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April 8, 2026
 IMPORTANT
Reminder: WIC grant applications due
The deadline for completing the 2027-2031 WIC grant application is Friday, April 17, at 4:30 p.m. WIC grant application information is available on the MDH WIC website. Please see the WIC and Peer Grant Q&A for information that has been posted.
Medical assistance and SNAP texts to be delivered Monday, May 4
Minnesota WIC sends quarterly text messages promoting the program to Medical Assistance (MA) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, who qualify for WIC.
A few reminders:
WIC uses lists of new MA and SNAP recipients who are younger than five, are pregnant or are six months postpartum for 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 texts are available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
- There will be two versions of the MA text message, one tailored for pregnant MA enrollees and one for all other MA enrollees. There will be one version of the SNAP text message.
For more details, refer to our quarterly medical assistance and SNAP texting on our WIC Communications and Outreach webpage.
WIC hardware transition reminder
This is another reminder that WIC is transitioning to locally-owned hardware now that our Information System (WINNIE) is browser-based. Information about this transition was previously provided in the December 2025, WIC Hardware memo.
By July all local agencies will need to decide to take over maintenance of their current state provided computers and hardware or to have transitioned to their own hardware.
Any state provided computers or hardware that will not be kept by your agency as part of this transition must be returned to Gainwell by Nov. 1. Refer to the WIC Hardware memo for information about returning hardware.
You can use the Equipment/Supplies Request form to order extra universal port replicators or computers for your agency. At this time, we are NOT offering extra signature pads, scanners, or card readers. Please submit your request for port replicators or computers before April 30.
In June 2026 each agency will receive an equipment inventory for your agency and a Hardware Ownership Acceptance Agreement. At that time, you will then confirm your inventory and sign the agreement to take over responsibility for the hardware. Watch the Weekly Update for more information about the transition.
Help Me Connect MN resource mailing
Help Me Connect MN is nearing its 5th anniversary serving as a statewide resource portal that helps expecting and parenting families find programs in their local communities.
The Help Me Connect team is mailing sample outreach materials in English and Spanish to local WIC agencies to consider displaying in their clinics. The mailings should arrive within the next couple weeks.
Resources are free to order and can be downloaded in Somali and Hmong under the “About” tab on the Help Me Connect MN website.
Question? Contact the team: helpmeconnect@state.mn.us
Meaningful Minutes – new training available
Meaningful Minutes- Typical Infant Growth Patterns, the next video in the training series, is now available at Meaningful Minutes - WIC Skills in 10.
Action steps:
- Watch the short, on-demand video. (To view, scroll down to the Training videos and worksheets section.)
- Check out the resources.
- Discuss the questions on the staff worksheet to enhance learning and build skills!
The Meaningful Minutes series is part of the federal fiscal year 2026-2027 Nutrition Education Plan goal to enhance WIC staff assessment and counseling skills for common nutrition risks.
Time spent viewing the video and discussing the questions can be included in the hours required for annual continuing education for the CPAs Section 4.5: Staff Training (PDF).
For questions, please reach out to Blair Haesly.
2026 state sponsored lactation courses registration is now open
Registration is now open for the 2026 state sponsored lactation courses!
Minnesota WIC program offers continuing education courses at no cost for WIC staff to increase their knowledge of various lactation topics. More information about courses and registration tips are available in the 2026 State Sponsored Lactation Courses (PDF).
Training information is available at MWRTrainings.com. Note that courses fill quickly and space is limited. Early registration is recommended.
Questions? Contact Rosie Pierce-Martin
Closing conversations in Mobile Management
If your agency uses Mobile Management texting, it is important to note that participant text conversations remain active until they are manually closed. Keeping multiple conversations open can make it difficult to quickly identify which text conversations still need attention.
To keep your message list organized, close conversations once no further action is needed. Select End Conversation after responding to or reviewing a participant's text message that does not require follow-up.
 As a best practice, only leave a conversation open if you are expecting a response from the participant. This will ensure active text conversations are easy to identify and manage.
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
Lessons in WIC: Case Studies
Description: Join us for a one-hour virtual session where we will cover real-life scenarios to help WIC CPAs recognize and manage common nutrition concerns. Content will be repeated monthly, with a new topic quarterly. No registration is required; join the session that suits your availability. Sessions will not be recorded.
Join link: Lessons in WIC: Case Studies
Training will be held on the third Thursday of every month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
- The Infant Anemia Case Study is now posted on our Lessons in WIC: Case Studies webpage!
- April- June 2026: Childhood Weight Case Study
- July- Sept. 2026: Common Nutrition Concerns During Pregnancy Case Study
- Oct.- Dec. 2026: Picky Eating Case Study
NOTE: If you plan to bring this training back to your team, we recommend that at least one member of your staff attend the live presentation to support a train-the-trainer approach.
Please see our Lessons in WIC: Case Studies webpage for more information.
Questions? Contact Carole Kelnhofer.
The week ahead
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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