State, Local and/or Tribal Agencies

Appendix E1: LWA Staff Interview Guide 1:
Demonstration Period

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WIC Peer Counseling Study
Interview Guide 1: LWA Staff Interviews (Demonstration Period)
INTERVIEWER NAME

DATE

LOCATION

NAME OF LWA

SITE ID

Time start

OMB Clearance Number: 0584-0548

Time end

Expiration Date: mm/dd/20xx

Estimates of Burden for the Collection of Information.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
collection is 0584-0548. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average
3.5 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the
data needed, and complete and review the information collected.

Introduction
Thank you for taking the time today to participate in this interview. As part of the WIC Breastfeeding
Peer Counseling Study for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), we
are interviewing key people involved in the implementation of the Loving Support Peer Counseling
Program at your agency. There are two purposes of this phase of our study. First, we want to
describe the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program at your agency before you began the
Demonstration Period of the intervention. Next, we’d like to learn how you have begun testing two
additional components: contacting new mothers when they are in the hospital for delivery and
conducting in-person meetings with new mothers during the first week to ten days post-partum.
You and your agency’s name and location will not be identified in reports prepared for this study or
in data files provided to FNS. None of your responses during the interview will be released in a form
that identifies you or any other staff member by name, except as required by law. Although we may
report direct quotations from the interview, you and your agency will be given pseudonyms. Because
of the small number of individuals selected to participate in this interview, it is possible that you may
be identifiable to other people on the basis of what you have said. Please note that this study is not
part of an audit or management review of WIC. Your participation in the interview is completely
voluntary, although someone from your agency must complete the interview if your agency is going
to participate in the impact study. Do you have any questions before we begin?

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Module A: Respondent Information
Interviewer: In some agencies the Breastfeeding Coordinator and the Peer Counseling Coordinator
may be the same individual, or the two roles may not be separate. If the LWA does have both a
Breastfeeding Coordinator and a separate Peer Counseling Coordinator, you may interview both.
You also may interview the LWA Director.
I’m going to ask you some questions about the Loving Support Peer Counseling program at your
agency. First I’ll ask about your Peer Counseling program activities and procedures before you began
the Demonstration Period of the enhancements, and then I’ll ask you about what your agency has
done to implement the two new components to the program: having peer counselors contact women
when they are in the hospital and meet in-person with new mothers during the first week to 10 days
post-partum.

A1.

Please enter the name and title of each person answering this survey.
Respondent

Title Use the titles below, if applicable

Title: Write the title or position, if any, each respondent holds. Examples of possible respondents:
 Breastfeeding Coordinator
 Budget director
 Loving Support peer counselor
 Loving Support peer counselor coordinator or supervisor
 WIC Agency director
 Respondent has other duties ( If other duties, Please specify)
A2.

Who else works on the Loving Support peer counseling program? (name, position)

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Module B: Agency Activities to Promote Breastfeeding
Intro: We would like to learn about your agency’s efforts to support and promote breastfeeding,
including Loving Support peer counseling.
B1.

How long has your agency received funding from your State WIC agency for Loving Support
Peer Counseling? (probes: year and month of first funding; ensure funding referenced was
for Loving Support Peer Counseling not other breastfeeding promotion or other counseling.
source(s) of funding)
First received funding specifically to implement the Loving Support model:
(month): __ (year): ______

B2.

Have there been any other sources of funding for your Loving Support Peer Counseling
program?

B3.

In addition to offering Loving Support Breastfeeding Peer Counseling, what breastfeeding
promotion activities have been available to WIC participants in your agency? Again, I’m
asking about activities that were available before you began implementing the enhanced
Loving Support Peer Counseling services.
If they occur

Collaborating
Organization(s)
(if any)

Description

Media campaigns about breastfeeding and/or
posting promotional materials WIC clinics,
hospitals, or other public places
certified lactation consultants and other trained
specialists available to WIC participants
breastfeeding support groups or classes for
WIC participants
breastpumps, breastfeeding pillows, or other
equipment that supports breastfeeding
Peer Counseling or other counseling to WIC
participants that is different from the Loving
Support Peer Counseling program
special training on breastfeeding to
nutritionists and other WIC staff
a 24-hour breastfeeding hotline or access to
designated staff with cell phones or pagers
who are on-call after clinic hours? (if yes, ask
how the hotline is staffed or which staff carry
these cell phones)
any other activities to promote breastfeeding
or support breastfeeding mothers? (specify)

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B3a.

Since the Demonstration Period began, have there been any changes in these non-peercounseling breastfeeding promottion activities available to WIC participants in your agency?
(if Yes, describe changes)

B3b.

Since the Demonstration Period began, are you aware of any new breastfeeding awareness
campaigns or changes in existing campaigns conducted by organizations other than WIC in
the communities served by your agency?
 Yes
If yes, describe:
 No
 Don’t know

B4.

Do you have a lactation consultant on staff?
 Yes
 Don’t know
If yes, confirm: Was this lactation consultant on staff before the Demonstration Period
began?
If no, Is there a lactation consultant from a local hospital or other organization that you work
closely with? Do peer counselors have opportunities to meet with this lactation
consultant? When do such opportunities occur?

B4a.

Did peer counselors have opportunities to meet with this lactation consultant? When did such
opportunities occur?

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Module C: WIC Staff Working on Loving Support Peer Counseling
Now I am going to ask about the WIC staff other than peer counselors who work on the Loving
Support peer counseling program. Then I will ask specific question about your peer counselors.
C1.

Who directly supervises the peer counselors?
 The Breastfeeding Coordinator
 A Peer Counseling Coordinator
 Another LWA staffperson. List Title:
C1a.

Were peer counselors supervised by a different individual before the Demonstration
Period began?
 Yes: Who? [title, not name of person]
 No
 Don’t know

C1b.

How long has this person been directly supervising the peer counselors?

C1c.

Please describe this person’s general duties.

C2.

Does the Peer Counseling Coordinator have other duties besides those listed above? If yes,
describe:

C3.

Please describe your agency’s guidelines for qualifications of Peer Counseling Coordinator
and which of these are required qualifications as opposed to preferred qualifications
Peer Counseling Coordinator’s

Agency Hiring Guidelines (if any)

Educational background
Professional training or certifications
Similarity to WIC participants
Personal qualities

Req’d/Pref’d?
Required
Preferred
Required
Preferred
Required
Preferred
Required
Preferred

Practical or logistical capacity to fulfill
peer counseling coordinator duties (e.g.,
transportation, schedule flexibility)

Required
Preferred

Other qualifications

Required
Preferred

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C4. Please tell me the number and positions of all non-peer counseling staff in your agency, and whether or not the person in this position
worked with the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program before you started the Demonstration Period. (titles of positions will vary
by agency and may or may not include: nutritionists; certification specialists; agency director; assistant director; breastfeeding
coordinator; peer counseling coordinator; lactation consultant; budget director; other staff.)

Title or Position
Example: nutritionists

# at the agency
(all service
delivery sites)
10

Before Demonstration
Period, worked with
Loving Support?

Role in Loving Support

New
position?

 YES  NO



 YES  NO



 YES  NO



 YES  NO



 YES  NO



 YES  NO



 YES  NO



 YES  NO



 YES  NO



Any change in qualifications
and/or responsibilities since
start of Demo Period?

C4a.

Since the start of the Demonstration Period, have you hired any new agency staff other than peer counselors? If yes, were any of these
new positions that did not exist before?

C4b.

Have the qualifications or responsibilities for any of these positions changed since the start of the Demonstration Period? (In
particular, review Peer Counseling Coordinator and/or Breastfeeding Coordinator qualifications .)

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C5. Now, I’d like to learn more about each agency staff person’s involvement in the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program, including their
name, who they report to, and the approximate amount of time they spent on Loving Support Peer Counseling Program before the
Demonstration Period began. [Title/Position electronically prefilled from C4]

Name

Title or Position [Prefilled]
WIC agency director

Assistant director

Breastfeeding Coordinator

Peer Counseling Coordinator

Reports to whom?

