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Most peers continue to have the opportunity to telework and have proven to be critical supports to our breastfeeding families. Virtual platforms and calls can incorporate the DBE/IBCLC easily to co-counsel and yield when outside a peer’s scope. It provides valuable assessment of the dyad, their environment and allows for comprehensive cost-effective care. Many participants prefer and respond to text messages. Using the CT WIC Resources webpage, USDA BF Support website and other links allows for evidenced based resources to be customized to participants’ needs. Information can also be forwarded from the participant to a support network as appropriate to help ensure feeding goals are met.

The Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator joined the State Monitoring Team to conduct a peer counseling review of the Bristol Hospital WIC Program’s Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program. Connecticut’s State Breastfeeding Unit remains deeply engaged with the Regional Breastfeeding Curriculum Training Team. In fiscal year 2025, the team delivered Fall Level 1 and 2 training and Spring Levels 1 through 4. The Fall 2026 training begins in September and will include Levels 1-2.

Peer counselors and consulting IBCLCs attended the April 24, 2025, Virtual Seminar for Health Care Providers, hosted by La Leche League of Connecticut—fostering ongoing professional growth.

This year brought a renewed focus on peer counseling reporting. Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Biannual reports were received by the State Breastfeeding Unit in March 2025. Local agencies are required to include updates with the annual local agency plan (LAP) submission in September.

Both the WIC hybrid-hospital based, and WIC-clinic based peer counseling programs operate using USDA’s WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum. A regional training collaborative (CT, ME, NH, VI, VT, USVI) was formed in 2022 and launched regional trainings of the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum on a bi-annual basis in Spring/Fall.