WIC Statewide Training

The MSDH WIC Program proposes a statewide staff development training to address recruitment and retention efforts and provide necessary training on VENA and health equity to improve the WIC participant (customer) experience. Approximately 250 staff members are expected to attend, including about 42 State Agency staff and 208 Local agency staff. The selected contractor will assist with planning, hosting, and implementing statewide training activities. The proposed aims to impact Program Access and Equity by providing staff training on health equity- focused outreach and best practices. WIC local agency staff are the front line for WIC participants and whether a participant chooses to be certified for WIC or remain a WIC participant depends largely on how they are treated by local agency staff. Increasing local agency staff knowledge of strategies for improving the customer experience may increase recruitment efforts and improve certification and retention rates. The proposed project also aims to Increase WIC Participation and Retention by providing staff with training and resources related to Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment, customer service, and program policy/ procedure updates. Based on feedback from local agency clinic staff, there is an urgent need to provide a collective training across multiple local agencies to ensure understanding. This will allow the State Agency to provide knowledge and practical training. Local agency staff will also have the opportunity to network, which will open lines of communication throughout the state and foster a sense of community.