Joining efforts, the Connecticut Hospital Association, Connecticut’s hospitals and the Diaper Bank of Connecticut have found a new way to reach more families and enhance the health status of infants and toddlers and their parents by addressing the very significant problem of diaper need.
Overview
More than 30% of families in Connecticut 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.
In response to this need, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) is partnering with the Diaper Bank of Connecticut to address diaper insecurity and diaper need through a new statewide program called Diaper Connections. The partners will work together to develop and implement diaper distribution models that leverage existing local community assets and partnerships. Models can include partnering with community organizations to organize distribution channels, and distributing diapers in hospital settings such as labor and delivery units, maternity and pediatric clinics, emergency departments and primary care sites.
Screening for Diaper Need
Hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations can screen for diaper need with two questions:
For postpartum individuals and other caregivers of children 3 and under:
- If you have a child in diapers, do you ever feel that you do not have enough diapers to change your child as often as you would like?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable (I do not have a child in diapers)
For pregnant individuals:
- Are you worried that when you have your baby you may have trouble paying for enough diapers to change your baby as often as you would like?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know
Hospitals can track diaper need and distribution of diapers by embedding the diaper screening questions in the electronic health record, using a closed-loop technology platform that screens for other social risk and needs, or through other electronic databases and systems that may already be in use. Additionally, hospitals can assess diaper need through their Community Health Needs Assessments, as well as plan distribution programming through their Community Health Improvement Plans.
Who is eligible to receive diapers provided by the partnership?
The funding, which is available through the Community Development Block Grant and administered through the Connecticut Department of Housing, uses 80% or less of area median income as a guideline for eligibility. For each family receiving diapers, the Diaper Bank of Connecticut, per the Department of Housing requirement, will collect one self-reported application with information on the family’s basic household demographics.
Individuals determined to be in economic need and/or those receiving or qualifying for the following services will be automatically eligible for this initiative:
- Medicaid/Husky
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Temporary Family Assistance Program (TFA)
- Women, Infants and Children Supplemental
- Nutrition Program (WIC)
- Housing support
- Child care assistance
Learn More
For more information on this initiative:
- Download a copy of our information sheet;
- Or contact Dr. Selina Osei at Osei@chime.org or (475) 261-2237.
“DBCT is proud to partner with the Connecticut Hospital Association, Connecticut Hospitals, and the Department of Housing to ensure that more local residents and families can get diapers who need them. Recognizing the significant health impact that lack of access to diapers has on babies and their families, this is an important step to ensuring that all Connecticut residents have their basic health needs met.
~ Janet Stolfi Alfano, Executive Director of DBCT.
Diaper Connections In the News
November 16, 2022
State Announces Partnership to Reduce Diaper Insecurity
By Ellie Stamp
(WTNH) — The state announced a new partnership between local hospitals and the Diaper Bank of Connecticut to address the growing need for diapers for Connecticut families Tuesday.
Read more here!
November 16, 2022
Free Diapers Can Really Help Moms, Dads, and Children In Need
By Lauren Woods
The Connecticut Hospital Association and the Diaper Bank of Connecticut are taking statewide the successful Diaper Connections pilot program of UConn Health’s Women’s Center and Family Medicine Clinics.
Read more here!
November 16, 2022
Hartford HealthCare Joins Statewide Diaper Bank Effort
By William W. Backus Hospital / Patch Norwich, CT Edition
Diaper needs affect 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.
Read more here!
November 16, 2022
Effort Launched to Increase Diaper Distribution
By WTIC Newstalk Radio
Hartford, Conn. (WTIC Radio)-More than one-third of families struggling to afford diapers will be assisted through Diaper Connections, a program launched in association with the Diaper Bank of Connecticut, Connecticut Hospital Association and the Department of Housing.
Read more here!