 76, No. 125 Wednesday, June 29, 2011 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. Research Service receives written evidence and argument which establishes that the grant of the license would not be consistent with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. Richard J. Brenner, Assistant Administrator. [FR Doc. 2011–16250 Filed 6–28–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Notice of Intent to Grant Exclusive License Food and Nutrition Service AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent. Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, intends to grant to P & M Signs, Inc. of Mountainair, New Mexico, an exclusive license to the Federal Government’s rights in U.S. Patent No. 6,586,504, ‘‘Wood And Plastic Composite Material And Methods For Making Same’’, issued on July 1, 2003. DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 29, 2011. ADDRESSES: Send comments to: USDA, ARS, Office of Technology Transfer, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 4–1174, Beltsville, Maryland 20705–5131. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: June Blalock of the Office of Technology Transfer at the Beltsville address given above; telephone: 301–504–5989. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The patent rights in this invention are co-owned by the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, and P & M Signs, Inc. of Mountainair, New Mexico. The prospective exclusive license will grant to the co-owner, P & M Signs, Inc., an exclusive license to the Federal Government’s patent rights. It is in the public interest to so license this invention as P & M Signs, Inc. has submitted a complete and sufficient application for a license. The prospective exclusive license will be royalty-bearing and will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. The prospective exclusive license may be granted unless, within thirty (30) days from the date of this published Notice, the Agricultural mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:48 Jun 28, 2011 Jkt 223001 Request for Public Comments for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Local Agency Recognition of Exemplary Breastfeeding Support Practices Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of request for comments. AGENCY: This notice announces a request for public comments on the approach for selecting and awarding local agencies for excellence in WIC breastfeeding services and support. Section 231 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111–296, requires that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) establish a program to recognize WIC local agencies and clinics that demonstrate exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. USDA believes that public input on the development of the recognition program would be beneficial. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before August 29, 2011. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow online instructions for submitting comments electronically. Mail: Address comments to: Debra R. Whitford, Director, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520, Alexandria, VA 22302. Respondents are strongly encouraged to submit comments through https:// www.regulations.gov, as it will simplify the review of their input and help to ensure that it receives full consideration. All comments submitted DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in response to this notice will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. All comments will be made available publicly on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Clark, Chief, Nutrition Services Branch, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520, Alexandria, VA 22302. (703) 305– 2746. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Historically, the WIC Program has promoted breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding, unless medically contraindicated. Breastfeeding promotion and support is a critical component of the services the WIC Program provides to pregnant and postpartum participants. As evidence has grown surrounding the importance of breastfeeding to the health of mothers and babies, WIC has further expanded initiatives to reinforce these activities as a priority for the WIC Program. WIC’s recent efforts surrounding breastfeeding promotion and support include changing the WIC food packages to provide enhanced packages for fully breastfeeding mothers, expanding the WIC Peer Counselor Program, and establishing WIC Breastfeeding Performance Bonus awards to State agencies. This local agency recognition program will complement these and other Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) initiatives currently underway that seek to promote and increase breastfeeding among WIC participants. It will also complement other Federal initiatives, such as the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)-led initiative, The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, as well as the recent requirement in the Patient Protection and Healthcare Reform Act (Pub. L. 111–148), that became effective in 2010, that most employers provide a reasonable break time for breastfeeding mothers. All of these initiatives work towards the common goal to meet national objectives specified in the recently released DHHS Healthy People 2020, which includes an expansion of E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 125 / Wednesday, June 29, 2011 / Notices the previously established 2010 breastfeeding objectives. While all WIC local agencies are required to implement policies and procedures to provide breastfeeding support and assistance throughout the prenatal and postpartum period, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) requires USDA to implement a program to recognize exemplary breastfeeding support practices at WIC local agencies and clinics. This program is expected to provide models and motivate other local agencies and clinics to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities. The HHFKA also authorizes the appropriation of funds for this local agency recognition program. USDA plans to begin recognizing exemplary agencies and clinics during fiscal year 2012. Awards may be monetary or non-monetary, based on the availability of funds. USDA will develop and implement this recognition program through careful consideration of information from existing recognition and incentive programs, key stakeholder input, and public comments to develop recognition award criteria and application procedures. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Key Issues on Which Public Comment is Requested In recognizing exemplary local agencies and clinics, the HHFKA requires that the Secretary consider: (1) Performance measurements of breastfeeding; (2) The effectiveness of a peer counselor program; (3) The extent to which the agency or clinic has partnered with other entities to build a supportive breastfeeding environment for women participating in WIC; and (4) Other criteria the Secretary considers appropriate after consultation with State and local program agencies. This notice serves as one means of consulting with State and local agencies and the general public. FNS would like comments on the criteria for the recognition, specifically: (1) What additional elements should FNS consider as a component of the selection criteria for this local agency recognition program? (2) What sources of data or information are available to support this recognition process? Dated: June 23, 2011. Audrey Rowe, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Forest Service National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition: Notice of Meeting Allegheny Resource Advisory Committee AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. ACTION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, section 1, et seq., 5 U.S.C. App., this notice announces a meeting of the National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition. SUMMARY: Date and Time: July 19–21, 2011; 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Place: The meeting will be held at the Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 204 A & B, Alexandria, VA 22302. DATES: The National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant, and Fetal Nutrition will meet to continue its study of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CFSP). The agenda will include updates and a discussion of WIC Reauthorization, Breastfeeding Promotion, the new WIC food packages, WIC funding, Electronic Benefits Transfer, CSFP Farm Bill provisions, and current research studies. Status: Meetings of the National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant and Fetal Nutrition are open to the public. Members of the public may participate, as time permits. Members of the public may file written statements with the contact person named below before or after the meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Whitford, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, (703) 305–2746. If members of the public need special accommodations, please notify Anita Cunningham by July 13, 2011, at (703) 305–0986, or e-mail at Anita.Cunningham@fns.usda.gov. Dated: June 21, 2011. Audrey Rowe, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2011–16287 Filed 6–28–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P BILLING CODE 3410–30–P 17:48 Jun 28, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Allegheny Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Marienville, Pennsylvania. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (Pub. L 110–343) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with the title II of the Act. The meeting is open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to review project proposals received and prepare for the final review and prioritization of projects to occur at the September meeting. DATES: The meeting will be held July 13, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Marienville Ranger District Office, 131 Smokey Lane, Marienville, Pennsylvania. Written comments may be submitted as described under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at 4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, Pennsylvania 16365. Please call ahead to Kathy Mohney at (814) 728–6298 to facilitate entry into the building to view comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Mohney, RAC Coordinator, Allegheny National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 4 Farm Colony Drive, Warren, Pennsylvania 16365, phone (814) 728– 6298, or e-mail kmohney@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Requests for reasonable accommodation for access to the facility or procedings may be made by contacting the person listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following business will be conducted: Review project proposals received and prepare for the final review and prioritization of projects to occur at the September meeting. SUMMARY: Notice of meeting. [FR Doc. 2011–16289 Filed 6–28–11; 8:45 am] VerDate Mar<15>2010 38109 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29JNN1.SGM 29JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38108-38109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16289]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Request for Public Comments for Special Supplemental Nutrition 
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Local Agency Recognition 
of Exemplary Breastfeeding Support Practices

