With this new pod, all downtown Harris County Court facilities will now offer standalone lactation spaces for employees, jurors, litigants, and visitors.

“As a working mom, I’ve experienced the struggle of trying to find a private, clean, and safe space to pump or nurse,” said Commissioner Briones. “Through our partnership with Precinct4Forward and the Texas Bar Foundation, we’re not only increasing access to these vital spaces but also advancing gender equity in Harris County by supporting working mothers and their families.”

In May 2024, the first Mamava XL lactation pods were installed at the Harris County Civil Courthouse, Harris County Criminal Justice Center, and Jury Assembly. A grant from the Houston Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Houston Bar Association, covered the $99,000 cost.

A fourth pod was installed at Harris County’s Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library in September – funded by a grant from the Texas Bar Association.

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $28 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably-funded bar foundation.

Precinct4Forward, a nonprofit charitable organization created by Commissioner Briones in 2023, amplifies the impact of Harris County Precinct 4’s governmental work by collaborating with community partners, like the Texas Bar Foundation, to advance opportunity and justice for the 1.25 million residents of Precinct 4.

“As a mother and advocate for equity in public spaces, I am proud that we continue to tackle real challenges families face every day,” said Alice Lee, President of Precinct4Forward. “This new lactation pod at the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center represents a tangible step toward supporting nursing mothers and improving accessibility. Thanks to the Texas Bar Foundation grant, we’re creating meaningful change for our community.”

Earlier this year, Commissioner Briones led Harris County Commissioners Court in unanimously approving updates to Harris County policies and procedures, requiring county buildings to provide access to a designated private place for employees to pump. The new rules require the area to have a workspace, sink, and refrigeration to store breast milk. The policy exceeds federal standards and will qualify Harris County as a designated Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite.

“I am thrilled about the initiative to install a lactation pod in our building. This represents a significant step toward demonstrating care and support for our employees. With more mothers joining the workforce, it’s inspiring to see the County taking strides to better accommodate working mothers. Although my children are grown now, I wholeheartedly support this initiative and wish such benefits had been available during my childbearing years. We are deeply grateful for this thoughtful and generous effort,” said Sandra Cortes, Human Resources Manager for the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department

For more information about Precinct4Forward and its initiatives, please visit www.precinct4forward.org or email in[email protected].