WIC Advisory Group openings for 2024 – applications due Friday Dec. 15
If you’re looking for an opportunity to be more involved on WIC policy issues, priorities, and activities, consider being a member of our WIC Advisory Group. As a member, you represent a group of agencies and will be asked to share the unique perspective, challenges, and concerns of your group with the WIC Management Team and your colleagues.
2024 openings:
- Northwest Region
- Tribal Agency
- Caseload 4 and 5
Who is eligible to apply?
- WIC Coordinators. (We encourage you to discuss this with your supervisor to obtain their support and/or approval.)
For more details, including responsibilities and duties, review the WIC Advisory Group webpage.
How can you apply?
- If interested, please complete this 2024 Advisory Group Application by Friday, Dec. 15.
- If more than one person applies to represent the group, the WIC Coordinators in that group will vote.
Questions about participating? You can contact another advisory group member or Tina Breitenbach at tina.breitenbach@state.mn.us
We want to hear from you – MDH Strategic Plan
The Minnesota Department of Health is asking for feedback on the draft MDH strategic plan for 2023-2027. MDH is looking for feedback from local and tribal public health, other government partners, grantees, community-based partners, health care partners, partners in academia, and anyone who is interested in how this plan will impact MDH moving forward.
Here are some feedback opportunities:
Thank you for taking time to share your important perspective.
Infant Safe Sleep Week in Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz has declared this week (November 12-18), Infant Safe Sleep Week in Minnesota. The Governor’s proclamation is posted on MDH’s Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative’s website for viewing or downloading. Educational messages highlighting practices demonstrated to keep infants safe while they sleep or nap will be posted on MDH social media platforms this week. Watch for posts to share here: MN Health Facebook and MN Health Instagram.
Questions? Contact the Maternal and Child Health Section at Health.MCH@state.mn.us or 651-201-3650.
Maternal and Child Health Journal publishes local WIC agency staff article
Maternal and Child Health Journal has published an article, "Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Identity Modify Postpartum Participation in the Minnesota WIC Program", authored by Betsy Lundmark, a local WIC agency staff person who conducted the study as part of her master’s in public health degree program. Betsy’s analysis found that, among women and others participating in WIC prenatally, American Indian participants were least likely to return postpartum, followed by white participants, while Hmong participants had the highest rates of postpartum return.
HemoCue 201 Analyzers available at Le Sueur County
There are two Hemocue 201 Analyzers available at Le Sueur County. Contact Briana Bastyr at bbastyr@co.le-sueur.mn.us if interested.
Family gives 40 years of service to WIC Nutritional Program
 (Left) Kathy Kudrle, working at a Dakota County WIC clinic in 1994; (Right) Melanie Hallal, WIC Dietitian for Bloomington Public Health.
The City of Bloomington Public Health communications specialist, Colleen Hermann-Franzen, shared this article with MN WIC about a family dedicated to serving the WIC program.
Melanie Hallal, a dietitian with the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutritional Program at Bloomington Public Health, received the following message from a grateful client:
“We love WIC. We get $50 for fruits and vegetables and ALL this other healthy stuff! I’ve had about five people at the grocery store tell me that my WIC grocery cart is the healthiest cart they have ever seen. You guys are doing good work. I hope someday I can give back.”
It turns out, Melanie’s family has strong ties to public service and the WIC program. Her mother, Kathy, worked for the WIC program at Dakota County Public Health for 28 years. Melanie remembers getting early exposure to her mother’s work through events such as “Take Your Child to Work Day.” That early learning inspired Melanie to follow in her mom’s footsteps. Melanie has provided Public Health clients with nutrition education and food benefits for 12 years at the City of Bloomington.
Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
The week ahead
| Monday, Nov. 20 |
Tuesday, Nov. 21 |
Wednesday, Nov. 22 |
Thursday, Nov. 23 |
Friday, Nov. 24 |
|
WIC Fiscal Claim Due
SC Regional WIC Meeting 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
|
Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar |
|
State Office Closed |
State Office Closed |
Check out upcoming trainings and meetings: Local Agency WIC Calendar
Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. This week includes:
- Olmsted County Public Health WIC Program
- WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Spanish Speaking
- WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Somali Speaking
- St. Joseph's WIC Program Coordinator
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
|
