Assessing progress towards breastfeeding best practices in WIC programs: An evidence-based program assessment

Background: The UC Davis Human Lactation Center and California WIC collaborated to create an evidence-based assessment for breastfeeding peer counseling programs. Methods: A review of current literature related to peer counseling program effects on breastfeeding rates was conducted and evidence-based indicators of successful peer counseling programs were identified. A 3-tiered internal assessment evaluating WIC agency breastfeeding services (focusing on peer counseling programs) was developed based on the identified best practice indicators. For the purpose of this assessment, program indicators refer to policies or protocols in WIC breastfeeding programs that support successful breastfeeding outcomes. A draft assessment was then presented to the California State WIC Peer Counseling Workgroup for review and comment. This workgroup was comprised of state WIC breastfeeding program personnel, California WIC Association, and local agency breastfeeding coordinators from WIC agencies throughout California (n=21). A final version of the assessment was obtained through workgroup and subcommittee consensus. The assessment was then field tested in 16 different local WIC agencies across Northern and Southern California. Testing data collected will focus on time, cost, and feasibility of completing the assessment in a local WIC agency. Results: Testing is in progress at this time. Results TBA. Conclusions: Completion of this evidence-based assessment by local agencies will help state WIC program staff identify strengths and weaknesses of current peer counseling programs, target funding, and provide local agencies with best practice goals to move toward as their programs expand. Field testing results TBA.