Estimated amount of
time on Loving Support
program. You can tell us
average hours per week,
or per month, or average
percent of time.
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time

If any changes in time
on Loving Support
since start of Demo
Period, note current
information here:
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time
 Hrs/week
 Hrs/month
 % of time

C5a.

Other than peer counselors’ wages, does the Loving Support grant support the salaries of anyone else? If yes, who? Is this person’s
salary fully or partially supported by the Loving Support grant?

C5b.

Have there been any changes in the average amount of time these staff spend working on the Loving Support Peer Counseling
Program? About how much time total have these staff persons spent on the program since the Demonstration Period began? If yes, fill
in current time spent on Loving Support since Demonstration Period began (last column).

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Module D: Loving Support Peer Counselors
D1.

How many Loving Support peer counselors worked for your agency before the Demonstration
Period began? Please include all peer counselors who worked at local service delivery
sites/clinics.

D2.

Did you hire, or are you currently trying to hire additional peer counselors to help with the
Demonstration Period?





D3.

Yes, currently trying
If yes, How many?
Yes, hired additional for the Demonstration Period
No
Don’t know

If yes, How many?

Please list the first names of each of your peer counselors, and indicate the average number of
hours per week that each peer counselor worked (or hours worked during the last reported month)
before the start of the Demonstration Period and how long she has worked as a peer counselor. If
you had more than 8 peer counselors working for your agency then, please continue this list by
adding lines as necessary.
Table below pre-filled by agency in advance of site visit:
First Name(s)

# of months or
years as a Peer
Counselor

Avg. Weekly Hours
Worked before
Demo Period

Change in Avg. Weekly
Hrs since start of
Demo Period

Peer Counselor
#1
Peer Counselor
#2
Peer Counselor
#3
Peer Counselor
#4
Peer Counselor
#5
Peer Counselor
#6
Peer Counselor
#7
Peer Counselor
#8

D3a.

Are there any Peer Counselors who are NOT supported by the FNS Loving Support grant? If yes,
how many Peer Counselors? Is any percentage of their time covered by the grant and if so, what
percentage?

D3b.

Since the start of the Demonstration Period, have there been any changes in the average amount
of time peer counselors work?

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Completed AFTER the interview and fill TABLE at end of MODULE F
D3i
Total # of Peer
Counselors

D4.

D3ii
Sum of Hours/Week

X 4.3 wks/mo

D3iii
Total # of Peer Counseling
Hours/Month

If job description for peer counselors not yet received:
Do you have a written job description for Loving Support peer counselors?
 Yes
 No

D4a.

If yes, please provide us with a copy of the job description. Is this the job description you were
using before the Demonstration Period began?
 Yes
 No
If no, ask for a copy of the job description used prior to the Demonstration Period.

D4b.

Since the start of the Demonstration Period, have there been any changes in the qualifications or
hiring criteria for peer counselors? If yes, describe these changes:

D5a.

We will ask about peer counselor's roles in further detail later on, but right now I'd like to ask, in
addition to providing peer counseling, before the Demonstration Period began, did Loving
Support peer counselors have other job activities such as teaching classes?

D5b.

Since the Demonstration Period began, have there been any changes in peer counselors’ job
responsibilities?

D6.

How do Peer Counselors’ wages compare to WIC entry-level support staff in your agency?
 Lower
 Roughly equivalent
 Higher
 Don’t know
 Other

D7.

Please indicate below the non-wage compensation that you provide to your Loving Support peer
counselors. (Select all that apply)
 Paid leave (e.g., sick, holiday, vacation)
 Health insurance benefits
 Other benefits (e.g., life insurance, disability insurance)
 Compensation for job-related expenses (e.g., mileage, telephone)
 Other types of compensation
If other, Please specify.

D8.

Have there been any changes in peer counselors’ wages or non-wage compensation since the start
of the Demonstration Period?

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D9.

