Information system policies
Updated/New Information System Operations policies
Several Information System policies (MOM Chapter 9), previously available in draft form, were created and/or updated to support the new web-based information system (WINNIE). These policies are in final form and ready for implementation:
Completed Infoview report revisions
Each week in the Weekly Update, we will list any Infoview reports that have been revised to ensure new SPIRIT Web IDs do not display in their output. The following report revisions have been completed:
- HIGH RISK AT CERTS & MCAs BY STAFF (High Risk folder)
- CERTIFICATIONS COMPLETED BY ONE STAFF PERSON (SOD) (Agency Management >> Audit/Chart Reviews folder)
- WOMEN WITH UNLINKED OR ONE-WAY LINKED INFANTS (Agency Management >> Audit/Chart Reviews folder)
- NO SIGANTURE AT CERTIFICATION (Agency Management >> Audit/Chart Reviews folder)
- NO NOTE WRITTEN FOR PARTICIPANTS ISSUED BENEFITS (Notes folder)
Feedback needed – perinatal health strategic plan recommendations
The Perinatal Sub-committee and Innovations for Maternal Health Outcomes in Minnesota team have released draft perinatal health strategic plan recommendations. The Perinatal Sub-committee is a subgroup of the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force and is a multidisciplinary, diverse, and community-led committee building a shared vision for perinatal health.
The committee spent the last several months creating a strategic plan on perinatal health. Rather than creating this plan from scratch, the committee built off and aligned existing efforts across state, county, and community level initiatives on perinatal health. Ten reports with over 300 recommendations were reviewed. After rounds of adapting, editing, and prioritization, the committee created 13 recommendations.
We need feedback on these recommendations.
- Either provide feedback on all of the recommendations or pick the topics you have most expertise in.
- Fill out the feedback on perinatal health survey by Dec. 30.
- A $25 incentive is available for completing the survey (more instructions can be found in the survey).
- Your feedback is valued and crucial to ensure that the plan aligns with what our communities need.
Once feedback has been collected, the strategic plan will be revised and shared on the perinatal sub-committee webpage. Additionally, action work groups will be created to implement each recommendation. Reach out to Ramya Palaniappan at ramya.palaniappan@state.mn.us with questions.
WIC food and formula updates
- Tofu brand Mori Nu no longer WIC allowed after Nov. 23
The tofu brand Mori Nu will no longer WIC allowed after Nov. 23 due to the manufacturer undergoing product changes. We want WIC families to get the most from their benefits and unfortunately this will no longer fit that need with their package size changes. Families that have purchased in the last 60 days will be notified via letter. Please note that it will not be removed from the shopping guide until the next update. The APL and My MN WIC App will be updated on November 23. Please reach out to your state consultant with any questions or concerns.
- Enfamil Infant (RTU) 32 ounce formula discontinued and change in WINNIE
Enfamil Infant (RTU) 32 ounce formula is being discontinued. In WINNIE, select Enfamil NeuroPro Infant formula. This will allow a participant to purchase either Enfamil Infant (RTU) 32 ounce (until it is phased out) or Enfamil NeuroPro Infant 32 ounce.
Please inform any participant that receives Enfamil Infant (RTU) 32 ounce formula that they will now see Enfamil (NeuroPro) Infant 32 ounce. formula listed on their benefit and that they can select either Enfamil Infant (RTU) 32 ounce (until it is phased out) or Enfamail (NeuroPro) Infant 32 ounce at the store.
If neither is available, encourage families to call your agency. You can place a direct ship order for Enfamil NeuroPro Infant 32 ounce.
- NeuroPro Gentlease (RTU) 32 ounce formula out of stock
NeuroPro Gentlease (RTU) 32 ounce is currently out of stock. Mead Johnson expects more product in December. Avoid issuing until January 2025.
Get to know wichealth.org 5
Get to know wichealth.org! This week, we are highlighting Staff Resources. Staff Resources contains various educational materials to effectively utilize and promote wichealth.org to clients. One highlight of Staff Resources is photography. In the photography section, there are hundreds of images portraying various WIC related content that are free to download.
Learn about this valuable resource: Get Know wichealth.org-5
Topic of the month: contraceptives and milk making
Many parents will choose to resume contraceptive use after having a new baby. WIC does not provide education about contraceptives; however, parents may ask questions about their use while breastfeeding and chestfeeding. The Contraceptives and Milk Making: Topic of the Month will provide some information on commonly asked questions regarding contraceptive use while breastfeeding and chestfeeding.
Apply for the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence
We are excited to announce that the local agency breastfeeding recognition program, the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence, application period is open! As in past years, the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence will be awarded to local agencies who have operated a peer counselling program for at least one year and have met the criteria for the required core components of the WIC Breastfeeding Model for Peer Counseling.
The WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence will be awarded to local agencies at three levels of performance: Gold, Premiere, and Elite. Being awarded provides your agency with the recognition for all the work being done to support breastfeeding. The application also serves as a great framework/evaluation for the program in totality, reviewing the fundamentals in operating a peer program.
Applicants can find and apply for the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence application on the WIC Works Resource System.
The 2025 application period opened on October 7 and closes on December 13.
Questions about applying? Contact Kristen Bricko at Kristen.bricko@state.mn.us.
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 November Partner Toolkit is not available yet. We'll share as soon as it is.
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.
New Staff Training Plan
The WIC New Staff Training (NST) page has been revised! The page is now laid out in an accordion style so you can breeze through each phase separately or click expand all to scroll through each section. The updates primarily include a shift from HuBERT to WINNIE trainings throughout phases one, two, and four. We will be working to update any modules that have the HuBERT verbiage in the coming weeks, but these should changes not impact learning for new staff members.
If you would prefer the NST in a different format, you may reach out to Carole.Kelnhofer@state.mn.us.
For questions about specific trainings or your agency training needs, please first review the guidance documents and then reach out to your State Coordinator if you need further clarification.
The Week Ahead
Check out upcoming trainings and meetings: Local Agency WIC Calendar
Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage.
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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