WIC Weekly Update

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December 31, 2024

IMPORTANT

Exit counseling

The November 13 weekly update included information about an updated exit counseling policy and corresponding materials. Recently USDA Food and Nutrition Services notified state WIC agencies that the exit counseling policy requirement has been rescinded for all categories of women. Therefore, exit counseling is now considered a best practice and no longer a nutrition education requirement. 

Minnesota WIC will update Section 6.7: Additional Nutrition Education and move the exit counseling information from procedures (required) to guidance.

WIC nutrition and breastfeeding messages positively impacts the health of parents and babies! The Stay Healthy card which covers the exit counseling topics will continue to be available to reinforce the nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion provided during WIC participation. Remember to share the powerful message that folic acid supplementation before future pregnancy can lower the risk of neural tube defects. The March of Dimes Folic Acid Health Action Sheet provides additional information about the benefit of folic acid supplementation. 

HOLIDAYS

Wednesday, Jan. 1 - New Year's Day (State office closed) 

Monday, Jan. 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (State office closed) 

IN THIS ISSUE

• Stay in the know
• 50 years of WIC
• Topic of the month - food pouches
• Training opportunities
• State and local agency career corner
• RESOURCES

Stay in the know

December local agency call minutes

Review the WIC Local Agency Conference Call - 12-18-24 (PDF) - December 18, minutes.

Medical Assistance quarterly texting reminder – Monday, Feb. 5

Minnesota WIC sends quarterly text messages promoting the program to Medical Assistance (MA) recipients, who qualify for WIC.

In 2025, texts will go out the first Monday in February, May, August, and November. 

WIC uses lists of new MA recipients who are younger than five, are pregnant or are six months postpartum for the text outreach efforts. We carefully review the data to make sure outreach texts go to potential WIC participants, not current participants.

• The texts are sent to recipients over five weeks.
• The text is available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
• There will be two versions of the text message.  One tailored for pregnant MA enrollees and one for all other MA enrollees. 

For more details, refer to our quarterly medical assistance texting on our WIC Communications and Outreach webpage.

University of Minnesota hiring project coordinator for paraprofessionals study 

The University of Minnesota is hiring a project coordinator for their new study creating and piloting a training program for WIC paraprofessionals. They are hoping for a start date of late January or early February.

Project coordinator:

• Job ID: 366123 (full time)

Project coordinator (50%-100% time)  

• Job ID: 366125 (part time)

Project coordinator (50% -100% time) 

Note – the position is posted as two separate position options, but it is the same job.

For more details such as job description, key responsibilities, qualifications, pay, and how to apply click on the links provided. 

50 years of WIC

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 December WIC 50th Anniversary Partner Toolkit (PDF) is ready and includes a Life Changing Support YouTube video, social media graphics, and sample social media post language. Reminder: The WIC 50th Anniversary Toolkit (WORD) is available for local agencies to use. Check out the WIC 50th Anniversary webpage for additional resources.

Topic of the month - food pouches

Food pouches are squeezable containers filled with pureed foods like fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients. They are often used as a quick and easy option for feeding young children, especially when families are on the go. While food pouches can be convenient, it is important to use them as part of a balanced approach to feeding. They are just one option for helping children get the nutrition they need.  Food Pouches - Topic of the Month (PDF) will focus on things parents need to know before using food pouches.

Training opportunities

Check out upcoming trainings and meetings: Local Agency WIC Calendar

State and local agency career corner

Find new job opportunities on the WIC Job Postings webpage. 

Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.

RESOURCES

WIC Agency Materials Order Form

Medical Formulas Available at Local Agencies

WIC New Staff Training

WIC Information System Training

WIC Weekly Updates (View current and past information by date or topic.)

Local Agency Photo Sharing

Reminder: Local agencies should use WIC grant funds to pay for NWA membership and claim the expense on their monthly claim form/invoice. Log in or set up your account at National WIC Association to access resources and materials. Contact Emily Gilcher at egilcher@nwica.org if you need additional information about setting up your NWA account.

Questions? Email health.wic@state.mn.us.

Feedback? Submit Question and Feedback for the Minnesota WIC Program using the online form. Select Local Agency, followed by the WIC Update topic.

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