Since the start of the Demonstration Period, have peer counselors received any extra resources to
deliver the enhancements – that is, to make telephone or in-person contact with women in the
hospital for delivery, or to make in-person contacts with women who’ve just given birth?

D10.

Have there been any changes in policies or practices for making peer counselors available to WIC
participants outside of regular working hours?

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Module E: Local Sites Offering Loving Support Peer Counseling
E1.

We understand that you have [number] WIC clinics/local service delivery sites —is that
accurate?
 YES
 NO. The number of sites is:

E2a.

# of Sites

Before you began the Demonstration Period, how many of these sites were offering Loving
Support peer counseling services to WIC participants?
# of Sites that offered Loving Support peer counseling services (before Demo Period).

E2b.

Since the Demonstration Period began, have there been any changes in the number of service
delivery sites that offer Loving Support peer counseling services or changes in which sites offer
these services?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t know
If yes, describe:

E3.

Now that you’ve begun the Demonstration Period, please tell us which sites are offering the
enhanced Loving Support peer counseling services (that is, which sites are participating in the
Demonstration) and how many peer counselors at each site are offering the enhanced services?
If your agency has more than 6 service delivery sites, please provide details for the 6 largest sites
and summarize the information for the remaining sites.

Site #

Site Name Where Loving Support
Peer Counseling is offered

# of Peer Counselors
offering the enhanced services

1
2
3
4
5
6
All others
Combined

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Allocation of Peer Counselors Across Sites

E4.

Below are the names of the peer counselors [prefilled from Item D3] who offering the enhanced
Loving Support Peer Counseling services and the sites participating in the Demonstration. We’d
like to know how each Peer Counselor’s weekly hours are allocated to these sites: How many
hours per week (or what percentage of time) does each of these Peer Counselors allocate to each
site?

Peer Counselor Time Allocation Chart
Peer Counselor

Name:

Site. #1

Site #2

Site #3

Site #4

Site #5

Site #6

Site name

Site name

Site name

Site name

Site name

Site name

1 [prefilled]
2 [prefilled]
3 [prefilled]
4 [prefilled]
5 [prefilled]
6 [prefilled]
7 [prefilled]
8 [prefilled]

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Module F: Loving Support Peer Counseling Service Delivery
Selecting WIC Participants to Receive Loving Support Peer Counseling

F1.

Is there any particular group of WIC participants who are especially targeted to receive Loving
Support peer counseling If yes, describe:

F2.

During the last reported month before the start of the Demonstration Period, how many women
total were in the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program – that is, across all peer counselors,
how large was the total peer counseling caseload? (This answer is needed for calculating
caseload and intensity – see TABLE at end of MODULE F)

F3.

What percentage of WIC participants first enrolled in Loving Support Peer Counseling Program:
―
―
―
―
―

During their first trimester of pregnancy
During their second trimester of pregnancy
During their third trimester
Within the first month after they had given birth
More than one month post-partum

Assignment of WIC Participants to Peer Counselors

F4.

Based on your agency’s application to participate in the study, the process your agency follows
for assigning WIC participants to peer counselors is [review description from FOA]. Is this
accurate? If no, describe how you match WIC participants and peer counselors.

F5.

Also, we want to confirm the procedures you use when Loving Support peer counseling
participants are reassigned, if a peer counselor leaves the agency. [review description of process
from response to FOA]. Is this accurate? If no, describe what happens.

F6.

Before the Demonstration Period began, what percent of women targeted for the Loving Support
Peer Counseling Program actually took up the services (that is, they participated in an in-person
or telephone contact with a Loving Support peer counselor)?

F6a.

What do you think their main reasons are for not doing so?

F6b.

Do you keep records of why women do not take up services?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t know

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Contacts with WIC Participants and Documentation of Contacts

F7.

Before the Demonstration Period began, what was the average number of monthly contacts made
with WIC participants for all peer counselors combined?
Average # of contacts per month
(all peer counselors combined)

F8.

