Conferences, Training, and Workshops

Description

This webinar is designed to provide education and clarification to local agencies regarding the WIC policy on breastfeeding.

Objectives

At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the requirements for a breastfeeding-friendly WIC environment.
• Describe the requirements for staff training in breastfeeding promotion and support.
• Define the qualifications and responsibilities of the breastfeeding coordinator and the peer counselor program manager.
• Define the responsibilities of the breastfeeding peer counselor
• Describe required contacts for the breastfeeding peer counselor.
• Describe the requirements for the inventory, issuance and tracking of breastfeeding supplies

Target Audience

WIC Breastfeeding Coordinators and WIC Staff

Registration Information

• July 15, 2013; 1:30-3:30 PM; Online Registration
• July 16, 2013; 9:30-11:30 AM; Online Registration

Description

This is a two-part training required for all new Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Program Managers. The first part is offered via webinar and the second part of this required BFPC Program Managers’ Core Training is being offered in each perinatal region.

Target Audience

New WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Managers

Part 1: Webinar Objectives

The purpose of the webinar is to provide Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Program Managers with knowledge and skills to implement a BFPC Program. At the end of the webinar, the participants will be able to:

• Identify three factors integral to the success of implementing a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Program.
• Describe two ways peer counseling programs can influence breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in the WIC population.
• Explain North Carolina WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program services to WIC participants.
• List two qualifications to seek in recruiting and hiring peer counselors.
• Describe two ways peer counselors should be supported in their job.
• Develop local agency specific strategies to implement a comprehensive peer counselor program.

Webinar Date and Registration

To be announced fall 2013.

Part 2: Regional Training Objectives

The purpose of the Perinatal Region Training is to provide Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Program Managers with knowledge and skills to implement a BFPC Program. At the end of the training, the participants will be able to:

• Complete with accuracy the following North Carolina WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program forms:
• Letter of Agreement
• Prenatal Contact
• Breastfeeding Contact
• Monthly Report
• Describe the purpose of the North Carolina WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program Letter of Agreement.

Regional Training Dates and Locations

To be announced fall 2013.

Regional Training Registration

Registration opens fall 2013.

Description

The Breastfeeding Supplies Competency Training (BSCT) has been developed to assure that North Carolina WIC staff who issue breastfeeding supplies to enrolled participants are knowledgeable about these supplies and capable of issuing them. The Breastfeeding Supplies Competency Training (BSCT) has two parts:

• The first part is an online, faculty guided, self-paced course that helps learners understand how to assemble, use and clean breastfeeding supplies and the situations when the supplies should and should not be used. In addition, they are reminded of their responsibilities under the World Health Organization (WHO) Code, the WIC policies regarding breastfeeding supplies and important topics to teach WIC participants about breastfeeding supplies.
• The second part offers the learners the opportunity to work with their Regional Breastfeeding Coordinators to learn about breastfeeding supplies and practice issuance.

The BSCT has seven units which focus on general information about breastfeeding supplies and each of the types of breastfeeding supplies offered by the North Carolina WIC Program:

• Unit 1: Issuing Breastfeeding Supplies to WIC Participants (general information related to issuing breastfeeding supplies)
• Unit 2: Single-User Manual Breast Pumps
• Unit 3: Single-User Electric Breast Pumps
• Unit 4: Multi-User Breast Pumps
• Unit 5: Breast Pads and Breast Shells
• Unit 6: Nipple Shields
• Unit 7: Supplemental Feeding Devices

Target Audience

WIC staff who issue breastfeeding supplies. There will be space in each offering of the BSCT for at least six (6) WIC staff members from each Perinatal Region.

Dates / Locations

To be announced fall 2013.

Registration

Registration opens fall 2013.

