2024 Sheila Farnan nominees
This year we received five nominations across the state for the Sheila Farnan award. A small committee of four members of the WIC Advisory Group and two representatives from the WIC state agency reviewed all nominations and had the difficult decision to just select one final winner, Wendy O’Leary from Olmsted County. Wendy will be presented with a plaque at the conference.
Each of the five nominees should be extremely honored as their co-workers and colleagues took the time to share incredibly, heartfelt words of praise and accomplishment. We will have a nominee reserved table up front at the WIC conference, please join us in congratulating all of them.
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Brown County Public Health
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WIC Team – Teresa Severson, Rachel Lang, Lisa Compton, Kim Nott, Katelyn Suess
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Anoka County Public Health
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Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health
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Mille Lacs County Community Health
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Olmsted County Public Health Services
- Wendy O’Leary – selected to receive the 2024 Sheila Farnan award.
Equipment available
Anoka County WIC has the following equipment available. It is new, never used.
If interested, contact Kimberly.vickberg@anokacountymn.gov.
Minnesota WIC logo merchandise
If you are interested in purchasing any Minnesota WIC logo merchandise (t-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hats, vests, sweatpants, etc.) you can do so through this website. Twin Pines Imprinting. The idea came from a local agency and is meant to be a fun opportunity for individual purchases. Local agencies may purchase for clinic use (polos, t-shirts, sweatshirts).
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If your agency chooses to place an order, first check in with your consultant and share your proposed order total since there are some contract limitations. Also, these items cannot be used for participant incentives. You can save any shipping and delivery fees by picking up items at the WIC conference on September 26 or you can ship directly to you for a fee. This online store will be available until August 31. If you have additional questions reach out to tina.breitenbach@state.mn.us.
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Betty Hubbard MCH Leadership Award call for nominations
Do you know an outstanding maternal and child health hero?
Minnesota Department of Health and the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force are now accepting nominations for the 2024 Betty Hubbard MCH Leadership Award (Betty Hubbard). The Betty Hubbard Award was established in 1990 to honor and memory of Betty Hubbard, a longtime advocate for health needs of mothers, children, and families.
The Betty Hubbard MCH Leadership Award recognizes individuals or organizations in Minnesota making significant contributions to maternal and child health outcomes. The award is presented in two categories:
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Statewide level: recognizing a nominee’s contributions to maternal and child health with outcomes at a statewide level.
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Community level: recognizing contributions to maternal and child health with outcomes that impact an entire community or a targeted population within a community.
The nomination process consists of three easy steps:
Submission deadline is Sept. 11, 2024.
To learn more about the Betty Hubbard MCH Leadership Award, the nomination process and how to nominate that exceptional person or organization visit: Betty Hubbard MCH Leadership Award or send an email with your questions to health.mch@state.mn.us.
Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding Awareness Month
News release
The Minnesota Department of Health distributed a news release promoting Minnesota Breastfeeding Awareness Month and the MN WIC program.
The news release highlights the TPT Nursing Nest presented by MN WIC and USDA breastfeeding awards. The news release is available online: Award-winning Minnesota WIC program offers Nursing Nest for babies at the State Fair
Local agency spotlights
Meeker-McLeod-Sibley: Hospital partnership and Peer promotion
Meeker McLeod Sibley Community Health Services (MMS) received both the Coeffective and Equity in Lactation grants in 2024.
Working with Coffective, MMS is partnering with local hospitals to offer advanced clinical lactation courses to 6 hospital staff. This project is investing in building lactation professional capacity in a lactation desert area.
Using the Equity in Lactation Grant MMS created baby baskets for families working with the peer breastfeeding program in the tri-county area. The baby baskets encourage face to face meetings with peer counselors and help improve breastfeeding duration rates. The baskets include lactation support supplies for getting started with providing human milk. Since the project began, there has been an increase in the number of folks willing to meet face to face with peers and increased interest in lactation.
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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 August WIC 50th Anniversary Partner Toolkit (PDF) is ready and includes a breastfeeding education video, and social media graphics, and sample social media post language.
Check out the WIC 50th Anniversary webpage for additional resources.
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Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
MN WIC 2024 Preconference Training Event
The MN WIC 2024 Preconference Training Event now available. The full event will be held virtually on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Learning Center. The event will be open to watch at your convenience.
It includes:
- An award ceremony including the Years of Service, Everyday Heroes, and Breastfeeding Achievements.
- Know-before-you-go tips and other information to prepare you for the in-person conference on Thursday, Sept. 26.
- Two keynotes speaker presentations:
- “The Warrior Within” with D.J. Vanas; author, owner of Native Discovery Inc.
- “The Importance of the First 1,000 Days for Child Development” with Dr. Michael Georgieff
- Continuing education credits are available; you will need to view the full event and complete the assessment and evaluation to obtain the certificate.
Registration: Log into the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Learning Center and search for “MN WIC 2024 Preconference Training- WIC STAFF ONLY.”
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:
- Houston County Public Health Nursing Service
- Registered Nurse (PHN Track)
- Public Health Nurse
- Meeker County Public Health Nursing Services Public Health Professional
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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