Breastfeeding Awareness Month – communication resources
August is National Breastfeeding Month, and WIC has communication resources to help local agencies promote breastfeeding and the important support the WIC program provides to breastfeeding parents.
Consider customizing and sharing the World Breastfeeding Week, National Breastfeeding Month News Release Template 2025 (WORD) with your local news media.
There is also a Breastfeeding Support and Promotion – August 2025 (WORD) social media toolkit to customize and share social media posts on your local agency’s or county’s social media channels.
MN WIC will share content on its Minnesota WIC Instagram and MN WIC Facebook pages. Feel free to interact and share!
Contact Megan Leonard with any questions.
Southwest Health and Human Services retirement news
 We would like to take a moment to congratulate Christina Blomme on her retirement! Christina started working in the Minnesota WIC program in 1992. Over the years, Christina has served hundreds of young families in a kind, caring and culturally sensitive manner. During these years, she also developed a passion for mentoring new staff and assisting them in learning the skills necessary to be successful in the ever-changing world of Public Health and WIC. Amidst all the changes over the years, she has always kept the WIC participant and their needs at the center of her focus. Christina is well known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to pitch in to assist the team. Christina’s last day with Southwest Health and Human Services will be July 31, 2025.
We will miss Christina’s smiling cheerful face around the office but are truly excited for her to begin this new chapter in her life journey. Christina plans to spend more time gardening, going for walks and enjoying time with family.
Local agency staff should talk to their supervisor for approval before registering for training.
Refer to WIC Annual Required Trainings for staff training requirements.
Upcoming trainings
National WIC Association – WIC technology, innovation, and vendor management conference in Minneapolis
Local agency WIC staff have the opportunity to attend this year’s WIC technology, innovation, and vendor management conference held in Minnesota.
Dates: Wednesday, Sept. 3 - Friday, Sept. 5.
Location: Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South
Conference Agenda (PDF)
Registration deadline: August 22
For additional information refer to the National WIC Association website.
Note - Local agencies with NWA membership are eligible for a host state discount registration of $399 per attendee.
WIC foods and shopping experience
Minnesota WIC is offering a live WIC Foods and Shopping Experience training webinar. It will be offered quarterly beginning on Tuesday, April 29. One CPEU credit will be awarded for taking this training. There is no reason to attend additional sessions, as the same information will be presented at every session. These sessions WILL NOT be recorded. Erin Kelsey from the Vendor Team, and Mary Frances Guiney and/or Jayne Thalhuber from the Nutrition Team will be the presenters.
Upcoming dates for the training sessions
On demand trainings
Great Lakes Breastfeeding webinar
Register for a BONUS webinar for July 2025 from Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar "When Systems Fail: Racism, Resistance, and the Power of Community" presented by Shonte' Terhune-Smith, BS, IBCLC. New and existing Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars can be viewed on-demand at glbw.thinkific.com.
The week ahead
| Monday, July 28 |
Tuesday, July 29 |
Wednesday, July 30 |
Thursday, July 31 |
Friday, Aug. 1 |
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DBE Practice Group 9-10 a.m.
Advisory Group Meeting 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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Challenges of Normal Breastfeeding with Nikki Lee, RN, BSN, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC 1-2 p.m.
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WIC Allowed Foods and Shopping Experience Training July 9-10:30 a.m.
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Peer Progress Report & Budget Due
Virtual Summit: Forward Together: Meeting the Moment 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WIC Food Package - Improving Redemption via Data Analysis and Outreach 2-3 p.m.
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National Breastfeeding Month
National WIC Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week
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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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