Loving Support™ Model for a Successful Peer Counseling Program

Adequate Program Support from State and Local Management
     Appropriate Definition of Peer Counselor
         Paraprofessional
         Recruited and hired from target population
         Available to WIC clients outside usual clinic hours and outside the
               WIC clinic environment
       Designated breastfeeding peer counseling program managers and/or           coordinators at State and/or local level
       Defined job parameters and job descriptions for peer counselors
       Adequate compensation and reimbursement of peer counselors
       Training of appropriate WIC State/local peer counseling management           and clinic staff (including use of "Using Loving Support to Manage           Peer Counseling Programs™ " and "Peer Counseling: Making a Difference           for WIC Families™ " training curriculum and PowerPoint presentations)
       Establishment of standardized breastfeeding peer counseling program           policies and procedures at the State and local level as part of Agency           nutrition education plan
       Adequate supervision and monitoring of peer counselors
       Establishment of community partnerships to enhance the effectiveness           of a WIC peer counseling program

 Adequate Program Support of Peer Counselors
       Adequate training and continuing education of peer counselors           (including use of "Loving Support through Peer Counseling™ " training           curriculum, available 2005)
       Timely access to breastfeeding coordinators and other lactation           experts for assistance with problems outside of peer counselor scope           of practice
       Regular, systematic contact with supervisor
       Participation in clinic staff meetings and breastfeeding inservices as           part of the WIC team
       Opportunities to meet regularly with other peer counselors