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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.
- A letter of support for Local Agency staff to attend this conference will be sent directly to Coordinators.
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.
Coming this summer
Coming this summer
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington - Minneapolis South
7800 Normandale Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55439
We will have a room block reserved at DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington for Sept. 25, 2024, through Sept. 27, 2024. Details will be shared to reserve your spot at a later date.
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!
Coming this summer
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.