Press Releases
07/22/2024
Department of Public Health and the Diaper Bank of Connecticut working together to support menstrual equity in schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2024CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Director of Communications
(860) 706-9654 – christopher.boyle@ct.gov
HARTFORD, Conn—The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has awarded the Diaper Bank of Connecticut (DBCT), the Connecticut Chapter of the Alliance for Period Supplies, a menstrual equity grant, providing $1.95 million over the next two years to supply eligible public schools with period products.
In 2022, the Connecticut General Assembly passed the Menstrual Equity Law, requiring all public schools serving third through 12th graders to offer free and accessible period products in student restrooms. This includes all women’s restrooms, all non-gender-specific restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom. The two-year APRA funding allocation will enable DBCT to bulk order period supplies and distribute them directly to schools with the highest need, as guided by DPH.
“Prior to the Pandemic, four in five students reported either missing class time or having peers who missed class time because they lacked access to the period supplies they needed (State of the Period Study 2019 by PERIOD & Thinx). No one should feel as though they are falling behind in school because they don’t have the supplies they need to manage their period,” said Jenny Kohl, project manager, The Diaper Bank of Connecticut.
“This work will promote period equity and dignity for all menstruating students, so that they can fully participate in school life without shame or stigma,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “These funds will allow our partners to ensure that students with the greatest need can easily access menstrual products regardless of gender, ability, language, or socioeconomic status.”
“We are proud to be working with the DPH to ensure that students throughout the state have ready access to the menstrual products they need, where and when they need them. We are eager to share what we learn over the course of the next two years, with the help of our colleagues at Quinnipiac University, about how this need impacts CT students.” said Janet Stolfi Alfano, CEO of the Diaper Bank of Connecticut and the Connecticut Chapter of the Alliance for Period Supplies.
“We believe period supplies are school supplies,” said Lacey Gero, director of government relations at the Alliance for Period Supplies. “With its 20-year history of distributing basic necessities to where they are needed most, the Diaper Bank of Connecticut is the ideal choice to implement this grant. The grant illustrates how a coalition of determined students, community advocates, nonprofits, and elected officials can work together to change public policy and positively impact the lives of students throughout Connecticut."
"Connecticut students successfully advocated for this new law to advance menstrual equity, " said State Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford) who introduced and championed the legislation. "Increased access to menstrual products not only improves our students' health and academic success but provides a basic sense of dignity. Thank you to the Department of Public Health and the Diaper Bank of Connecticut for their work to implement this law and distribute products to schools most in need."
CONTACTS:
Janet Stolfi Alfano, The Diaper Bank of Connecticut | janet@thediaperbank.org
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