Does your local or State agency want to be featured in a WIC Picks Newsletter or on WIC Works with a WIC 50th celebration story? Contact us with the agency name, location, and the details of the celebration. We’ll follow up if we need more information!
new! The Missouri WIC Association (MWA) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) celebrated WIC’s 50th Anniversary at their biennial state WIC conference November 6-8, 2024 in Branson, MO. MWA and MDHSS held several activities and skits in celebration of WIC’s 50th Anniversary. Over 500 local agency staff attended conference sessions focused on emotional intelligence, safe sleep and breastfeeding, lactation loss, enhancing WIC technology and oral health. James Cross, Director of the Mountain Plains Regional Office (MPRO) Supplemental Food Programs Division (SND) provided updates during a plenary session on modernization efforts, highlighted FNS public-facing dashboards and also gave tribute to WIC’s anniversary.
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new! The Minnesota Department of Health hosted a WIC 50th Anniversary celebration in September. Health champions celebrated Minnesota WIC for its evolution over the years. Topics discussed included implementing peer breastfeeding support, transitioning from paper to online applications, providing remote services during the pandemic, launching the My MN WIC app eight years ago, and the most recent development, piloting online shopping.
(Photo: Minnesota WIC State Director – Kate Franken)
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new! The Wisconsin Department of Public Health hosted a WIC 50th celebration with 200+ local agency staff, state staff, and Midwest regional office staff. Regional Administrator Vista Fletcher provided opening remarks with State Director, Kari Malone. Ms. Fletcher highlighted WIC’s work in increasing WIC participation and their commitment to increasing access by ensuring WIC reaches every county in the state! Midwest Regional Nutritionist, Jana Gach, kicked off the breastfeeding conversation by highlighting the 2024 Breastfeeding Award of Excellence awardees and encouraging local agencies to apply for the 2025 awards.
(Photo: Nutritionist, Jana Gach, State Director, Kari Malone, MW Regional Administrator, Vista Fletcher)
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FNS celebrated WIC’s 50th anniversary in May at a National Office meeting. FNS staff shared reflections on their work and WIC’s vibrant history. The keynote speaker, Justin Simmons, Senior Public Health Nutritionist at the Fairfax County Health Department in Virginia, shared personal stories and experiences from his career in WIC.
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Nebraska Proclamation: In observance of WIC’s 50th anniversary, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed a proclamation declaring June 10, 2024 as WIC Recognition Day!
The Arkansas WIC Program held a 50th Celebration on Monday, July 15th, 2024. Representatives from the Arkansas Department of Health, USDA FNS, and the National WIC Association contributed to the event. Governor Sarah Sanders proclaimed July as WIC Awareness Month, which was read during the celebration. It was a great time learning the history of Arkansas WIC and celebrating the great accomplishments we have achieved!