September local agency call minutes
Review the WIC Local Agency Conference Call (PDF) - Sept. 16 minutes.
No Weekly Update on Sept. 30
There will not be a Weekly Update next week (Sept. 30).
Communication consent added to policy
We have updated Section 1.7: Data Privacy (PDF) to include the new Exhibit 1‑C 1a: Consent for Communication (PDF) and revised Exhibit 1‑C: Authorization for Release of Information (PDF) to ensure consistent language across all example consent forms.
Please review the guidance shared New Text Messaging Documentation (PDF) for instructions on how to implement these updated resources in your local agency procedures.
Join us to hear more about the 2026 MN Coffective Projects!
Curious about the Coffective grants? Interested in project ideas and resources for your local agency?
Join us to hear about five projects funded by the Coffective grants! This year’s projects included emergency breastfeeding kits, outreach to local hospitals, breastfeeding classes, pumping while incarcerated and a community breastfeeding survey.
Topic: Coffective: MN End of Grant Sharing Call
Time: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.
Questions? Email Rosie Pierce-Martin.
World Breastfeeding Week and Breastfeeding Awareness Month activities and 2027 planning
Please complete this survey about World Breastfeeding Week for Local Agencies to share your activities from 2026. We plan to share these back out as a toolkit of ideas of projects and activities to inspire your plans for 2027. Save the date for a webinar to plan for 2027: Thursday, Feb. 25, 2027, from 10-11 a.m.
International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Scholarship and mentorship program – applications close Oct 1
Interested in becoming an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?
IBCLC Mentorship and Scholarship Program applications are now being accepted from local agency WIC staff. This program assists in preparing, studying, and applying for the March 2027 IBCLC exam. Mentorship meetings will take place on two Tuesdays a month at 2:30 p.m.
The mentorship program is an excellent way for staff to receive support and guidance while preparing for the exam. MDH WIC will also be offering IBCLC exam cost scholarships to individuals working in areas of the state that lack lactation support providers.
Applications close Thursday, Oct. 1.
For more information: Local Agency Lactation Continuing Education
Questions? Email Rosie Pierce-Martin.
Low hemoglobin - tips for competent professional authorities
Looking for some additional tips on low hemoglobin? Wondering what to do when hemoglobin is borderline low? The new resource Low Hemoglobin Tips: Nutrition Education & High Risk Follow Up (PDF) is a great reference to help ensure you’re addressing low hemoglobin and completing the appropriate follow up according to Minnesota WIC policy.
This document is already posted to the website. It is located in the Anemia Resources section of the website.
Nutrition education plan
The current nutrition education plan began Oct. 1, 2025, and continues through Sept. 30, 2027. We are nearing the midway point of this plan cycle. This is a good time to revisit your goals and objectives selected for the plan and evaluate your progress.
Nutrition education plan goals
- Nutrition goal: Enhance WIC staff assessment and counseling skills for common nutrition risks.
- Review the Meaningful Minutes - WIC Skills in 10 mini trainings and complete the accompanying worksheets.
- Mini trainings shared in fiscal year 2027 will focus on increasing competent professional authority skills for child feeding/nutrition risk and maternal risk assessment and counseling.
- Breastfeeding goal: Increase breastfeeding exclusively, decrease early cessation of breastfeeding, and improve breastfeeding rates for all Minnesota WIC participants.
- How has your designated breastfeeding expert role deepened or expanded?
- Look at the breastfeeding goal and run the data to see what has changed.
- How have your training needs changed?
- Have you connected with any new community partners?
Contact your state consultant with questions or for support with your nutrition education plan.
Peer breastfeeding program
Welcoming a new peer breastfeeding counselor? The next live orientation for peer counselors is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Please contact Kristen Bricko with the name and email address of your new peer to be added to the list! A TEAMS meeting invite will be sent to the peer directly, a few days prior to the orientation date.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Bricko.
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
I Matter Project keynote session with Dr. Kathryn J. Edin
The I Matter Project team, part of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) WIC Workforce Development Initiative, is welcoming Dr. Kathryn J. Edin for a keynote session on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9:15 a.m.
Dr. Edin is an American sociologist and a professor of sociology and public affairs at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
All WIC staff in agencies across Minnesota are invited to attend this keynote session via Zoom to hear what she has to say about her leadership in work with families in poverty.
Register: I Matter Project Keynote Session with Dr. Kathryn J. Edin
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 case studies.
Continuing education credits are offered. These sessions will not be recorded. Registration is not required to join.
Shopping Experience Training
Minnesota WIC will offer more opportunities to attend a live webinar on WIC Foods and Shopping Experience training. Continuing education credits will be awarded. These sessions WILL NOT be recorded. The same information will be presented at each presentation.
Presenters: Erin Kelsey from the Vendor Team and Mary Frances Guiney from the Nutrition Team.
Upcoming date:
Questions: Reach out to Erin Kelsey.
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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.
Submit job postings using the WIC Job Postings survey.
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