Contact Info
MN WIC 2024 Training Conference
We are getting excited as we plan for the MN WIC 2024 Training Conference being held on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
The Minnesota WIC Training Conference brought to you by the Minnesota Department of Health, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program will bring together multiple experts to speak on current public health, nutrition, and breastfeeding topics. The purpose of this event is 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 will offer an excellent opportunity to learn, acquire new skills, and to network and celebrate with all your WIC colleagues from across the state. We will also have a virtual preconference event that staff may watch at their convenience on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Learning Center.
A few details:
- We hope to open registration in early summer.
- A block of rooms will be reserved for WIC staff, we will share details a later date.
- Information on any potential additional funding to support conference travel will be made available later in the year.
- Continuing education credits will be available based on your attendance of sessions.
- MN WIC 2024 Training Conference Letter of Support (PDF)
By June 15, 2024: WIC Coordinators – If you have staff who meet the years of service criteria, please complete WIC and CSFP Service Award Survey 2023-24.
The WIC and CSFP service awards honor individuals with significant years of service working in those programs to improve the nutrition status and health of mothers, infants, and children, and seniors.
Awards will be given to WIC and CSFP staff (including retirees) who have reached their five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40-year anniversary with these programs by Dec. 31, 2024.
- Service may be with one agency or a combination of agencies – including Minnesota local and tribal, state, federal, and WIC/CSFP service in other states.
- Staff who have reached years of service between the years listed above, but did not receive a previous award, are eligible. For example, if a staff person has worked in WIC for 13 years and did not receive the 10-year award, they would be eligible for it at this time.
Award recipients will be acknowledged through a slide show at the WIC conference.
Questions? Contact Tina Breitenbach at tina.breitenbach@state.mn.us.
The MN WIC 2024 Preconference Training Event will be held virtually on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Learning Center. The event will be available this August and will be announced here and in the Wednesday Email when ready for viewing. The event will be open to watch at your convenience for the month leading up to the conference and beyond.
The event will include:
- Two keynotes 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 will be made available!
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).
The conference will take place in person only; there is not a virtual option.
Registration for the Sept 26 in person conference is now open! Registration will occur on Verint. Each staff member must register separately and will receive an email confirmation upon completion. If no confirmation is received, reach out to health.wic@state.mn.us.
Registration: 2024 Minnesota WIC Training Conference Registration
Registration deadline is September 6, 2024.
This conference event is exclusively for Minnesota WIC staff.
Note: The preconference is a separate event that will be held online via the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Learning Center to be watched at your convenience. Watch the Weekly Update and the conference page for updates and availability.
MN WIC 2024 Training Conference Letter of Support (PDF)
LOCAL AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING
Criteria to qualify for the funds:
- Distance traveled – over 60 miles to the conference.
Funds can help pay for:
- Lodging - group rooms are at the per diem rate of $148 plus tax (15.525%).
- Meals – the MMB Commissioners Plan determines the maximums allowed for meal reimbursement. If your agency has lower limits, use those. Agencies with higher limits can only claim up to the amount allowed on the MMB Commissioners Plan. Current meal rate for dinner is $19.00. Conference will include breakfast, lunch, and snack. Meal reimbursement will only be provided for meals outside the conference schedule.
- Mileage – will be reimbursed up to the standard IRS mileage rate of 67 cents per mile.
Funds will be capped at $500 per county, Tribal agency, or CAP agency.
Steps to request funds.
- Complete a Request to Increase Administrative Funds (RIAF - PDF) – Exhibit 2-C form and turn into your consultant no later than June 15, 2024.
- Fill form out based on your estimate for staff attending the conference.
- Agencies will receive an award letter for conference supplemental funding in July.
- Claim your agency’s itemized conference expenses on the September claim form in the “Other” or “Remarks” section.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington - Minneapolis South
7800 Normandale Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55439
We have a room block reserved at DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington for Sept. 25, 2024, through Sept. 27, 2024. Click the link below to reserve your room.
Room Reservation: MDH WIC 2024 Training Conference
The hotel is located off I-494 in Bloomington, a 10-minute shuttle ride from Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport. Mall of America is within seven miles and Downtown Minneapolis attractions like Target Center and US Bank Stadium are 15 minutes away. You can enjoy their pool and whirlpool, fitness center, and a warm DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie at check-in!
The hotel has a charming sit-down restaurant, Aspen and Oak (located at the ground level) and the Daily Brew Cafe (located in the lobby) that features hot and cold items to go.
Babes in arms and Lactation space: MDH WIC greatly encourages and promotes access for all. You may attend the conference with a nursing infant aged below 6 months as long as they can be accommodated on the parent’s lap or in a stroller. We kindly ask you be mindful of other audience members and exit the room as needed should your infant become restless/upset. Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere at the conference! If you prefer privacy or a place to express milk, a lactation room is available.
Prayer room: A Prayer/Meditation Room will be available for conference attendee use.
Accommodations: We are committed to providing equal access to this meeting for all participants. If you have a disability or special need that requires our awareness, please include that when registering for the conference. Please note that we strive to be an inclusive, accessible conference, but not all requests can be guaranteed.
Parking: The hotel has ample free parking for all guests. There are approximately 1,500 parking spaces near the hotel.
Construction: Find current Minnesota Road Conditions and check road construction before you travel.
Visiting the area: If you are spending the night and plan to explore the area, there are many great restaurants, stores, and sites to visit.
- Bloomington, Minnesota Travel and Tourism Website
- Bloomington, Minnesota Visitors Guide
- Bloomington, Minnesota Restaurants
- Mall of America
Activity: The Lake Normandale Loop Trail is a short distance from the hotel or check out MOA Livewell for walking maps of the mall.
We are looking for images to help us celebrate the past 50 years of the WIC program here in Minnesota.
Use the new Local Agency Photo Sharing survey to share pictures from your local agency.
Some ideas include:
- Older items (posters, education cards, etc.) to celebrate 50 years of WIC.
- Your lobby setup or special places in your clinic.
- Group pictures of staff learning or celebration.