How did these contacts breakdown according to those that occur in the WIC offices, in the
hospital, over the telephone, or by other means? In the last reported month before the start of the
Demonstration Period, what was the number of contacts that occurred:
Mode
In the WIC office(s)

#

In the hospital
Over the telephone

Using text messages

By mail
By email

Does this include messages left on voice mail?
 Yes
 No
Does this include messages sent, received, or both?
 Sent by peer counselors
 Received from clients
 Both
Does this include mailings sent out, received, or both?
Does this include email sent, received, or both?
 Sent by peer counselors
 Received from clients
 Both

Other (specify):

F9.

Before the Demonstration Period, did the agency have formal policies about the frequency of
contact during each of the following time periods?
In actual practice, how frequently did peer counselors successfully contact participants during
these times? We are referring here to contacts in-person or by phone, where the peer counselor
has an exchange with a WIC participant. Don’t include unsuccessful attempts to reach
participants.

Intro: We just reviewed your agency policies about contact and outreach to participants. Now I'll ask
you about WIC participants initiating contact with counselors.
F10.

Before the start of the Demonstration Period, how frequently did WIC participants who were
enrolled in the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program request assistance from peer counselors?
What were the most frequent reasons for such requests?

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F11.

Before the start of the Demonstration Period, were peer counselors available to WIC participants
outside of standard work hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)?

F12.

How did Peer Counselors typically find out when a woman delivered a baby?

Content of Peer Counseling Sessions

F13.

What topics were discussed and techniques demonstrated by peer counselors to Loving Support
peer counseling participants at the following times:
 During pregnancy?
 First month post-partum?

F14.

Was the content of the sessions standardized?
 Yes
If yes, Please describe how.
 No
 Don’t know

Documentation

F15.

What did peer counselors record/document about peer counseling activities? (Select all that
apply.)

Location of contact

Method of contact (e.g., home visit, phone)

Topics/issues discussed with client

Unsuccessful contacts

Materials sent

Demographic information about mother and baby

Referrals made

Status of WIC participant in terms of initiation, duration, exclusivity of breastfeeding

Other (Specify:)

F16.

How was this information recorded?

On paper records

In local centralized data base

In state centralized data base

Other method (Specify)________________

F17.

How often was this information recorded?

At each client contact

Once a week

Once every two weeks

Once a month

Other (Specify)___________________________________________________________

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Estimated Average Caseload and Average Peer Counseling Intensity

Completed AFTER the conclusion of the interview (or programmed for automatic calculation)
During last reported month before Demonstration Period
# of WIC participants enrolled in peer counseling

(F2)

Total # of Peer Counselors

(D3i)

Total # of Peer Counseling Hours

(D3iii)

Caseload: Average # of WIC participants per Peer Counselor

(F2)/(D3i)

Intensity: Average # of Peer Counseling Hours per WIC participant

(D3iii)/(F2)

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Module G: Recruiting, Training and Supporting Peer Counselors
Loving Support Training

G1.

Below is a list of training sessions related to the Loving Support peer counseling that may be
offered in your state as well as more generic training sessions. Please indicate whether some or all
of the agency staff who work directly with WIC Participants have received this training, and
whether some or all of the peer counselors have received such training before the start of the
Demonstration Period.
WIC Staff who work
with WIC Participants
(choose one per row)

Loving Support Training Chart
a. “Using Loving Support to Manage Peer
Counseling Programs” training

Some

b.

Other locally and/or State-offered training on
breastfeeding and/or role of peer counselors

c.

Lactation management training approved
through IBCLSC Continuing Education
Recognition Points (CERPs)

d.

Other lactation courses that award certificates

G2.

All

Peer Counselors
(choose one per row)
Some

All

In addition to ongoing training, what are the ways in which you supported and monitored peer
counselors prior to the start of the Demonstration Period? For instance, was there mentoring or
on-the-job shadowing justafter peer counselors start working?

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Module H: Loving Support Peer Counseling Expenditures
(Prefilled from response to FOA)
H1.
What is the time period for your organization’s fiscal year?
January 1 – December 31
July 1 – June 30
October 1 – September 30
Other (specify: __________________________________________)
H2.

