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NUTRITION SERVICES Goals & Objectives, FY2027 | 15

I. Communicate and collaborate with health care providers, medical and public health communities, and other partners in promoting WIC as a breastfeeding program.

J. Align Massachusetts WIC nutrition education materials and counseling guidance with the Baby- Friendly Hospital Initiative standards for prenatal breastfeeding education and immediate postpartum breastfeeding support.

K. Provide technical assistance and consultation on breastfeeding promotion and support to BFHN, other programs within DPH, and other state and local agencies as requested.

L. Continue to facilitate the DPH Internal Breastfeeding Workgroup and collaborate to implement the strategic plan to ensure that the cross-cutting work of divisions are represented in statewide breastfeeding initiatives.

M. Participate in the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition, the Massachusetts Baby-Friendly Hospital Collaborative and the Vital Village Network to implement statewide strategies to promote and support breastfeeding.

N. Continue to work with the Nutrition Division’s Marketing Unit and internal and external partners to disseminate and promote prenatal breastfeeding education videos in multiple languages that can be used by hospitals, WIC and OB providers to ensure consistent messaging for families.

O. Support maintenance of breastfeeding credentials and knowledge of current lactation management practices through a variety of breastfeeding continuing education opportunities and reimbursement support for credential renewal.

P. Manage systems for maintaining electric breast pump loan programs at local WIC programs including hospital grade breast pumps to WIC mothers of very low birthweight infants who cannot access them through health insurance.

Q. Manage the implementation of the WIC and Regional IBCLC program which provides mentorship to WIC Peer Counselors and provides direct breastfeeding counseling and support to WIC participants who are in need of advanced care due to breastfeeding complications. Expand program by hiring additional Regional IBCLCs, pending available funding.

III. To monitor the provision of quality nutrition services through implementation of quality assurance systems.

A. Collaborate and coordinate with Operations and Policy, Marketing & Training Units to:

1. Evaluate local programs to assess compliance with Massachusetts WIC Program Service Standards. Monitor statewide findings from evaluations.

2. Conduct a Local Program Evaluation (LPE) Survey to obtain feedback from staff to improve the LPE process if indicated.

3. Review and revise service standards and the LPE process, procedures, and forms as needed.