Monroe County WIC Program Awarded 2026 USDA Gold Breastfeeding Award of Excellence

Monroe County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) is proud to announce that the Monroe County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program has been awarded the 2026 Gold WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence, the highest recognition granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program.

The gold award honors local WIC agencies that demonstrate exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support practices beyond the core peer counseling model. To earn this distinction, agencies must operate a strong, well‑structured breastfeeding peer counseling program for at least one year and meet all 30 national gold‑level criteria. These criteria reflect best practices in planning, consistent and timely breastfeeding support, robust staff training, effective referral systems, breastfeeding‑friendly clinic environments, and organizational policies that protect and promote exclusive breastfeeding.

“This achievement would not have been possible without our exceptional WIC team, especially Carolyn de Paula, our breastfeeding peer counselor coordinator and breastfeeding expert,” said Hannah Hamilton, public health services manager for WIC and Healthy Babies. “Breastfeeding support is a vital part of the WIC program, and every member of our staff is trained to guide and encourage our clients throughout their breastfeeding journey.”

Monroe County WIC continues to expand breastfeeding outreach, strengthen early support for new parents, and promote evidence‑based practices that help families thrive during the earliest stages of life.

For breastfeeding support, nutrition guidance, and other WIC services, families are encouraged to connect with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County WIC team at any time to learn how WIC can support a healthy start for both parent and baby. Contact the WIC team at 305-676-3933 or email DOHMonroe@FLHealth.gov.