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MN WIC 2024 Training Conference
The Minnesota WIC Training Conference sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program brought together multiple experts to speak on current public health, nutrition, and breastfeeding topics. The purpose of this event was to support WIC’s continued commitment to our WIC staff who provide excellent service to over 100,000 participants each month.
The one day/in person event offered staff an excellent opportunity to learn, acquire new skills, and to network and celebrate 50 years of the federal WIC program with WIC colleagues from across the state.
We thank everyone for attending the 2024 conference and taking the time to fill out the evaluation. This helps us to plan for future in-person and virtual training opportunities.
The MN WIC 2024 Preconference (WIC STAFF ONLY) is being held virtually on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Learning Center. The event will be open to watch at your convenience for the month leading up to the conference and beyond.
The event includes:
- Two speaker presentation
- An award ceremony including the Years of Service, Everyday Heroes, and Breastfeeding Achievements.
- Some know-before-you-go tips and information to prepare you for the in-person conference on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
- Continuing education credits are available. You must view all sessions and complete the assessment and evaluation to receive your credits.
Keynote presentations
1. “The Warrior Within” with D.J. Vanas; Author and owner of Native Discovery Inc.
We all want to be brave. We all want to deliver when it matters. In this session, you’ll be inspired to do both. Enduring tough times and turbulent change can bring fearful doubt which can affect our focus, wellness, and the way we serve others. D.J. shares a unique, powerful perspective from Native American culture on what the warrior role is (and isn’t) about and how we can emulate the principles of that role to stay strong to contribute to our tribe and understand that the role of warriors can make us warriors in our roles! He’ll share with you, in a straightforward and entertaining way, how to build a stronger tribe starting with us, navigate change with confidence and clarity, leverage scarce resources for maximum effect, maintain perspective, health (and a sense of humor) and continue to serve at our best even in chaos. Now is the time for warriors to stand up, be strong and lead by example…are you ready?
2. “The importance of the first 1000 days for child development” with Dr. Michael Georgieff.
Our early childhood public health policies have emphasized the first three years of childhood for many decades. More recently, developmental scientists and providers have recognized that events during the first 1000 days, with the clock starting at conception, are critical to building a healthy brain across the lifespan. These events, which are malleable through intervention programs, include nutrition and reduction of toxic stress. By age 3, the human brain has reached 95% of its adult size. There is a golden opportunity to positively influence children’s brain development by concentrating on maternal nutrition starting at conception (and perhaps before) and continuing postnatally through the first 2 to 3 years in the children. This talk discusses the important environmental, and particularly nutritional interventions that can and should be made to optimize brain health across development.
MN WIC 2024 Training Conference Agenda (PDF)
Please click the above link to access the DRAFT conference agenda. Session times, presenters, break timing, and meal times are included (timing is subject to change).
MN WIC 2024 Training Conference FULL Program (PDF)
Please click the link above to learn more about the conference, all of our amazing speakers, and the description and objectives for each presentation.
Speaker handout will include either an outline of the presentation or a view of speaker slides.
Keynote Sessions:
- Iron-Strong Pregnancies, Babies, and Children (PDF)
- Participant Centered Services: How do you like me now? (PDF)
- Up In Smoke: The Potential Health Impact of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Lactation on the Baby (PDF)
Breakouts: Round 1
- How to Rock in Your Role- PCS for Support Staff (PDF)
- Addressing Challenges with Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing in the WIC Population (PDF)
- Diversity Without Adversity: Building Your Cultural Competence (PDF)
- It Takes Two: Engaging Fathers Prenatal and Postpartum (PDF)
Breakouts Round 2
The MN WIC 2024 Training Conference (Recorded Sessions) is a separate event that is available on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Learning Center. There are nine total sessions. Each session can be viewed individually; however, to receive continuing education credits, you must complete all sessions along with the assessment.
Sessions include:
- Iron Strong Pregnancies, Babies, and Children [Dr. Diana B. Cutts, MD]
- Participant-Centered Services: How do you like me now? [Bernadette Flores, MPA, RD & Jillian Ondreyka, MPH, RDN, IBCLC]
- How to Rock your Role- PCS for Support Staff [Bernadette Flores, MPA, RD & Jillian Ondreyka, MPH, RDN, IBCLC]
- Addressing Challenges with Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing in the WIC Population [Amber Valentine-Forston, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, IBCLC, CNT]
- Diversity Without Adversity: Building Your Cultural Competence [Sonia Ellis-Taylor, Senior Learning Consultant at Learning Dynamics]
- How to Rock in Your Role- PCS for Counselors [Bernadette Flores, MPA, RD & Jillian Ondreyka, MPH, RDN, IBCLC]
- Embracing Culture with WIC: Discovering Nutritious WIC Approved Cultural Foods [EatWell Exchange: Ashley Carter, MS, RD, LD & Jasmine Westbrooks-Figaro, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES]
- I Love What I Do, Wish I Wanted to Go to Work [Monica Smith, MA, LPC, RD]
- Up in Smoke: The Potential Health Impact of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Lactation on the Baby [Laurel Wilson, IBCLC, RLC, INHC, CLE, CCCE, CLD]
NOTE: Please reach out to Carole.Kelnhofer@state.mn.us if you have questions about navigating the MDH Learning Center or need to make changes to your current account.
MN WIC 2024 Training Conference Letter of Support (PDF)
LOCAL AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING
Funds were capped at $500 per county, Tribal agency, or CAP agency.
Steps to claim reimbursement:
- Claim your agency’s itemized conference expenses on the September claim form in the “Other” or “Remarks” section.
- Reach out to your State WIC Consultant with questions as needed.