Section 11 Strategic Planning KickOff

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Development Of AnImplementation Plan

• In accepting peer counseling funds, State
  agencies agree to develop an implementation
  plan.
  
• Plan must be consistent with the components of a
  successful peer counseling program as set forth
  in todays training.

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What To Include In AnImplementation Plan

• Adequate Program Support from State and Local
  Management
  
• Designation of peer counseling program
  manager/coordinator
  
• Training of appropriate State/local peer
  management and clinic staff
  
• Establishment of program policies and protocols
• Defined practice parameters and job descriptions

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What To Include In AnImplementation Plan

• Adequate Program Support from
• State and Local Management (cont.)
• Adequate compensation and reimbursement of peer
  counselors
  
• Supervision and monitoring of peer counselors
• Evidence of building teamwork with WIC staff
• Partnerships within the community

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What To Include In AnImplementation Plan

• Adequate Support of Peer Counselors
• Timely access to breastfeeding coordinator,
  lactation consultants and/or other referral
  resources for immediate assistance with problems
  outside of peer counselor job parameters
• Opportunities to meet regularly with other peer
  counselors
  
• Regular, systematic contact with supervisor

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What To Include In AnImplementation Plan

• Adequate Support of Peer Counselors (cont.)
• Participation in clinic staff meetings as part of
  the WIC team
  
• Training and continuing education of peer
  counselors

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Program Flexibility
State and local agencies have the flexibility to
develop, implement, or enhance peer counseling
programs appropriate for the needs of your
agencies and communities as long as these
components are included.
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Funding And Expenditures

• FY 2004, 14.9 million appropriated to support
  peer counseling in WIC
  
• Enable State agencies to implement or expand
  peer counseling programs
  
• Congress directed that expenditures not to be
  counted toward meeting the one-sixth education
  and breastfeeding target requirements

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FY 2004 Peer CounselingFunds Allowable Costs

• Compensation for
• Peer counselors
• Designated peer counselor managers/coordinators

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FY 2004 Peer CounselingFunds Allowable Costs

• Related Costs
• Training
• Recruitment of peer counselors
• Communication expenses (telephone, pagers) for
  participant contacts
  
• Travel for home and hospital visits and training
• Purchase of demonstration materials (breast
  pumps, breastfeeding aids, videos for peer
  counselors to use with participants)

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FY 2004 Peer CounselingFunds Non-Allowable Costs

• Items and materials for distribution to WIC
  participants are not allowable costs under this
  funding and should instead be purchased using
  regular NSA funds.

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Definition Of Peer Counselor

• General Description
• Paraprofessionals
• Selected from group to be served
• Without extended professional training
• Ongoing supervision to perform some key function
  generally performed by a professional

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The idea at the heart of a peer counseling
program is that as peers these mothers have an
ability to help and influence other mothers in
ways that health professionals do not.
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Ideal Peer CounselorQualifications

• Enthusiasm for breastfeeding
• Basic communication skills
• Previous breastfeeding experience
• Similarities with WIC participants served
• Current or previous WIC participant
• Similar ethnic background
• Similar age
• Same language spoken

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Peer Counselors AreNot Regular WIC Staff

• Adjuncts to regular WIC staff
• Provide services outside the scope of regular WIC
  staff
  
• Clear distinction between regular WIC staff and
  peer counselors

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Peer Counselors Provide UniqueAnd Special
Qualities And Services

• Peer counselors
• Are women in the community with personal
  breastfeeding experience who model and provide
  breastfeeding information and support for other
  mothers
• Provide breastfeeding help outside usual clinic
  hours and outside the WIC clinic environment
  
• Fill the gap in services after hospital discharge
  to achieve seamless continuity of care

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Program Development Planning
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Closing Remarks