WIC Weekly Update

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July 17, 2024

IMPORTANT

WINNIE Training Environment Available Monday, July 22

The WINNIE Training Environment will be available on Monday, July 22. The Training Environment uses a desensitized copy of the Production database and is a version of WINNIE where Local Agency staff can practice certification and benefit issuance activities. Local agencies should contact the MN Help Desk (1-800-488-8799, press 2, 2) to request access.

Detailed information can be found in the WINNIE Training Environment – Access Info document available on the WINNIE Training page of the MDH WIC website.

Mead Johnson formula update

On July 9, a tornado struck the Mead Johnson Midwest warehouse in Mount Vernon Indiana. The extent of damages to supply are still unknown and Mead Johnson will be routing MDH orders to other warehouses for fulfillment. This may delay orders one-two additional days and could require use of larger can sizes. WIC authorized vendors may experience smaller allocations or delays as Mead Johnson works to distribute formula out of their two existing warehouses. 

Out of caution, Mead Johnson and FNS have authorized the use of larger Enfamil can sizes for Enfamil AR, Gentlease, Gentlease NeuroPro and Reguline. Enfamil Infant should not be impacted and will not have large can substitutes. Starting July 17, families can begin purchasing the larger can sizes if the WIC can sizes are not available. 

To avoid panic shopping, we ask that families only purchase what they need and only utilize larger cans as necessary. If areas are experiencing shortages, we can place orders through MDH. It is helpful to notify your Regional WIC Consultant so we can track areas in need to direct formula to those communities. 

An app notification will go out to families with infants on July 18. It will be posted to the WIC Communications and Outreach page. Webpages will be updated with substitution lists and additional information. 

• Minnesota WIC Enfamil Formula Substitutions (PDF)
• Sustituciones para las Fórmulas Enfamil del Programa WIC de Minnesota (PDF)
• Isbeddelka Formula Enfamil WIC ka ee Minnesota (PDF)

IN THIS ISSUE

• Stay in the know
• 50 years of WIC
• Training opportunities
• State and local agency career corner
• RESOURCES

Stay in the know

WIC Advisory Group meeting

The next WIC advisory group meeting will be held in person on Monday, July 22.  Refer to the WIC Advisory Group webpage for the agenda. 

More summer food options for families

USDA has new, flexible strategies for providing children with food and nutrition support in the summertime. This enhanced suite of tools is called SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids.  Families now have options for schools in the summer to get their kids the nutrition they need in summer when school meals aren’t available. USDA’s SUN (summer and nutrition) programs offer convenient, flexible options to help kids reach their full potential! Check out the More Summer Smiles promotional toolkit to find out more about SUN programs for your community. Share the SUN Meals (Summer Food Service Program) map to help families find FREE meals sites locally.

Register for the conference: 2024 Minnesota WIC Training Conference Registration

50 years of WIC

We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Since the opening of the first clinic in 1974, WIC has been committed to improving maternal and child outcomes.  The July WIC 50th Anniversary Partner Toolkit is ready and includes a video WIC & Farmers Markets, and social media graphics, and sample social media post language.  Check out the WIC 50th Anniversary webpage for additional resources.

Training opportunities

WIC Training Conference - speaker spotlight

As we countdown the days until the MN WIC 2024 Training Conference on Sept. 26, we’re highlighting what attendees can expect from the knowledgeable speakers and their presentations.

This week’s speaker spotlight features Bernadette Flores, MPA, RD and Jillian Ondreyka, MPH, RDN, IBCLC. They are presenting Participant-Centered Services: How do you like me now?; Support Staff – How to Rock in Your Role; and Counselors – How to Rock in Your Role during the conference.

Bernadette has worked in, and with, WIC programs for over 25 years and has championed PCS since its inception. Early in her PCS journey, Bernadette supervised one of the first PCS pilot clinics in Arizona (early 2000s), then went on to lead a team of RDs functioning as PCS Mentors for the largest local agency in Arizona before moving on to a non-profit to work with WIC programs across the nation in their PCS initiatives and other efforts. Bernadette recognizes the unique challenges inherent to WIC, and knows that together, with the passionate and dedicated WIC staff working hard every day to serve their participants, those challenges can be overcome. Bernadette is the owner of Flores and Associates, holds a Master of Public Administration and is a Registered Dietitian.

Jillian is a registered dietitian and international board-certified lactation consultant. She has worked in WIC programs at the local agency, state, and federal level for 10 years.  She has experience in designing and implementing many staff trainings ensuring that high-quality nutrition services are delivered. Jillian fell in love with PCS after experiencing the “magic” of participants opening up and discussing behavior change. Jillian championed the implementation of Client Centered Services in Michigan WIC by participating in the development of the CCS Training & Guidebook series. Jillian was the recipient of the inaugural 2023 Advanced CPA & Mentor Award. Jillian is passionate about PCS skills because these tools empower WIC staff to make the best use of limited time and resources by engaging their clients in meaningful conversation to encourage health behavior change. Register for the conference: 2024 Minnesota WIC Training Conference Registration

Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.

The Week Ahead

Check out upcoming trainings and meetings: Local Agency WIC Calendar

State and local agency career corner

Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. This week includes: 

• St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health WIC: 
  • WIC Nutrition Educator
  • WIC Nutrition Educator - Somali Speaking
  • WIC Nutrition Educator - Spanish Speaking

Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.

RESOURCES

WIC Agency Materials Order Form

Medical Formulas Available at Local Agencies

WIC New Staff Training

WIC Information System Training

WIC Weekly Updates (View current and past information by date or topic.)

Local Agency Photo Sharing

Reminder: Local agencies should use WIC grant funds to pay for NWA membership and claim the expense on their monthly claim form/invoice. Log in or set up your account at National WIC Association to access resources and materials. Contact Emily Gilcher at egilcher@nwica.org if you need additional information about setting up your NWA account.

Questions? Email health.wic@state.mn.us.

Feedback? Submit Question and Feedback for the Minnesota WIC Program using the online form. Select Local Agency, followed by the WIC Update topic.

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