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Connecticut WIC Program Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Implementation Plan: 2025 Update for FY 2026 State Plan

State Program Overview and 2025 Updates:

The Connecticut WIC Program has a hybrid-peer counseling model with support from the USDA WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling funding. Currently, the New Haven WIC Program operates hospital-based WIC peer counseling program in its four permanent New Haven WIC clinic sites with a Physician’s Assistant Certified (PA-C) who is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) on staff. The Connecticut WIC Program’s peer counseling funding also supports the operation of seven clinic based local agency peer counseling programs with IBCLC’s on staff working as either Nutritionist/IBCLC or consulting IBCLC’s.

In FY 2025, the Connecticut WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program experienced staff turnover in several local agencies. A brief overview of local peer staffing and training follows.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the peer counselor at Day Kimball Hospital resigned for a career advancement opportunity in a home visiting program. A new peer joined the team in March 2025, coinciding serendipitously with Spring 2025 Regional Breastfeeding Curriculum training. She completed the required training and received onboarding support for CT-WIC from the State Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator following completion of Level 2.

Also in the first quarter of 2025, Optimus-Bridgeport celebrated a bittersweet departure as one of its peers graduated and transitioned into a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). Her new role will be enriched by her foundational work with the WIC peer counseling program, making her a powerful advocate for maternal-infant health in her future practice. Fortunately, a previously trained, African American peer rejoined the Optimus staff. Since her time working as a WIC peer counselor, she welcomed another baby and successfully managed exclusive breastfeeding through challenges, adding new depth to her lived experience. The State Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator supported her re-entry with a review of Level 1 and 2 dashboards and CT-WIC re-training. She began building her