WIC Enfamil formula substitutions update
January 31 is the last day Enfamil NeuroPro EnfaCare 23 oz/1.44 LB formula will be available for participants to purchase from the store, and it will be removed from the Minnesota WIC Approved Product List (APL). If participants are unable to find EnfaCare formula in your area, local agencies can order product from the state office on the MDH Medical Formula Order Form.
Please reach out to your state WIC consultant if you have questions.
January local agency call minutes
Review the WIC Local Agency Conference Call (PDF) - January 15, 2025
Interested in growing your caseload? Join MNbenefits pilot.
We’re inviting additional local agencies to join the MNbenefits pilot project to help connect more eligible families to WIC. The pilot project adds prompts directing MNbenefits applicants to the WIC online application or website at the end of the application. It also sends text messages as follow ups promoting WIC.
The pilot project began with several counties in October 2024, to enhance connections with WIC and MNbenefits. Those counties are receiving more applications than counties not participating in the pilot. During November and December 2024, a time when participation historically declines, counties not in the pilot had five times the drop in WIC applications (-23.4%) compared to counties participating in the pilot (-4.6%).
What this means for Local WIC agencies that agree to pilot:
- The following strategies will be turned on in your community:
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Application prompts will be integrated in the MNbenefits application flow for applicants to consider other programs and resources like WIC.
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Recommended follow-ups – After the MNbenefits application completion, text messages will prompt applicants to consider WIC program participation.
- Specific applicants will be targeted by using existing questions in the MNbenefits flow to identify and display WIC messaging to households that have:
- A household member who is pregnant.
- A child under the age of 5 (including newborns).
- More WIC eligible families will be directed to the WIC online application in your county.
- MDH WIC will work with you and evaluate the number of additional WIC applications your agency receives from MNbenefits.
- Local agencies in the pilot will provide feedback on this new WIC application route prior to its expansion in Minnesota.
If your agency is interested in being a pilot agency, please contact your state WIC consultant.
Minnesota WIC designated breastfeeding expert practice group
Please join State breastfeeding staff and other WIC lactation professionals across Minnesota WIC for our new designated breastfeeding expert (DBE) practice group! The goal of this group is intended for International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and designated breastfeeding experts (DBEs) looking for an opportunity to connect and network with other lactation colleagues. Agenda items will include case studies, current research, support for discussing designated breastfeeding expert (DBE) challenges. Meetings will be held monthly on the fourth Monday, from 9 -10 a.m. This is a drop-in style group, no need to rsvp or attend all meetings.
The first meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 24: 9 -10 a.m.
Use this link to join the meeting.
Dial in by phone
+1 651-395-7448,,421204730#United States, Minneapolis
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 421 204 730#
If you have any questions reach out to kristen.bricko@state.mn.us or rosie.pierce-martin@state.mn.us.
New breastfeeding resources posted
A new resource is available for troubleshooting pump problems is available on the local agency breast pump page:
When Participants Report Their Pump Is Not Working (PDF)
A resource document for Medication and Mothers Milk online is now posted to the local agency breastfeeding resource page:
Medications and Mothers Milk by Thomas Hale (PDF)
Questions or concerns? Contact Rosie.Pierce-Martin@state.mn.us
Peer breastfeeding program
Have a new peer breastfeeding coordinator or peer counselor? Make sure to mark your calendar for the next round of training.
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Peer coordinator management training: Feb. 11 and 12
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Peer counselor orientation: Mar. 25
If you have any questions or have new peer program staff, please reach out to kristen.bricko@state.mn.us.
Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
Minnesota participant-centered services champions webinar #2
 Last chance to register: Join Bernadette Flores tomorrow morning in part two of the participant centered services (PCS) champions series. Building on the webinar held in October, we will further develop our participant centered services (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 participant centered services (PCS) Champions.
- Practice participant centered services (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.
Participant-centered services regional workshops
 The participant-centered services (PCS) regional training workshops are currently being scheduled. The workshops are designed for competent professional authority (CPA) staff. Peers are welcome to attend but not required. These workshops will allow counseling staff from all experience levels to come together, learn from one another, and practice their techniques. The workshops will cover use of core participant centered services (PCS) skills and facilitate skill application through scenario-based practice. Because participant centered services (PCS) skills are communication skills, these workshops will benefit staff in and out of work!
Below we are sharing a “Save the Date” for each of the eight regional workshops. We encourage each agency to choose the location that is closest. However, staff may attend different locations/dates to allow the clinic to remain open on workshop days. Note: Additional funding is not available to cover travel/lodging costs.
Additional information and registration details will be coming soon! Please contact your state consultant with questions.
2025 PCS Regional Workshops
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Tues.
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Wed.
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Thurs.
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May 13
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rochester
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May 14
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Shakopee
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May 15
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Park or Blaine
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June 24
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Olivia
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June 25
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
St. Cloud
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June 26
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Duluth
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July 22
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fergus Falls
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July 23
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bemidji
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 Monthly champions calls
Participant-centered services (PCS) Champions calls are scheduled to start March 11 and will be held on the second Tuesday of each month from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Bernadette Flores will be leading the calls. These calls are an open and welcoming participant centered services (PCS) forum where together we discuss successes and challenges, work on skills, identify efficiencies, foster team spirit, and celebrate success.
Would you like to connect with other participant centered services (PCS) Champions? Join the calls to network with state and local staff, benefit from the collective expertise of Champions across the state and pose those questions that you have been hesitating to ask elsewhere. No registration required.
PCS Champions are ambassadors of participant centered services (PCS) who support revitalization in a variety of ways, such as:
-Enhance participant centered services (PCS) skills through trainings, readings, and practice.
-Share information with co-workers through informal discussions and staff meetings.
-Communicate with others about barriers staff experience and what support is helpful.
-Mentor coworkers in their participant centered services (PCS) skills.
Note: The Champions calls will be scheduled through the end of 2025. We will ask for feedback on continuing them beyond 2025.
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:
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Anoka County Health & Environmental Services, Associate Heath Education Specialist - Breastfeeding (Full-time WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor)
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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