Description

This five-day or six-day core training session is required for all new Breastfeeding Peer Counselors. At the end of the sessions, participants will be able to:

• Know their two primary roles in the WIC program
• Identify three ways breastfeeding benefits infants, mothers and society
• Name two common breastfeeding myths
• List two exceptions to breastfeeding
• Identify two ways to communicate effectively with WIC mothers by telephone
• Demonstrate the ability to use open-ended questions and affirmation appropriately in counseling mothers about breastfeeding
• Identify three components necessary for a breastfeeding mother to make a healthy milk supply
• Demonstrate the proper technique for positioning the baby at the breast
• List three ways to know a baby is taking in a sufficient amount of breast milk
• Identify situations in which the peer counselor should refer
• List three causes of and three ways to manage sore nipples, breast refusal and slow weight gain in infants
• Name two common consequences of unresolved breastfeeding issues
• Formulate an open-ended question to ask a mother at each of the three trimesters of her pregnancy
• Name at least two breast changes that help prepare a mother for breastfeeding
• List four things new mothers commonly deal with when breastfeeding during the first two weeks that may lead to early weaning
• Describe typical growth for babies during the first six months
• List three causes of low milk supply and three management techniques to remedy this difficulty
• List two ways to know a baby is ready to begin solid foods
• List two ways to assist mothers through the weaning process
• Name two common issues that arise when nursing an older baby
• Name two ways to help a mother continue breastfeeding during separation from baby
• Name three ways to help a mother maintain milk supply when separated from her baby
• Identify how long breast milk can be stored
• Explain why it is important to keep a mother’s information confidential
• List two strategies for dealing with misinformation given to WIC mothers
• Complete the peer counselor contact forms correctly

Target Audience

• Breastfeeding Peer Counselors

Dates / Locations

• July 11, 12, 24, 25, 26 and 29, 2013 in Perinatal Region IV – Raleigh, NC
• August 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28, 2013 in Perinatal Region III – Charlotte, NC
• August 25, 26 and September 5 and 6, 2013 in Perinatal Region VI – Greenville, NC
• September 11, 12, 13, 25 and 26, 2013 in Perinatal Region I – Asheville, NC

Registration

• Agenda (PDF, 27 KB)
• Registration Form (PDF, 189 KB)

Description

This training is a continuing education opportunity for WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors.

Target Audience

• WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors and Managers

Dates

• Friday, August 9, 2013 in Perinatal Region I – Asheville, NC
• Tuesday, August 6, 2013 in Perinatal Region II – Winston-Salem, NC
• Thursday, August 29, 2013 in Perinatal Region III – Charlotte, NC
• Tuesday, August 13, 2013 in Perinatal Region IV – Raleigh, NC
• Friday, August 23, 2013 in Perinatal Region V – Lillington, NC
• Friday, August 9, 2013 in Perinatal Region VI – Greenville, NC

Registration

• Registration Form (PDF, 192 KB)

Description

This course focuses on skills needed for providing basic breastfeeding management and support - including prenatal and postpartum counseling and management of common concerns and clinical problems. The training includes five days of didactic instruction, two days of clinical rotations in hospital and public health settings, and an independent study assignment.

Date(s) and Location(s)

• March 5-7, 2013 and June 5-6, 2013 (classroom), 2 additional clinical days (to be scheduled on day one of the course)
• August 27-29, 2013 and December 4-5, 2013 (classroom), 2 additional clinical days (to be scheduled on day one of the course)
• Winston-Salem, NC

Registration

• The registration form and additional information are available on the Northwest AHEC site.

Description

The NC Division of Public Health has developed the NC Maternity Center Breastfeeding-Friendly Designation (NC BFMCD) program to recognize those maternity centers that have taken steps to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in their organization. A five star system has been developed. A star is awarded for every two steps achieved in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Baby Friendly USA. The North Carolina program encourages maternity centers across the state to promote and support breastfeeding one step at a time.

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the NC Breastfeeding-Friendly Maternity Center Designation Program
• Summarize the benefits of participating in this voluntary program
• Describe the application process
• Identify where to get additional information on the program

Target Audience

• Maternity Center Administrators and Other Interested Parties

Date(s) and Registration

• Tuesday, June 6, 2013; 2:00 – 3:00 PM; Online Registration
• Webinar Instructions (PDF, 81 KB)

Description

This webinar is designed to instruct local health agency staff on how to successfully complete the WIC Program Self-Assessment Tool. At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Complete the WIC Program Local Agency Self-Assessment Tool.
• State the process and corresponding timeframes for completing the self-assessment.

Target Audience

• Local WIC Directors, