La Leche League International developed a Peer counselor program, training  
materials, curriculum, and materials for both PCs and program administrators in 
 the late 1980s. They have programs in several countries around the world.   
The PC program has the resources of LLLI behind it, has a developed 
curriculum,  and provides training and support for program administrators. Materials are 
 available in several languages. The support from LLLI is wonderful for 
program  administrators-you can call and ask questions at any time and for any 
aspect of  the program. Many states are developing their own programs but I can't 
see the  value of a state having to pay to develop their own curriculum when 
you  have the resources of LLLI and the BRC at your fingertips. You can check 
it out  at their website:
_http://lalecheleague.org/ed/PeerCounsel.html_ 
(http://lalecheleague.org/ed/PeerCounsel.html) .
 
I was the coordinator of a PC program in the early 1990s in eastern NC. The  
WIC bfing rate increased from 11% to 45% during a 2 year period. We had a  
combination of both volunteer and paid peer counselors. We were funded through a  
variety of funds, including grants and community donations. Our program ended 
 when the WIC program decided to take over the program due to lack of  
breastfeeding dedicated funds, and let the nutritionists do the breastfeeding  
counseling. Unfortunately nutritionists do not often have the same amount of  
education, experience, commitment and passion for breastfeeding. 
 
Barbara Whitehead, BS,IBCLC, RLC
eastern NC

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