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GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A description of the Connecticut WIC Program’s model, which incorporates the FNS Model for a Successful Peer Counseling Program, follows.

1. Appropriate Definition of Peer Counselor The Connecticut WIC Program’s definition of a breastfeeding peer counselor is as follows: • Paraprofessional (i.e., no academic training in breastfeeding) • Recruited and hired from target population (ideally, a current or past WIC participant) • Available to WIC families outside usual clinic hours and outside the WIC clinic environment • Breastfeeding experience (ideally, a minimum of 6 months)

2. Designated breastfeeding peer counseling program managers/coordinators at State and/or local level State Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator, Lori Goeschel, responsible for contract management and administrative oversight of the 8 peer programs in the state. As outlined above Lori has spent time since FY 2016 on site targeted peer training, technical assistance and CT-WIC use and troubleshooting. She has also worked extensively with the New Haven WIC Program on implementing the city-wide peer services within 4 permanent sites. (Yale New Haven Hospital, Sargent Drive and West Haven, the Cornel Scott Hill Health Center (CSHHC) and the Fair Haven Community Health Center (FHCHC)). She is responsible for ensuring that the USDA WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling funds are used to expand WIC breastfeeding support services through peer counseling.

The State Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator maintains contact with subcontractors that hold BFPC programs regarding the status of the program and biannual reports are required to document progress (beginning FY 2025). Due to the design of CT-WIC, reports currently include more qualitative data to reflect program progress.

3. Defined job parameters and job descriptions for peer counselors • The breastfeeding peer counselors are individuals from the community reflective of the WIC participant population, who have experience in successfully breast/chest feeding a child for a minimum of six months. They are committed to encouraging women to initiate and continue breastfeeding, and supporting those who decide to do so, so that they may have the best chance of success and a positive experience. They are responsible for positive role modeling, providing information,