H3.

Please list the total labor and non-labor expenditures for your WIC agency for your last
completed fiscal year (2010):
Labor costs (Including salaries and fringe benefits)

$ _______________

Non-labor costs (Including rent/mortgage/fee for the
Space, utilities, professional fees, repair and maintenance,
Office supplies and equipment, etc.)

$ _______________

Now we would like to know how your agency spent its FNS Loving Support peer counseling
grant funding during your fiscal year 2010. Please fill in all the lines in bold. If possible, please
also fill out any other lines if you have this information. If you do not have it, please indicate so
with an ―N/A‖.
FNS Loving Support Peer
Counseling Grant Expenditures
Salaries & benefits
Salaries
Fringe Benefits
Non-labor direct expenditures
Travel
Contract/ Purchased services
Capital equipment
Non-capital equipment and supplies
Indirect cost and occupancy expenditures (rent, utilities, etc.)
Total Expenditures for Loving Support peer counseling

H4.

Overall, how much funding did your agency commit in your last fiscal year to breastfeeding
promotion services other than FNS Loving Support peer counseling grant funds? These funds are
in addition to those you specify in the chart above.
$____________ for breastfeeding promotion in the last fiscal year.
Don’t know

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Module I: Relationships with Hospital and Other Community Partnerships
I1.

Please answer the following questions for the local hospitals where WIC participants served by your agency most frequently deliver their
infants.

a.

What proportion of these hospitals have been designated a Baby-Friendly Hospital, as outlined by UNICEF
and the World Health Organization?

b.
c.
d.

What proportion of these hospitals have rooming in for newborns?
In what proportion of these hospitals are mothers encouraged to breastfeed within the first hour after birth?
In what proportion of these hospitals are breastfeeding infants routinely given any supplementation,
including water?
What proportion of these hospitals provide formula discharge packs?
What proportion of these hospitals have lactation consultants on staff?
What proportion of the hospitals have staff that received training in lactation management in the last 3
years?
What proportion of these hospitals have any discharge lactating support programs?
What proportion of these hospitals refer pregnant or newly delivered women to your agency?
In what proportion of these hospitals do WIC staff provide education to newly delivered women in the
hospital?
In what proportion of these hospitals are WIC certifications of newly delivered women and their infants done
while in the hospital?
In what proportion of these hospitals does your agency have a local clinic or service delivery site?
In what proportion of these hospitals are peer counselors allowed access to WIC participants in this
hospital? If most, some, or few/none, report why peer counselors are not permitted in other
hospitals.

e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.

ALL

MOST

SOME

FEW/
NONE

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I1a. Since the start of the Demonstration Period, have any of these hospitals’ practices that affect breastfeeding changed?

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I2.

Before the start of the Demonstration Period, did your agency collaborate with other
organizations (that is, besides hospitals) to implement the Loving Support Peer Counseling
Program? If yes, ask for Description. If necessary, give examples: Examples may include La
Leche League, the Nurse-Family Partnership, Healthy Start, public health or maternal and child
health agencies, or any other organizations –the ones I named were just a few of the ones
possible.

I3.

Have you started any new collaborations as part of the Demonstration Period? If yes, ask for
Description

I4.

Before the start of the Demonstration Period, did your staff or peer counselors encourage
pregnant WIC participants or new mothers to participate in the ―Text4Baby‖ program?

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Module J:

Adapting the Loving Support Peer Counseling Program

Now that you’ve given me a good description of your agency’s administration of the Loving Support Peer
Counseling Program before you began the Demonstration Period, I’d like to talk next about how the
Demonstration Period has been going and any changes you have made to the peer counseling program
since the Demonstration Period began on [DATE LWA BEGAN DEMONSTRATION PERIOD -prefilled --].
Assigning WIC Participants to Peer Counselors

J1.

Have you made any changes in the criteria you use to decide which WIC participants will receive
peer counseling?

J2.

Have you made any changes in the way that WIC participants are assigned to peer counselors?

