Baby Behavior Updated
The WIC Baby Behaviors pages on the MDH website has a new look. As with all WIC education topics, ongoing assessment of staff skills and subsequent staff development activities are essential to ensuring education is accurate, sustainable, and engaging. What have you done recently to update/revitalize/develop staff skills related to Baby Behaviors? What activities might you plan for future staff development?
Check out the new WIC Baby Behaviors page and explore the many ways that Baby Behaviors education can be shared with our WIC participants.
New Structure to the WIC Finance Webpage and Finance Training modules added!
We are excited to announce that our WIC Finance page has been restructured to make it easier to find pertinent information! A new section on that page has been added, Financial Training Modules. These modules are helpful for new financial staff, new WIC staff that will work with financial aspects of the WIC program or new coordinators. The module topics include:
- Module 1 – WIC Federal Funds Basics
- Module 2 – Four WIC Cost Categories
- Module 3 – WIC Funding
- Module 4 – WIC Reimbursement
- Module 5 – Peer Program Funding and Reimbursement
Go check out the page for more details about each module! Contact your consultant with comments or questions.
New State WIC Consultants
The Nutrition & Clinic Services Unit is excited to welcome two new consultants to the state WIC team!
Jamie Cooley is a Registered Dietitian with 10 years of experience as a CPA in Washington County WIC Program. She has worked on Quality Improvement projects, managed training staff and interns and led multiple projects over the years during her time in Washington County. She previously worked with the Fridley Public School District as a Nutrition Consultant and was a Program Coordinator for the USDA Summer Meal Program.
In her spare time Jamie enjoys camping with her husband and two children, concerts and cheering for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Please help us welcome Jamie to the state WIC team! She will begin in this new role on May 8 as the consultant for the South Central region.
Maria Lachance is a Registered Dietitian and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with twelve years’ experience in USDA Nutrition Programs. She has worked for four years as a Nutrition Program Consultant for Child Nutrition Programs at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Previously she worked for 8 years as a WIC Competent Professional Authority (CPA) and Registered Dietitian in Anoka and Dakota WIC agencies. Additionally, she has 2 years’ experience working in Georgia WIC as a Clinical Nutritionist.
Maria enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and two cats, reading books, listening to podcasts, and anything that involves being outside in sunshine and warm weather.
Please help us welcome Maria to the state WIC team! She will begin in this new role on May 10 as the consultant for the Southwest region.
Local Agency WIC Calendar - check out upcoming trainings and meetings.
Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
Updated New Staff Training Plan
The New Staff Training Plan and Preceptor Guide (NST Plan) has been revised and the name has changed. The NST Plan is the go-to place for WIC staff to access required and optional training resources to help onboard them in their new role. Many of you have reached out about the length and look of the NST Plan and we agreed, it is time for change. The old plan was lengthy but included so many valuable resources. The revised NST is now called the New Staff Training Guide and it is restructured into smaller, more manageable sections, making it appropriate for individualized instruction and learning. What this also means is less paper to print!
Learn more about the updates: Updated New Staff Training Plan
WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Trainings– Register now!
This year’s WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Trainings start on May 4. Don’t miss this live training with the curriculum creator Cathy Carothers!
Find more information refer to: WIC Lactation Continuing Education.
April Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar: Helping Parents Be Pros at Storing and Removing Breast Milk
Register for the April 18, 2023, Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar “Helping Parents Be Pros at Storing and Removing Breast Milk” presented by Keva Williams, CLS. Registration opens at 8:00 am EST (7:00 am CT) to watch whenever and wherever until April 16, 2024.
The Week Ahead
Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. This week includes:
- Isanti County Public Health Services, Public Health Nurse
- Wright County Community Action, Inc. WIC Nutrition Educator (CPA)
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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