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documentation of preparing for hospital, family/friend support, skin- to-skin contact, rooming-in and community support.

A baseline will be established using results reported in FY25 LAPs.

The State agency will facilitate collaboration among Breastfeeding Coordinators in the last quarter of FY23, and first quarter of FY24, to develop training, implementation, and evaluation process for the FY24 strategy.

Breastfeeding Unit (State Breastfeeding Coordinator and State agency WIC Peer Counselor Coordinator (IBCLC)) continue to participate in Regional WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum training (CT, NH, ME, VI and VT) to train local agency staff and select community partners using the USDA/FNS DBE Curriculum.

If awarded, contribute to SPAN 0012 breastfeeding activities related to initiation: Ten Step Collaborative, Ready, Set Baby webpage. Diversity in Lactation, and update of It’s Worth it Campaign.

The Regional WIC Breastfeeding Training Curriculum continued for FY 2024. Most of the staff trained were from Connecticut WIC and staff from several community partners such the Community Health Network of CT (CHN-CT) and home visiting programs. Unfortunately, while CT- DPH’s SPAN 0012 application was approved, funding wasn’t available. Where possible, these breastfeeding strategies will continue with other identified funding sources. 2.6 At least 60% of infants enrolled in the WIC Program are breastfed for 6 months or more.

Through State MER observations and chart audits 50% of local agency staff will incorporate and document concepts from 7 duration focused breastfeeding content sheets, HUSKY breast pump access, and overview of CT breastfeeding 2024 WIC Objective: ≥ 60%

FFY 2019 Target: ≥ 50% Average: 65.2% Range: 37.5% - 90.7%

FFY 2020 Target: ≥ 50% Average: 64.4% Range: 42.6% - 88.9% CT-WIC Quarterly & Annual Outcome, Summary & Trend Reports. Chart audits and Observations.

During FY 2023-2024 the State agency has been conducting quality assurance (QA) on all data reports. The breastfeeding duration reports, and target will need significant changes based on the QA.