August local agency call minutes
Review the WIC Local Agency Conference Call - 8/21/24 (PDF) minutes.
Reminder WIC 50th Anniversary Celebration
RSVP - 50 Years of WIC Celebration
Minnesota WIC logo merchandise - order by Aug. 31
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). 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 items can be shipped directly to you for a fee. This online store will be available until Aug. 31. If you have additional questions reach out to tina.breitenbach@state.mn.us.
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Breastfeeding highlight: Increasing breastfeeding rates over the past 50 years
When the WIC program started in 1974, less than 30% of infants ever breastfed and only 7% of infants were breastfed for 3 months or more. Things have changed a lot since then! Breastfeeding rates have steadily gone up, and the majority of infants now start off breastfeeding. Minnesota WIC data from the last 23 years shows the steady progress that WIC has made to increase breastfeeding initiation amongst all race and ethnicity groups.
This progress is in large part due to the hard work and dedication of you, our WIC staff. Thank you for making the time to build knowledge and creating the space for participants to ask for help. Thank you for always supporting families who want to breastfeed yet face so many challenges. You are making a difference for the children and families of Minnesota, and we appreciate you!
Breastfeeding awards
During Breastfeeding Month, we would like to take the time to thank all of our amazing Minnesota WIC staff for your tireless effort in promoting and supporting breastfeeding for our WIC families.
Minnesota had two premiere breastfeeding award of excellence awardees this year. Itasca County Public Health WIC Program and Carlton County WIC Program.
In addition, many agencies showed great progress towards the Healthy People 2030 goals of continuing to increase breastfeeding initiation and increasing those who have breastfed 12 months or more.
We expect that most Minnesota local WIC agencies will aim to reach the breastfeeding goals set by 2030 or before!
To see Itasca County and Carlton County photos and a list of agencies that stood out in a few key areas please refer to our WIC breastfeeding awards webpage.
Thank you, Minnesota WIC staff, for all you do to promote and support breastfeeding!
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.
Champions training event
Want to have fun while you enhance your participant centered services (PCS) skills and learn to support your team in their PCS efforts? Register now to join Bernadette Flores and Jill Ondreyka in a webinar for Participant Centered Services Champions!
Date: Oct. 30, 8:30- 10 a.m.
Registration link: Participant Centered Services (PCS) Champions’ Webinar #1.
This webinar is appropriate for staff that have been working in WIC for six or more months.
For questions, reach out to your State WIC consultant.
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 Monica Smith, MA, LPC, RD. Monica is presenting I Love What I Do, Wish I Wanted to Go to Work during the conference.
Monica has worked with WIC for over 15 years. She has been a CPA, lactation educator, WIC program supervisor, clinic supervisor, research assistant and consultant. She holds dual licensure as a registered dietitian and licensed professional counselor because she quickly realized when food and feeding go wrong, there is an emotional component that must be addressed before eating dysfunction can be healed. She now provides training to WIC and other nonprofits in the areas of communication, creating safe and sustainable workplaces and the interplay between food, mood, and health. She considers herself to be a staunch fan of all things WIC.
Register for the conference: 2024 Minnesota WIC Training Conference Registration
The FULL conference program is now available on the MN WIC 2024 Training Conference webpage. Check out session details and learn more about the day’s event!
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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:
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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