J3.

Since the Demonstration Period began, have you had to re-assign any WIC participants because a
peer counselor left, or was not available to conduct an in-person meeting or make a hospital
contact? If yes, how did you make this re-assignment?

J4.

Has the average caseloads of peer counselors increased, decreased, or stayed about the same since
the Demonstration Period began?
 Increased Why?
 Decreased Why?
 About the same

Implementing the Enhancements During the Demonstration Period

Now I’d like to talk about how you planned to implement the enhanced peer counseling services, and how
those plans have been working.
J5.

What procedures have you followed to implement the enhanced peer counseling services to WIC
participants – namely making contact when they are in the hospital and completing in-person
meetings during the first week to ten days post-partum? How are you ensuring that these
contacts occur? What are the major barriers to making these contacts?

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J6.

So far during the Demonstration Period, how many WIC participants have peer counselors been
able to reach at the hospital – either by telephone or in-person? How many attempts were
unsuccessful?
Targeted number of hospital contacts:

prefilled

Number of successful hospital contacts:
Number of unsuccessful attempted hospital contacts:

J7.

What are the main challenges to completing these contacts with WIC participants in the hospital
just after delivery? What practices have proven most successful?

J8.

So far during the Demonstration Period, how many WIC participants have met in-person with a
peer counselor during their first week (that is, up to 10 days) post-partum? How many
attempts to schedule such meetings have been unsuccessful?

Targeted number of in-person post-partum contacts:

prefilled

Number of successful in-person contacts during first week
post-partum
Number of unsuccessful attempted in-person post-partum
contacts

J9.

What are the main challenges to completing these in-person meetings during the first week postpartum? What practices have proven most successful?

J10.

Where are in-person post-partum meetings taking place? (How many are in the WIC
participants’ homes, in the WIC clinic, etc.)

Location

Number completed since start
of Demonstration Period

In WIC participant homes:
In WIC clinic:
Other location (specify):
Other location (specify):

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J11.

Are you on target to meet the goals of the Demonstration Period?
 Yes
 No If not: What do you think would help?

J12.

Do you know how WIC participants receiving the enhancements are reacting to them?

J13.

What proportion of WIC participants targeted for an in-person meeting during her first 10 days
post-partum explicitly said they didn’t want to meet with their peer counselors? What reasons
have they given? What steps have you taken in response?

Documentation/Contact Logs

J14.

Have the contact logs that Peer Counselors are using changed at all because of the Demonstration
Period?
 Yes If yes, ask: May I please have a copy of it?
 No
 Don’t know

J15.

How have peer counselors reacted to changes in the contact logs? Have there been any difficulties
implementing these changes?

Training and Supervision of Peer Counselors

J16.

What information or training have you provided to LWA staff (other than peer counselors) about
the enhanced peer counseling services or the Demonstration Period?

J17.

What training and support have you provided to peer counselors to implement the enhancements,
including the hospital contacts and in-person meetings during the first week post-partum?

J18.

Have you made any changes in how peer counselors are supervised, or the types of mentoring
they are provided?

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Module K. Plans for the Study Period (onset of random assignment)
K1.

Based on your experience so far with the Demonstration Period, what have been the major
challenges to delivering the enhanced peer counseling services to WIC participants in the hospital
and during the first 10 days post-partum? How do you plan to meet those challenges?

K2.

What procedures have worked well to deliver these enhanced peer counseling services?

K3.

Once we move from the Demonstration Period into the Study Period, do you have plans for
changes in any of the following areas:
 Staffing, either LWA staff or peer counselors at the agency or site delivery level
 Training content, frequency, or procedures for LWA staff or peer counselors
 Which clinics/# of clinics offering peer counseling
 Supervision and monitoring of peer counselors
 Maintaining data or documentation on peer counseling services
 Procedures for assigning WIC participants to peer counselors
Describe any planned changes below:

K4.

Once we start implementing random assignment, what are your plans for assigning WIC
participants to peer counselors? What do you think the major challenges will be? How do you
plan to address those challenges?

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