The Diaper Bank of Connecticut

Connecticut can take the lead on diaper access—just like four other states already have. It’s time to set the standard for families nationwide. Share if you agree! #DiaperAccess #CTLeadership

Big win for CT families! HB 6937 passed out of committee, bringing us one step closer to ensuring Medicaid covers medically necessary children’s diapers throughout our state. Big thanks to State Representative Jillian Gilchrest and the bipartisan group of legislators championing this bill - the legislature is hard at work to address the affordability crisis facing CT families.

ICYMI: Last week, we held a press conference at the capitol with? State Representatives Jilchrest?Gilchrest, to call for the CT legislature to address diaper affordability and access now. This crisis is not going away, and the broad coalition we brought together gives us hope that this is the year we will see real change.?#addressaffordabilitynow Thank you?State Representative Aundré Bumgardner,?Connecticut Hospital Association,?HRA Of New Britain?for supporting this work! Check out the news coverage! ?The Hartford Courant - https://lnkd.in/gkN3-n9s WTNH-TV - https://lnkd.in/gQ7k_n5B FOX61/CW20 - https://lnkd.in/gnkHPRef News 12 - https://lnkd.in/gF8wjEZY CTNewsJunkie - https://lnkd.in/gM9VCdhJ Connecticut Mirror - https://lnkd.in/gXYzwpPZ

??♀? Raise your hand if you think all babies deserve to be healthy! ?? Here’s the truth: Diapers are essential for a baby’s health and well-being, but far too many (1 in 2!!) families face the daily struggle of affording them. Connecticut has an incredible opportunity to be a national leader by including diapers under Medicaid coverage. Let’s take action to ensure every baby has the healthy start they deserve! S/o to Janet Stolfi Alfano, MSW, CFRE for this important op-ed.

"The need is clear: one in two Connecticut families struggles to afford diapers, which cost about 22% more than they did in 2018...This is a solvable problem that will require Connecticut to invest in its most critical asset: its children." Read the full op-ed by at CEO, Janet Stolfi Alfano, MSW, CFRE in the The Hartford Courant.

Check out Janet Stolfi Alfano, MSW, CFRE , our CEO, and Maurice "Mo" Edwards, former Diaper Bank of CT beneficiary and New Haven Firefighter, on WTNH this morning discussing the effort to allow Medicaid to cover diapers. Share this post if you agree that the time for the CT legislature to take action is NOW.

The excitement around today's press conference calling for diapers to be covered by Medicaid was incredible. Thank you to everyone who attended and showed support. This is just the start! Thanks State Representative Jillian Gilchrest & State Representative Aundré Bumgardner for your support!

Our SUN shines bright on the families we serve ? While the core of our mission remains focused on buying and distributing diapers for infants and toddlers, we recognize that individuals require access to basic necessities throughout their lives. The Beam, Shine, and Rise programs are dedicated to these pillars: distribution, accessibility, and advocacy. ?BEAM ensures access to the period products needed to fully participate in daily life, raise awareness, and advocate for change. ?SHINE and RISE distribute youth and adult incontinence products and are committed to making an impact, enhancing accessibility, and expanding incontinence supply initiatives. Learn more by visiting our website ( ?? in bio)

We are incredibly proud to share that, since July 2024, we have distributed over 1 million period supplies to more than 300 public schools across Connecticut through our Menstrual Equity Project. This initiative, led by The Diaper Bank in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, ensures free and accessible period supplies are available to public schools with the greatest need, supporting the requirements of the Menstrual Equity Law. This is just the beginning! We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting students across our state and fostering menstrual equity in our communities. A heartfelt thank you to all the schools we’ve worked with so far, the inspiring students who motivate us to keep going, CT DPH for supporting this work, and our incredible community supporters who make this possible.??

Our New Year's Resolution? ?? As we step into the new year, our commitment remains strong: to continue meeting the growing health needs in our state. No one should ever have to go without or worry about affording basic health essentials. We are grateful for the continued support from our community, partners, and everyone who shares in this mission. Together, we are making a difference and paving the way for a healthier, more equitable future. Thank you for helping us achieve this goal! Here's to another year of making an impact. ??