BATAVIA, Ohio (Aug. 19, 2026) – Clermont County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) earned a 2026 USDA Breastfeeding Award of Excellence.

The award honors local WIC agencies that build strong promotion and support tools to help introduce families to breastfeeding. Clermont County is one of just 10 Ohio WIC agencies to receive recognition from the USDA.

In addition to supplemental nutrition, WIC provides breastfeeding education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Staff offer virtual breastfeeding classes, as well as help qualifying mothers obtain breast pumps.

“This Breastfeeding Gold Award indicates our program demonstrates excellence in breastfeeding practices and support. We are going beyond the core components of WIC’s breastfeeding model for peer counseling,” explained Katherine Schneider, Director of Clermont County WIC.

This award has special meaning because August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, Schneider added. To celebrate, Clermont County WIC held an event Aug. 8 to provide breastfeeding support resources and supplies to the community. Approximately 40 individuals attended. Partners including Child Focus, Help Me Grow, A Caring Place, and the Mercy Hospital Anderson Family Birthing Center joined the event, too.

The Clermont County WIC program is operated through Clermont County Public Health. For more information, please visit ClermontHealthOhio.gov/wic or call (513) 732-7329.

About Clermont County Public Health

Clermont County Public Health (CCPH) is a local government agency that provides public and environmental services, nursing services, and education to Clermont County residents. CCPH is dedicated to the mission of striving to improve Clermont County by preventing disease, promoting health, and protecting the environment. For more information, contact ClermontHealthOhio.gov or (513) 732-7499.