RESPONSE post 87 - Asked to not nurse at a State Benefits Office! - Page 3

[sapphire_chan]

The Ombudsman thing does not appear to be relevant.

Good luck!!!

[napua]

I can't believe that that happened to you but kudos to you for knowing your rights! When will people wake up?!!

[fireflies~for~me]

Lindsay, that is an AWESOME link!!!

[Kaitnbugsmom]

subbing. sounds way too much like our local DCFS office.

[aisraeltax]

Originally Posted by fireflies~for~me

I'm drafting my letter that will go via email (thanks to a Mothering mama who got me direct emails to the CSO administrator as well as the Regional Supervisor-WOOHOO)

Couple of thoughts?

1)Should my husband and I both sign the letter?
2) Can I use links within the body of my email letter to cite specific research (as in will they read the links)?
I'll pm you with a copy for your Fed govt worker insights
Also...
3) Re: Ombudsman, do you think this link applies to this case? http://www.governor.wa.gov/ofco/complaints.htm

Thanks!

]
i would cite research, not links. they wont look anything up.

this is great you are proceeding w/ this!

[fireflies~for~me]

aisrealtax, thanks for that input!!

AllisonK, pming you...

[aisraeltax]

its great you are doing this! just want to say this again!!!!!

[fireflies~for~me]

yeah!
Does anyone have any thoughts for me about the effectiveness of email vs. hard copy complaint letter? Pros and cons? I have both for the people who are going to get this letter and not sure of best approach. I like how fast email is...maybe shoudl email with a cc hardcopied.

[intorainbowz]

Originally Posted by fireflies~for~me

yeah!
Does anyone have any thoughts for me about the effectiveness of email vs. hard copy complaint letter? Pros and cons? I have both for the people who are going to get this letter and not sure of best approach. I like how fast email is...maybe shoudl email with a cc hardcopied.

There are pros and cons to both. Emails can be CC:d to God, and usually the person on the higher level forwards the email to the lower person with a Did you see this and can you explain to me on the email.

On the other had, there is something very powerful about a real letter. I would CC that letter as well to everyone on up, and put that information on the letter.

I vote email with real letter following. Something a bit more "real" about a letter than an email, but that is just me. Speed of the email is a plus. You could put links in an email... real easy for them to click on, but this is just me, I doubt I'd type a link into the web from a letter.

[hunnybumm]

I would send both. Email is super fast, but the all might letter is much more powerful IMHO. It's a lot easier and takes less effort to send an email compared to a letter. I think it is a little more professional and sends a "I am not messing around" message.

Keep us updated on what happens!

[corwinegall]

I agree with sending both. A hardcopy letter is taken more seriously, but an email can include links

Lisa

[fireflies~for~me]

Any last-minute edits before I hit send???????????

Dear Mr. So and So,

After 7 years as a Software Developer, my husband is entering graduate school full time to pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Realizing that we will be on a limited income during his two-year program, I applied for our family to receive Food and Medical Benefits through the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.

We (myself, my husband and our two young children) arrived on Friday February 2nd, 2007 for our scheduled appointment at the Spokane Valley Community Services Center. During our appointment, I began to quietly nurse my little one. The intake caseworker, Ms. Such and Such, immediately asked me if I was going to “do that the whole time?” A bit taken back, I asked if she meant breastfeeding? She rudely and crassly declared her disgust with what I was doing. I told her that I had the legal right to breastfeed in public and that I wished to speak to her supervisor. Her supervisor, Mr. This and That then came to the cubicle and informed me that Ms. Such and Such was “uncomfortable” with me nursing my child. I asked if there was another case worker who would be comfortable with it. He indicated that he was not comfortable with it either. Mr. This and That then asked me if I could use a blanket. I politely refused stating that I was being adequately modest (even if my breast was accidentally exposed, the law in Washington, RCW 9A.88.010 2001 Wa. ALS 88; 2001 Wa. Ch. 88; 2001 Wa. HB 1590, exempts me from indecent exposure) He persisted, then asking me if I could please just switch seats with my husband so that I would be behind a partition blocking Ms. Such and Such’s view. What if I was an African-American individual and a caseworker made it known to me that she was “uncomfortable” with the color of my skin? What if her supervisor then asked me to sit behind a partition for the remainder of my appointment, so that the case worker would not have to see me? Obviously, this situation would be utterly intolerable! While remaining completely calm, we complied with his request, fully intending on filing this formal complaint.

Mr. So and So, I am a veteran breastfeeding mother who is confident in and knowledgeable of the well-researched nutritional and emotional benefits that both mother and child receive during the breastfeeding relationship. Imagine however, if a young mom in-need with a newborn baby came into that office to apply for benefits. If she was treated this way, she may likely feel shame and humiliation that could effect her decision to nurse at all and compromise the health of her baby (human milk is nutritionally superior to artificial milk) as well as herself (breastfeeding serves as a protective mechanism for four types of gynecological cancers as well as other chronic illnesses). In addition, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)

It is absolutely unacceptable that state government employees in an office to serve the people can break the law and violate a mother’s and a child’s civil rights in this manner. I am confident however, in your desire to provide education to your entire staff of the Spokane Valley Community Services Office, about the rights of breastfeeding mothers and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

ME

papercopy cc: Regional Administrator
CSO Administrator
Team Supervisor
Intake Caseworker

[MammaKoz]

GREAT letter!!! I love it, don't change a thing! I can't wait to hear the response. :

You go girl!

[AngelBee]

Sounds good to me

[broodymama]

Excellent letter!

Subbing so I don't miss an update.

[intorainbowz]

Looks good!

[homewithtwinsmama]

I have a suggestion

What if I was an African-American individual and a caseworker made it known to me that she was “uncomfortable” with the color of my skin? What if her supervisor then asked me to sit behind a partition for the remainder of my appointment, so that the case worker would not have to see me? Obviously, this situation would be utterly intolerable!


I think this part above is the weakest part of the letter and I would cut it out. The part about new mamas is much more powerful and I would let that and the illegality speak for itself!

Lorrie

[intorainbowz]

I respectfully disagree. I think it takes an analogy where it is so clear that the behavior is not acceptable to make the point about how unacceptable it is to ask a nursing mama not to nurse.

The race card is HUGE in the governmental social services. Concern over a new mama stopping nursing... not so much. Wic is always there. This is not my attitude, but the attitude of others I work with.

[fireflies~for~me]

alrighty then...sending right now
Thanks to all...I'll keep you updated

[J's Mombee]

Originally Posted by intorainbowz

I respectfully disagree. I think it takes an analogy where it is so clear that the behavior is not acceptable to make the point about how unacceptable it is to ask a nursing mama not to nurse.

The race card is HUGE in the governmental social services. Concern over a new mama stopping nursing... not so much. Wic is always there. This is not my attitude, but the attitude of others I work with.

I don't see how that relates... While I feel like bfing is natural and heck no, folks should not be forced to feed their nurslings behind partitions... it shouldnt be compared to skin color... The fact is still true that skin color is not a choice, bfing is (one heck of a good choice, that should be a way of life tho)... Just think its not fair to make an analogy relating to race or skin color... Not that bfing is less important, just different and I think that if it were bought up in a government office, we would lose the fight about our right nip using bad examples to compare to. We would lose the audience... KWIM?

-L

PS: You Rock for writing that letter tho! I love the fighting spirit that so many mamas have.