Diaper Connections

One out of every two families have difficulty affording a sufficient supply of diapers for their children.

Diaper need affects a family’s ability to go to work and school and threatens the health of a family by increasing the likelihood of mater­nal depression, parental stress, and diaper rash in infants and children.

In response to this need, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) partnered with the Diaper Bank of Connecticut (DBCT) to address diaper insecurity through a new statewide program called Diaper Connections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Launched in November, 2022, the program implements screening for diaper need at hospitals and leverages existing local community assets and partnerships to organize distribution channels, and distribute diapers in hospital settings such as labor and delivery units, maternity and pediatric clinics, emergency departments, and primary care sites.

Click below to read the 2023 Status Report to learn more about Diaper Connections.  Click here to read the press release announcing the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Screening for Diaper Need

Hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations can screen for diaper need with two questions:

For postpartum individuals and other caregivers of children 3 and under:

  • If you have a child in diapers, do you ever feel that you do not have enough diapers to change your child as often as you would like?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Not applicable (I do not have a child in diapers)

For pregnant individuals:

  • Are you worried that when you have your baby you may have trouble paying for enough diapers to change your baby as often as you would like?
  • Yes
  • No
  • I don’t know

Hospitals can track diaper need and distribution of diapers by embedding the diaper screening questions in the electronic health record, using a closed-loop technology platform that screens for other social risk and needs, or through other electronic databases and systems that may already be in use. Additionally, hospitals can assess diaper need through their Community Health Needs Assessments, as well as plan distribution programming through their Community Health Improvement Plans.

Who is eligible to receive diapers provided by the partnership?

The funding, which is available through the Community Development Block Grant and administered through the Connecticut Department of Housing, uses 80% or less of area median income as a guideline for eligibility. For each family receiving diapers, the Diaper Bank of Connecticut, per the Department of Housing requirement, will collect one self-reported application with information on the family’s basic household demographics.

Individuals determined to be in economic need and/or those receiving or qualifying for the following services will be automatically eligible for this initiative:

Medicaid/Husky

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Temporary Family Assistance Program (TFA)
  • Women, Infants and Children Supplemental
  • Nutrition Program (WIC)
  • Housing support
  • Child care assistance

Learn More

For more information on this initiative: Download a copy of our information sheet or contact Dr. Selina Osei at Osei@chime.org or (475) 261-2237.

If you are in immediate need of diapers, contact the Diaper Bank of Connecticut’s Diaper Distribution Network. Click here to find the closest distribution resources to you.