Peer
Support Counselor Programs: Texas
Texas Peer Counseling
Program
The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program in Texas was initiated in
April, 1991, with the intention of improving infant health through increases
in the practice of breastfeeding. Program goals are to
- increase the number of
pregnant WIC mothers who choose to breastfeed their infants.
- provide follow-up
support for mothers when they have their babies to help them initiate
and continue breastfeeding.
- provide a long-term
neighborhood based network of breastfeeding support for mothers in
low-income neighborhoods.
Peer Counselors are WIC
mothers who have successfully breastfed their infants and have completed a
20-hour training course where they learn how to handle common problems of
breastfeeding, and effective ways to offer encouragement, information, and
support to women much like themselves.
Since the program began
in 1991, over 1600 mothers have been trained to be breastfeeding peer
counselors in Texas. Today there are approximately 350 active peer
counselors working in 55 WIC local agencies and approximately 50 hospitals.
For more information on the Texas Peer Counselor Program, visit http://www.tdh.texas.gov/lactate/peer.htm
Contact information:
Address:
Jewell Stremler
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator
Bureau of Clinical and Nutrition Services
Texas Department of Health
1100 W. 49th St.
Austin, Texas 78756
Telephone: (512)
406-0744
E-mail: Jewell.Stremler@tdh.state.tx.us
Website: http://www.tdh.texas.gov/lactate/peer.htm
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