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces a request for public comments on the 
approach for selecting and awarding local agencies for excellence in 
WIC breastfeeding services and support. Section 231 of the Healthy, 
Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, requires that the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) establish a program to recognize 
WIC local agencies and clinics that demonstrate exemplary breastfeeding 
promotion and support activities. USDA believes that public input on 
the development of the recognition program would be beneficial.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 29, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
    Mail: Address comments to: Debra R. Whitford, Director, 
Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    Respondents are strongly encouraged to submit comments through 
https://www.regulations.gov, as it will simplify the review of their 
input and help to ensure that it receives full consideration. All 
comments submitted in response to this notice will be included in the 
record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised that 
the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or 
entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure. 
All comments will be made available publicly on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Clark, Chief, Nutrition 
Services Branch, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and 
Nutrition Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 520, Alexandria, 
VA 22302. (703) 305-2746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Historically, the WIC Program has promoted breastfeeding as the 
optimal method of infant feeding, unless medically contraindicated. 
Breastfeeding promotion and support is a critical component of the 
services the WIC Program provides to pregnant and postpartum 
participants. As evidence has grown surrounding the importance of 
breastfeeding to the health of mothers and babies, WIC has further 
expanded initiatives to reinforce these activities as a priority for 
the WIC Program. WIC's recent efforts surrounding breastfeeding 
promotion and support include changing the WIC food packages to provide 
enhanced packages for fully breastfeeding mothers, expanding the WIC 
Peer Counselor Program, and establishing WIC Breastfeeding Performance 
Bonus awards to State agencies. This local agency recognition program 
will complement these and other Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 
initiatives currently underway that seek to promote and increase 
breastfeeding among WIC participants. It will also complement other 
Federal initiatives, such as the Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS)-led initiative, The Surgeon General's Call to Action to 
Support Breastfeeding, as well as the recent requirement in the Patient 
Protection and Healthcare Reform Act (Pub. L. 111-148), that became 
effective in 2010, that most employers provide a reasonable break time 
for breastfeeding mothers. All of these initiatives work towards the 
common goal to meet national objectives specified in the recently 
released DHHS Healthy People 2020, which includes an expansion of

[[Page 38109]]

the previously established 2010 breastfeeding objectives.
    While all WIC local agencies are required to implement policies and 
procedures to provide breastfeeding support and assistance throughout 
the prenatal and postpartum period, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act 
of 2010 (HHFKA) requires USDA to implement a program to recognize 
exemplary breastfeeding support practices at WIC local agencies and 
clinics. This program is expected to provide models and motivate other 
local agencies and clinics to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion 
and support activities. The HHFKA also authorizes the appropriation of 
funds for this local agency recognition program.
    USDA plans to begin recognizing exemplary agencies and clinics 
during fiscal year 2012. Awards may be monetary or non-monetary, based 
on the availability of funds. USDA will develop and implement this 
recognition program through careful consideration of information from 
existing recognition and incentive programs, key stakeholder input, and 
public comments to develop recognition award criteria and application 
procedures.

II. Key Issues on Which Public Comment is Requested

    In recognizing exemplary local agencies and clinics, the HHFKA 
requires that the Secretary consider:
    (1) Performance measurements of breastfeeding;
    (2) The effectiveness of a peer counselor program;
    (3) The extent to which the agency or clinic has partnered with 
other entities to build a supportive breastfeeding environment for 
women participating in WIC; and
    (4) Other criteria the Secretary considers appropriate after 
consultation with State and local program agencies.
    This notice serves as one means of consulting with State and local 
agencies and the general public. FNS would like comments on the 
criteria for the recognition, specifically:
    (1) What additional elements should FNS consider as a component of 
the selection criteria for this local agency recognition program?
    (2) What sources of data or information are available to support 
this recognition process?

    Dated: June 23, 2011.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-16289 Filed 6-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
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