WIC advisory group meeting agenda
The next WIC advisory group meeting will be held virtually on Monday, Jan. 27. Refer to the WIC Advisory Group webpage for the agenda.
Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
Training tools update
As you move into 2025, we would like you to consider a few questions to revive your interest in existing training tools, explore new tools, and be open to sharing what works and doesn’t work for your team!
- When is the last time you checked out the MN WIC training resources available?
- What are your favorite training tools to use?
- How do you engage staff to explore the various training tools on the MN WIC website?
It is a great time to assess continuing education needs for staff! Documents are available in Continuing Education Overview to support your evaluation of staff education. Based on your evaluation, you can determine what trainings are required to further develop skills.
MN WIC program provides many opportunities, some include:
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WIC Local Agencies webpage
- Staff resources, trainings, policies, and reports.
- Search for nutrition education, nutrition assessment, breastfeeding, information system, topic of the month, or participant-centered services
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WIC New Staff Training (NST)
- We have updated some modules and will continue to make changes as needed throughout this year.
- Both new and seasoned staff can benefit from reviewing parts of the NST.
- Seasoned staff can review or read the “Additional Resources” on the NST for continuing education required annually (WIC Annual Required Trainings).
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Important Dates Calendar
- Find continuing education opportunities, due dates, and announcements.
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Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Learning Center
- Search “WIC” to find all our available continuing education opportunities.
Not finding what you need, reach out to your State Consultant or our WIC Training Coordinator, Carole.kelnhofer@state.mn.us. We are here to support and guide as you navigate our resources, and we are open to ideas that can create new tools and tips that can be shared with others.
Minnesota Participant Centered Services (PCS) champions webinar
Register to join Bernadette Flores in part two of the Participant Centered Services (PCS) Champions series. Building on the webinar held in October, we will further develop our PCS skills and explore techniques to help you in assisting other WIC staff in their skill development. Please consider attending even if you didn’t make it to the first webinar!
Date: Jan. 30
Time: 9- 10 a.m.
Registration link: Minnesota PCS Champions Webinar #2
Topics:
- Identify novel techniques to effectively perform WIC assessments and counseling.
- List resources available for PCS Champions.
- Practice PCS skills.
- Ask question and get answers live!
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.
Prerecorded Improving the Health of WIC Participants through Nutrition Education: Practical Applications.
Presenter: Melissa Nelson, MPH, RDN, LD
Description: Join us for an informative webinar focusing on ways that WIC staff can advance the program’s mission of improving the health and well-being of women, infants, and children through individualized nutrition education. Learn how to address nutrition education needs in a thorough and proactive manner and gain valuable insights into efficient techniques, customizing topics and questions to fit individual needs, and how to make the most of available tools. Take advantage of this opportunity to refine your education skills and create a meaningful difference in the lives of WIC participants!
Objectives:
- Describe the purpose and significance of WIC nutrition education.
- Prioritize nutrition education topics based on risk factors, individual needs, and developmental stages.
- Apply anticipatory guidance and motivational interviewing skills to respond effectively to situations where participants decline or show limited interest in nutrition education.
- Utilize available resources and tools available to make nutrition education more engaging and accessible.
Registration: Log into the MDH Learning Center and search for Prerecorded Improving the Health of WIC Participants through Nutrition Education: Practical Applications.
Previous viewer comments:
- Excellent job. Presentation had appropriate amount of information, new content/ideas, was well-paced and organized.
- I really enjoyed the real-life examples of client interactions and phrases we commonly hear. I love having tangible things I can take away from a presentation and this was one of those.
- I like the method of asking the client what works well for them and acknowledging them as the expert. Also gives opportunities for them to share, so we CPAs can share client's successes with other clients and give ideas for what has worked for others.
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:
- Benton County Public Health Public Health Nurse
- Rice County Public Health Nursing Services-WIC Program Registered Nurse - Public Health
- Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health WIC Nutritionist
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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