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About Us
WHO WE ARE
The Coalition is a non profit 501c3 corporation, comprised of health care providers, community leaders, policy makers, and parents, as well as public and private organizations with the common goal of promoting and supporting breastfeeding as the culture norm in Ventura County.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
Our mission is to promote breastfeeding in the community by providing resources and education to families, health care professionals, employers, and policy makers.
Our vision is to see EVERY FAMILY IS SUPPORTED TO BREASTFEED
WHAT WE DO
Through Outreach, Education and Advocacy we seek to improve breastfeeding rates in our community, contributing to a healthier Ventura County.
Outreach: Resource Guide & Website, advertising rack cards, Thank you for Nursing your baby cards and Nursing Nook provided at Community Events
Education: Annual Education Conference
Advocacy: Annual World Breastfeeding Week Proclamation at the Ventura County Board of Supervisors
Nahal Papehn, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBS
Sheila Dedrick, MSN Ed, RN, IBCLC, ICEA
Sheila Dedrick, MSN Ed, RN, IBCLC, ICEA
Board Chair:
Nahal is a licensed speech-language pathologist, certified breastfeeding specialist and founder at Coo, Babble, and Talk pediatric services. She devotes her time serving families of infants and toddlers up through age five within Ventura County. Integrating lactation and postpartum support into her practice, believes that that the foundations of communication starts with skin to skin and early feeding and bonding interactions. She was drawn to BCVC because every family should feel supported to breastfeed and have access to a wide variety of local and diverse resources that make those early days, weeks, and months just a little bit easier. Nahal’s favorite part of mothering was breastfeeding her two boys. Together with her husband they are raising two energetic boys who play sports and love to travel.
Sheila Dedrick, MSN Ed, RN, IBCLC, ICEA
Sheila Dedrick, MSN Ed, RN, IBCLC, ICEA
Sheila Dedrick, MSN Ed, RN, IBCLC, ICEA
BOARD SECRETARY :
“Over 40 years experience in Maternal Child Health. She enjoys working with new families in Ventura County. She is also the founder and manager of the CMH New Parent Resource Center in Ventura." .
Andrea Rodriguez, CPA
Sheila Dedrick, MSN Ed, RN, IBCLC, ICEA
Heather Camarena, BSN, RN, PHN, IBCLC
BOARD TREASURER:
CPA and partner at Vance, Thrift and Biller, LLP . Mother of two breastfed boys (tandem at one point) now 11 and 9. Passionate about women's reproductive rights and supporting families to breastfeed. Love spending my time outside of work outdoors: beach, hiking, biking, camping.
Andrea was instrumental in helping the BCVC obtain and maintain their 501c3 NonProfit Status.
Heather Camarena, BSN, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Claudia Benton, , PhDc, MSN, RN-BC, PHN, CLC
Heather Camarena, BSN, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Outreach Director/Imm. past Board Chair:
Heather currently serves as the Outreach Director for BCVC and has served as a Board Member and/or Board Chair over the past 10 years. Professionally, she has worked with new mothers and babies for over 20 years in both hospital and outpatient settings. She is passionate about helping new families navigate the early postpartum period and achieve their breastfeeding or breast pumping goals. She currently works for the Ventura County WIC program as the Breastfeeding Coordinator and Regional Breastfeeding Liaison. Heather lives with her three children and husband, John. In her free time, Heather thinks about what resources she can add to the Breastfeeding Coalition Website and drinks coffee
Claudia Benton, , PhDc, MSN, RN-BC, PHN, CLC
Claudia Benton, , PhDc, MSN, RN-BC, PHN, CLC
Claudia Benton, , PhDc, MSN, RN-BC, PHN, CLC
EDUCATION Co-CHAIR:
Over 40 years experience working in Maternal Child Infant Health in Public Health.
Mimi Leza, BSN, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Claudia Benton, , PhDc, MSN, RN-BC, PHN, CLC
Claudia Benton, , PhDc, MSN, RN-BC, PHN, CLC
EDUCATION Co-CHAIR:
Over 40 years experience in Maternal Child Health.
Emily Kroening, MD
Alice Pope, MSN, IBCLC
Alice Pope, MSN, IBCLC
Physician Liaison: Local Family Practice Physician at Las Posas Clinic and passionate about helping new mothers.
Alice Pope, MSN, IBCLC
Alice Pope, MSN, IBCLC
Alice Pope, MSN, IBCLC
Member at Large:
IBCLC at the CMH New Parent Resource Center IBCLC
Sharlena Pina
Alice Pope, MSN, IBCLC
Sharlena Pina
Member at Large/ East County Rep: CPHW at Sierra Vista Clinic
Jennie Torti, MPH
Jennie Torti, MPH
Jennie Torti, MPH
Member at Large:
Jennie's background is in perinatal public health, leading initiatives focused on maternal mental health, breastfeeding, and health equity. Inspired by her experience as a mother of three, Jennie is passionate about strengthening support for birthing people and their families by integrating public health into healthcare practices. Along with being a BCVC Board Member, Jennie serves as the System Director for the CommonSpirit Health Women and Infants Clinical Institute, and is Vice President of the Ventura Coast Milk Bank.
Margaret Leroy
Jennie Torti, MPH
Jennie Torti, MPH
Member at Large:
"I have worked as a Registered Dietitian in Ventura County for the past 15 years and I am a certified lactation counselor. I currently work in public health with several programs geared toward providing services to children in our county. I am also the mother of two boys and have loved my breastfeeding experience. I am excited to use my nutrition expertise as well as passion for breastfeeding to support the breastfeeding goals of all women in Ventura County."
Patricia Nanda
Jennie Torti, MPH
Allison Lieberman
Member at Large:
Pediatric Dentist at Sugar Bug Dental
Allison Lieberman
Allison Lieberman
Allison Lieberman
Board Member at Large:
Cristal Quezada
Allison Lieberman
Chantel Rodriguez
Student Associate Board Member: Assists in Outreach/Social Media. Current CSUCI Nursing Student.
Chantel Rodriguez
Allison Lieberman
Chantel Rodriguez
Student Associate Board Member: Assists in Outreach/Social Media. Current CSUCI Nursing Student
In Memory of Amy
In Memory of Amy
In Memory of Amy
Are you interested in serving as Board Member for the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County? Send us an email at contact@breastfeedventura.org