July local agency call minutes
Review the WIC Local Agency Conference Call (PDF) - July 15 minutes.
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Breastfeeding Awareness Month is in August. There is an updated social media toolkit to help local agencies celebrate the month and promote breastfeeding!
Breastfeeding Support and Promotion – August 2026 (WORD)
World Breastfeeding Week, National Breastfeeding Month News Release Template 2026 (WORD)
Visit the WIC Communications and Outreach webpage for the most updated information.
Peer counselor office hours - Starting Thursday, Aug. 6
Have a question? Looking for ideas? Want to connect with other peer counselors across the state? Join the State Peer Breastfeeding Coordinator Kristen Bricko for peer counselor office hours on the first Thursday of each month from 10-10:30 a.m., starting August 6.
This is an informal opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, discuss challenging situations, and learn from one another. Whether you stay for the full 30 minutes or just drop in for a few minutes, you're welcome to come and go as your schedule allows.
We hope you'll join us to connect, collaborate, and support one another—we look forward to seeing you there!
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Meeting ID: 248 189 552 579 895
Passcode: xQ9zF7HM
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
Reminder: Shopping Experience Training
Join us next Thursday for a live webinar training on the WIC Foods and Shopping Experience. Your next opportunity to attend the same course will come in October. See available dates below. Continuing education credits will be awarded. The sessions WILL NOT be recorded.
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Presenters: Erin Kelsey from the Vendor Team and Mary Frances Guiney from the Nutrition Team.
Upcoming dates:
Questions: Reach out to Erin Kelsey.
Case series catch-up week
Save the date on your calendar! If you missed joining one of the Lessons in WIC: Case Studies presented this year, you will have one last chance. We will be hosting a case study series catch-up week in the last week of October, where we will present each of the four Lessons in WIC: Case Studies. These sessions will not be recorded. Continuing education credits are offered. Registration is not required to join.
Case Study Series Catch-up Week:
Questions: Contact Carole Kelnhofer.
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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:
- Isanti County Public Health Services Public Health Nurse
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
New resource helps protect infants under 6 months
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has launched a new educational resource to help parents and caregivers identify and prevent physical abuse in infants aged 6 months and younger. The new fact sheet and webpage focus on recognizing critical warning signs of physical abuse such as bruising, facial injuries, or signs of abusive head trauma, and emphasize the importance of seeking immediate medical attention.
Providers are encouraged to share the fact sheet during an initial well-baby visit. Additional information and the fact sheet can be found on the Identifying Signs of Physical Abuse in Babies webpage. The fact sheet is available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish: Identifying Signs of Physical Abuse in Babies.
Stay safe when it’s hot
Our bodies have to work harder to maintain a normal temperature during extreme heat. Heat-related illnesses are preventable if we take steps to protect ourselves and each other.
- Stay hydrated. Don't wait until you are thirsty to hydrate. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
- Stay cool. Move to a shaded area, an air-conditioned space, or other cool place. Limit your time outdoors as much as possible and take frequent breaks if you must be outside.
- Stay informed. Follow local weather and news reports. Check your HeatRisk | National Weather Service.
For more tips, see:
Extreme Heat: Tips to Keep Kids Safe When Temperatures Soar
Choose Water for Healthy Hydration
Heat and Pregnancy
Outdoor air guidance
The Minnesota outdoor air quality guidance for schools and childcare webpage provide information to help protect children. MDH developed an outdoor activity guidance linked to the Air Quality Index to share when and how to adjust outdoor activities when air pollution levels are elevated, such as when wildfire smoke moves into the area.
Unhealthy air can harm everyone, including those with asthma, heart or lung disease, or older adults, children and youth are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing, and they breathe in more air than adults for their body weight. Check current air quality conditions.
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