Exit Counseling policy
The policy and the materials for Exit Counseling have been updated. The requirement for exit counseling has been expanded to include pregnant participants, in addition to breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding participants who are about to graduate from WIC. See Exit Counseling (PDF) for information on the policy change and how to implement it. Corresponding changes to materials and documentation options are also described.
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:
- STAFF & CLINIC PRODUCTIVITY (Staff Management folder)
- MEDICAL & CONDITION SPECIFIC PROTOCOL FORMULAS & STAFF WHO CREATED RX (Food & Formula folder – NOTE: Only tabs 1-3 were updated since tabs 4-6 are obsolete.)
- PARTICIPANTS ISSUE CVBs FOR $9, $11, or $16.50 (or $10, $12, $18) – BY AGENCY (Benefits >> Agency Management folder)
- INITIAL CONTACTS (Initial Contacts folder)
Reminder - 2025 openings on the Minnesota WIC advisory group
If you’re looking for an opportunity to be more involved on WIC policy issues, priorities and activities consider being a member of our WIC advisory group. As an advisory group member, you represent a group of agencies and will be asked to share the unique perspective, challenges, and concerns of your group with the WIC management team and your colleagues.
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Openings for 2025 include: regional representatives for Northeast, South Central, East Central, Southeast, Southwest, West Central, and the chair position. Also, caseload groups one, four, five and our Tribal agency representative. Terms are three years for regional and caseload representatives and two years for the chair. Current members can take on another term if interested. Meetings are quarterly and primarily virtual.
- More information such as terms, member definitions, roles and responsibilities can be found on our WIC Advisory Group webpage.
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Who is eligible to apply? WIC coordinators. (We encourage you to discuss this with your supervisor to obtain their support and/or approval.)
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How can you apply? If interested, fill out an WIC Advisory Group Application.
- If more than one person applies to represent the group, the WIC coordinators in that group will vote.
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Applications are due Friday, Dec. 13.
Questions about participating? You can contact a current advisory group member or Tina Breitenbach at tina.breitenbach@state.mn.us
App message – TodaysBaby resource
We will once again share an app message promoting the TodaysBaby resource to pregnant WIC participants.
The following My MN WIC app message will go to pregnant participants on Nov. 19 and remain in the message folder until Dec. 19.
Subject: Resource:TodaysBaby
Message: TodaysBaby is an infant care practice research study available to pregnant (due date on or after Feb. 8, 2025) WIC participants. Sign up to get videos and text messages to help you care for your baby.
Hyperlink: https://slone-web.bu.edu/todaysbaby/screeningqrcode2.php?ws=0
TodaysBaby Programs and Research Studies shares 141 pregnant MN WIC participants have enrolled in one of the TodaysBaby research studies.
Nov. 17-23 is Infant Safe Sleep Week in Minnesota
Mark your calendar and get the word out: Nov. 17-23 is Infant Safe Sleep Week in Minnesota! Every year, 50 or more babies in Minnesota die suddenly and unexpectedly. Most of these deaths happen in an unsafe sleep environment, which can often be prevented. Increase awareness of this important public health issue by sharing MDH’s social media posts on MDH Facebook and Minnesota Department of Health Instagram throughout Infant Safe Sleep Week. Contact the infant and child health unit with questions.
Breastfeeding Bonus Award local agency survey
MDH WIC was recently awarded a breastfeeding performance award. A portion of the funds will go toward statewide breastfeeding initiatives. We would like your input on how to use the remaining funds!
Please complete the short, three-question survey below by November 29:
Breastfeeding Bonus Award Survey
This survey has been sent to all Breastfeeding, Peer, and WIC Coordinators. If you have already completed the survey thank you.
These awards recognize state agencies that significantly improved the rate of fully breastfed infants between fiscal year 2022 and 2023. The funds are a one-time award and will not be continued after 2025.
We value your ideas and even if we can’t fund them all, we will keep them in mind for future funding opportunities. Thank you for your time and input on how we can better support breastfeeding!
Get to know wichealth.org
See Get to Know wichealth.org-6 (PDF) to learn about wichealth.org Statistics and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) this week. Data reports provide local agency specific statistics about wichealth.org lesson completions and participant accounts. FAQs answers many commonly asked questions by staff and participants.
Hemoglobin screening – talking points
Earlier this year, the Advisory group shared concerns about inconsistencies in hemoglobin screening practices and increased resistance from families. The group felt additional guidance in problem solving the issues would be helpful. In collaboration with the Minnesota WIC Nutrition Education Workgroup, Hemoglobin Screening – Talking Points (PDF) have been developed. The document includes an array of suggestions for addressing hemoglobin screening challenges. Some topics include: Talking points about the purpose and benefits of the screening; preparing families for the hemoglobin screening; and ways to reduce resistance.
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.
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:
- Nobles County Community Services Licensed/Registered Dietician
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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