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Health department to place grant-funded lactation pods in rec centers and hospital campuses
Summary
The city health department won a MDHHS grant to buy lactation pods for community organizations, recreation centers and at least one hospital campus; pods will use a smart-lock QR system for access and the department will track usage to guide future placements.
The Detroit Health Department told the Health and Safety Standing Committee on Feb. 2 that it will use a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Community Zones grant to buy lactation pods for public placement.
Leah Smith, director of administrative operations for the health department, said the $149,000, two-year contract with SpaceWorks will purchase pods equipped with smart locks accessed by QR code, interior seating and climate control intended to give nursing and pumping parents a private, safe space outside the home.
"These lactation pods will have a smart lock where the mother can scan the QR code to open up the pod," Smith said. The health department plans placements with community-based organizations, recreation centers and at least one hospital campus (the department named Henry Ford as a confirmed partner and discussed the Detroit Medical Center and Sinai-Grace as possible sites).
Smith said the department will execute memoranda of understanding with host organizations, who will take responsibility for maintenance, and will track usage to help determine whether additional pods are needed in particular neighborhoods.
Committee members asked about access for parents who do not have smartphones. Smith said the department is working on alternative access methods that would preserve the ability to track usage and the pods’ availability.
Vice Chair Denzel McCampbell encouraged the department to consider devices (for example, tablets) that could be attached at sites to facilitate access for those without smartphones and to gather usage data.
The committee approved the contract and forwarded it to the formal agenda with a recommendation to approve. Smith said the grant is likely one-time funding and the department would need to identify local funding to sustain or expand the program after the grant period.
What’s next: The department will execute MOUs with community partners for placement and report back on access plans for residents without smartphones.
