Qualifications and Roles: Local Agency Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator/Supervisor

The local agency ensures that the Local Agency Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator/Supervisor has all of the following qualifications:

1. Meets the qualifications for a CPA.
2. Has experience in program management.
3. Has, at minimum, 1 year of experience in counseling breastfeeding women.
4. Has successfully completed specialized training in lactation management and care (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is preferred, but individual may be exam-eligible or have successfully completed other State-approved specialized training).

The local agency ensures that the Local Agency Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator/Supervisor performs the following roles and responsibilities:

1. Contributes to the development of program goals and objectives for the local agency peer counseling program.
2. Conducts a needs assessment to identify gaps in breastfeeding resources and services within the local agency and community that the WIC peer counseling program can address.
3. Oversees the training of peer counselors and peer counselor supervisors.
4. Oversees the planning, management, implementation and evaluation of local agency peer counseling activities.
5. Keeps current with up-to-date breastfeeding information and disseminates this as well as FNS-provided information to other local agency staff.
6. Mentors new peer counselors, providing routine follow-up and guidance in the early days of the job.
7. Provides ongoing supervision and feedback for peer counselors
8. Reports on peer counseling program activities to supervisor and the State agency.
9. Coordinates with local community stakeholders such as hospitals and health care providers to enhance the effectiveness of the peer counseling program.