How do we help regular WIC staff understand the role of the WIC peer counselor? How do we keep regular WIC staff from being resentful of peer counselors?
As discussed in the training curriculum, helping regular WIC staff “buy in” to the concept of peer counselors can help alleviate feelings of resentment. The CD-ROM included in the Using Loving Support to Manage Peer Counseling Programs training manual provided to all WIC State agencies includes a one-hour Power Point presentation Peer Counseling: Making a Difference for WIC Families. This presentation can be used to help orient local WIC clinic staff about the peer counseling program, solicit their support for the program, and help them view peer counselors as unique partners who complement and reinforce their work with WIC participants.
