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
Spread the word – new Child Tax Credit
Minnesota has a new Child Tax Credit beginning with tax year 2023, and it may benefit WIC families. It provides $1,750 per qualifying child, with no limit on the number of children claimed. Income phaseouts may apply.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue created Working Family Credit and Child Tax Credit Promotional Materials to help share the information with eligible families. You can help spread the word by printing and posting the flyers in your clinic or sharing the messages on your communication channels.
We will send an app message to participants Dec. 12, and share the message to our social media channels.
Subject: New Tax Credit
Message: Do not miss out on Minnesota’s new Child Tax Credit! See if you qualify for a refundable credit of $1,750 for each child under 18. Income phaseouts may apply.
A link to the Minnesota Department of Revenue Child Tax Credit website is posted to the Additional Support for WIC Families webpage.
National WIC Association (NWA) recipe books – estimated arrival mid-December
As mentioned in a previous Weekly Updates, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of WIC, NWA created a recipe book designed for WIC participants using WIC foods. MN WIC purchased some of these cookbooks for distribution to WIC families.
- They will be sent directly to each grantee with the address we have on file.
- Cookbooks were distributed based on caseload.
We need to confirm that each grantee has received their books, and none of the books were damaged. Please complete the NWA Recipe Book Survey after you receive your cookbooks.
Please reach out to your State WIC Consultant with any comments or questions.
Free resource - nutrition resources toolkit
Midwest Dairy and rural health partners created an optional, complimentary nutrition resources toolkit based on MyPlate that may be a useful resource for educating WIC Participants. The toolkit is free, and staff can pick and choose which tools they may use. The toolkit includes:
- MyPlate inspired handouts.
- Coloring and activity book, digital storybook, and collector cards that provide education about the five food groups, vitamins, minerals, and how eating healthy helps to develop strong bones and bodies and nourishes developing brains.
- Slide deck and posters for clinic offices that provide nutritional information reinforced on take-home handouts.
To request this free resource, visit RURAL HEALTH INITIATIVE. Access in available until Dec. 31, 2023
No Topic of the Month for December
Since there is no Topic of the Month for December, we encourage staff to take some time to review the WIC nutrition education cards found on the WIC Nutrition and Your Family. Nutrition education cards are a tool staff may use to support education with participants and offer reminders for them to take home and share with other family members. To highlight a few cards:
Another great tool is the WIC Baby Behavior Education. From brochures to videos, staff can engage with parents to help them better understand their infant feeding cues. During a remote visit, staff can provide instructions on navigating to the educational materials on the app.
It’s a great time to review and share these valuable tools with your WIC families both in person and remotely.
Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
Beat burnout - watch the Adultitis Intervention Video Series
2023 brought another year of change! The return to in person service brought back those precious little faces and also some challenges. The adultitis video series was designed to help staff beat burnout, inspire creativity, and develop resiliency.
These six short videos are fun, easy to use, and practical! Check out this tool to begin boosting motivation and connection today. Have a happy and safe December!
The Week Ahead
Check out upcoming trainings and meetings: Local Agency WIC Calendar
Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. This week includes:
- Dakota County Public Health Supervisor - WIC
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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