July local agency call minutes
Review the WIC Local Agency Conference Call (PDF)- July 17 minutes.
WIC grant funding letters sent to administrators
Funding letters were sent to administrators on July 17. The letters address additional WIC grant funds that were previously mentioned during the June local agency call. During that call, Kate shared this funding is possible from a request for April reallocation supplemental funding to help cover WIC program expenses. Funds were allocated to local agencies based on an average of the most recent closed-out quarter of monthly participation to help provide more funding to agencies that have grown their caseload.
The letter sent to administrators highlighted the following:
- In review of Minnesota’s actual federal WIC funding received for FFY 2024, we have determined we can provide some additional WIC grant funds. This additional funding is based on participation from December 2023 – February 2024. These grant funds will reduce the amount of grant funding available for WIC final reimbursement payments in February 2025. Although we can provide funding in advance of the federal closeout this year, there is no guarantee we will be able to offer this annually.
- The updated additional funding level is indicated on the Minnesota WIC Program Year to Date Caseload and Funding Information spreadsheet on our website and the spreadsheet was also sent in the email to administrators.
Last chance! Register for the Level 4 DBE in-person Skills Day
Registration closes July 25. Register now! For information on available courses and registration visit: MWRTrainings.com
Join us in St. Cloud on August 15 for a full day of hands-on training! Work with state staff and other local WIC staff to enhance your learning. Open to new DBEs and those who’ve already completed the training.
- Date: August 15
- Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Location: MDH St. Cloud Office 4140 Thielman Lane, Suite 101, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Must complete a half day of online training on August 8.
Agenda is available on the WIC Lactation Continuing Education Page
Questions? Email Rosie.Pierce-Martin@state.mn.us
Breastfeeding Awareness Month - social media toolkit
The Breastfeeding Support and Promotion - August 2024 (WORD) is now available for local agencies to use to promote World Breastfeeding Week and Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
The document is posted to the WIC Communications and Outreach webpage. We will post a news release template for local agencies to use throughout the month of August. Local agencies can check that page for updates or watch for an update in the July 31 Weekly Update.
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.
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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 is Amber Valentine-Forston, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, IBCLC, CNT. Amber is presenting Addressing Challenges with Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing in the WIC Population during the conference.
Amber Valentine Forston is a speech-language pathologist who graduated from the University of Kentucky with her MS in communication disorders. She is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders and an international board-certified lactation consultant, as well as a certified neonatal therapist. She worked for Baptist Health Systems, Inc for eight years before moving to Florida where she worked for Wolfsons Children’s Hospital and Mayo Florida. She is now back in Kentucky working for Baptist Health Lexington. She has experience in adults and pediatrics with feeding and swallowing difficulties including bedside swallow evaluations, Modified Barium Swallow studies, FEES, and pediatric feeding evaluations including NICU. She has experience with head and neck cancer patient including evaluation and treatment of swallowing difficulties, PMV use, and voice after total laryngectomy including TEP. She has provided guest lectures for the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, and the University of Louisville on feeding and swallowing topics. She has presented at the hospital, local, state, national, and international levels on pediatric feeding/swallowing and breastfeeding.
Register for the conference: 2024 Minnesota WIC Training Conference Registration
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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
Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. This week includes:
- Carlton County WIC Program Public Health Nurse - FHV/WIC
- Dakota County Public Health Department Intermittent Registered Dietitian (On-Call)
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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