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caseload immediately and attended Fall Level 1 and 2 WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum training to reinforce key skills.

New Haven’s breastfeeding peer counseling program continues to thrive. Two peer counselors have recently passed the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) exam, becoming IBCLCs—a tremendous accomplishment. One has also attained her RN license, and the other is expected to complete nursing school by the end of the year. A third peer counselor is currently enrolled in nursing school, reflecting a strong pipeline of peer leaders transitioning into professional clinical roles from this agency. The IBCLC is working on identifying potential peer counseling candidates from the participant pool to recruit when the current peers move onto their next positions.

The TVCCA peer counselor has taken on a dual role, now working part-time as a Nutrition Assistant (NA). The combined peer and NA responsibilities allow for better integration of breastfeeding support into participant interactions, from calls to application processing. The expanded role is an appropriate use of available funding streams and helps ensure breastfeeding support is woven throughout participant services.

Since the Bristol Hospital WIC program merged with the Meriden WIC Program, staffing has shifted. The part-time Bristol IBCLC provides oversight across both sites. Both peer counselors collaborate effectively with their Designated Breastfeeding Experts (DBE) and if necessary, yield to the IBCLC. Joint meetings and aligned communication have resulted in a smooth integration of the two peer counseling programs into one.

Hartford’s peer counselor, hired in the fourth quarter fiscal year 2024, continues to thrive. She completed a refresher of the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum, in Spring 2025. This boost strengthened her knowledge and confidence in participant counseling. The senior peer counselor provided mentoring and support, including co-counseling and modeling effective use of CT-WIC. Weekly coordination between the State Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator, local program coordinator, breastfeeding coordinator, and consulting IBCLC ensures consistent breastfeeding support across staff.

East Hartford continues to have a stable program, with no staffing changes. The program has two, part-time peer counselors (one Spanish-bi-cultural/bilingual peer, one African American), an IBCLC, and a Breastfeeding Coordinator with CLC.

The State BFPC Coordinator assists in training as in-kind services the USDA Breastfeeding Curriculum during biannual regional trainings or on an individual, mini training schedule as necessary based on hiring dates.

The State WIC BFPC Coordinator continued to facilitate monthly virtual peer counseling conference calls using the Teams platform.