THE DIAPER BANK OF CONNECTICUT INC
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : y**y@t***********k.o*g
Mission Statement
The Diaper Bank of Connecticut’s mission is threefold in scope: 1) To ensure that families living in poverty have an adequate supply of diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products; 2) To raise community awareness that “basic human needs” include diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products and that these needs are not being met for families living in poverty; 3) To advocate for policy reform so that diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products are included in the definition of, and provision for, the “basic human needs” of families.
About This Cause
Founded in 2004, The Diaper Bank of Connecticut (DBCT) provides free basic health needs including diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products to low-income individuals and families throughout Connecticut by servicing families through our flagship Diaper Distribution Network (DDN). DBCT distributes these basic needs through a strategic network of over 165 existing service providers serving low-income families where they are often already receiving other support services, such as: hospitals, local food pantries, soup kitchens, childcare centers, social service agencies, and shelters. DBCT had understood based on years of anecdotal evidence that not having an adequate supply of diapers was stressful for families. In 2013, Dr. Megan Smith authored an article published in Pediatrics, Diaper Need and Its Impact on Child Health which showed that diaper need was the strongest predictor of maternal depression. In 2018, the UConn Center for Economic Analysis undertook qualitative and quantitative research to determine the economic impact of DBCT. The findings showed a few key things: -Babies' overall health improves when families receive diapers. -Clean diapers help prevent medical expenses. -Without diapers, parents miss work. -Personal income increases 11 times for every dollar invested in diaper assistance. The facts: -1 in 2 families struggle to afford diapers to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. -Diaper insecurity is the number one predictor of maternal depression symptoms. -Extended periods in a soiled diaper can increase risk of UTIs, hepatitis, eczema, and diaper dermatitis. -Parents often are forced to choose between paying for food or buying diapers. -1 in 4 parents experiencing diaper need reported having to miss work or school because they didn’t have enough diapers to drop their child off at childcare. Most childcare centers and early education programs require a full day's worth of disposable diapers. -Medicaid; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) do not cover the cost of diapers. Our services promote economic opportunity for low-income individuals because having an adequate supply of diapers allows parents and caregivers to maintain employment, complete education programs, access and utilize childcare centers, reduce medical expenses due to unnecessary health issues related to diaper insecurity, and enables families to allocate funds to other necessities to help them on a path toward economic stability. DBCT serves as a model nationwide by transforming the accessibility and delivery system of basic health needs. In addition to our flagship diaper distribution program, we have 3 additional programs: Beam, Rise, and Shine. Through Beam, we distribute period supplies to menstruators in need. Through Shine, we provide incontinence products to youths between the ages of 3 and 20 who need them due to medical conditions. Through Rise, we distribute adult incontinence products to those individuals in need.