DFCS

Encourage mothers to choose to breastfeed and to offer support and encouragement for a successful breastfeeding experience; Increase the number of mothers who breastfeed their infants; Increase the number of days, weeks and months that breastfeeding continues; Provide breastfeeding encouragement and support to women throughout their infant's first year of life.

7 CFR 246; 2013 WIC Nutrition Services Standards, FNS, USDA; funded through 2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization

n/a

n/a

The WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program mission is to improve breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, reduce infant mortality, improve long term health benefits of women, infants and children, and to reduce the incidence of obesity in childhood and later life. The program provides specialized breastfeeding education, encouragement and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women. The program is provided within select WIC agencies based on funding and serves low income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women within the geographical area of the local agency WIC program. It is the goal of the Illinois WIC Program to increase the rates of exclusive and sustained breastfeeding among WIC participants. The long-range goal of the program is to institutionalize breastfeeding peer counseling (BFPC) as a core service in the Illinois WIC Program. The BFPC Program Supervisor manages the WIC BFPC program and assists in establishing program goals and objectives according to the WIC and agency philosophy for achieving breastfeeding success. The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to the WIC pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women. The qualifications and function of the BFPC are as follows: a woman of the community with similar characteristics (i.e. age, race, cultural ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic level) of WIC clients; current or previous WIC participants or other women of the community with breastfeeding experience; all BFPCs are trained specifically for giving basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers and handling common breastfeeding concerns. Peer Counselors do on-site counseling and education, home visits, telephone consultations, hospital visits, and lead support groups. Peer Counselors also assist participants with breast pump use and provide outreach to hospitals and physicians on breastfeeding services offered. The program works in collaboration and cooperation with local health departments, not-for-profit health and social service agencies, FQHCs, county boards of health and other organizations, such as the National WIC Association. Each Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program employs at least 1 Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) or more dependent upon the local WIC agency total caseload and funding. The BFPC may be full time or part time dependent upon caseload and funding.

Yes

The related Program Manual can be found via the following DHS website: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29741

Government Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations;

Renewal Applications Only

pregnant and breastfeeding women active in the Illinois WIC Program

Formula Grants

Human Services

n/a

n/a

Application Procedures: 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Local agencies and retailers must apply to the State agency in writing. Individual participants apply for WIC benefits at an approved local agency. State agencies must submit required documentation to FNS.

n/a

MBR excepted; reimbursement based on monthly reporting

n/a

n/a

In accordance with GATA Administrative Rules, Section 350, Merit Based Review of Grant Applications, a merit-based application review is required for competitive Grants and Cooperative Agreements, unless prohibited by State or Federal statute. The appeals process is set forth in section 7000.350 available here: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html

n/a

Formula and Matching Requirements: Statutory Formula: Title 7, Part 246, Public Law Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended. Grants are allocated on the basis of formulas determined by the Department of Agriculture which allocate funds for food benefits, nutrition services and administration costs. This program has no matching requirements. No matching funds are required but some States contribute nonfederal funds in support of a larger WIC Program in their State. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

WIC Program Formula grants are made to State health departments or comparable agencies, Indian tribes, bands, or intertribal councils, or groups recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, or the Indian Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. These agencies distribute funds to participating local public or nonprofit private health or welfare agencies. Allowable Costs These funds must only be used to develop activities necessary to sustain a successful BFPC program. According to USDA, “the priority use of these funds is to hire and train peer counselors to provide breastfeeding peer counseling services to WIC participants.” 1) Salaries of Peer Counselors and Peer Counselor Supervisor’s a) Training costs for Peer Counselor b) Communication expenses for peer to participant contacts c) Peer Counselor travel (1) home and hospital visits (2) travel to trainings (3) regional breastfeeding coalition or task force meetings d) Recruitment and hiring of peer counseling staff e) Purchase of demonstration materials used by peer counselors f) Equipment and electronic tools used by Peer Counselors during participant contacts and education C. All other items/types of activities need approval from the State Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator. All uses must comply with he Federal Regulations (7 CFR 246 and Part 200 Federal Uniform Guidance); and State WIC Policy and Procedure Manual;

Reports: Formula grants require reports on monthly participation and value of food or food instruments issued. Formula grants require cash reports on operating expenses and funds withdrawn from the Federal Letter of credit. Formula grants required monthly participation reports. Project Grants require quarterly progress reports. Formula grants require expenditure reports on operating expenses and funds withdrawn from the Federal Letter of credit. Project grants require a Financial Status Report (SF-425). Formula grants require Financial Management Reviews and Management Evaluations.

JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90 Local Agencies are required to be audited annually, in accordance with: 1. 2 CFR Part 200.501 Audit Requirements; 2. CFR 215 Uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. (OMB Circular A–110); 3. CFR 225 Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87); 4. CFR 230 Cost principles for non-profit organizations (OMB Circular A-122).

Records In accordance with 7 CFR 246, each Local Agency shall maintain full and complete records of Program operations in compliance with Federal and State records retention requirements. All records shall be retained for three (3) years following the close of the fiscal year to which the records pertain. An agency (e.g., any court and all parts, boards, departments, bureaus, and commissions of any county, municipal corporation or political subdivision) shall comply with the Local Records Act, which regulates the destruction and preservation of public records within the State of Illinois. The Federal Agency or Department may require longer retention of records and/or submission of such records to these agencies if the records cover a time period still open to audit.

827004900

n/a

$1,500- $194,800

n/a

USDA Guidance

Statewide

Springfield

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30513

WIC, WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program WIC Food Center Program

n/a

7/1/2021

FY 2017 : $1,951,200
FY 2018 : $1,609,851
FY 2019 : $1,601,800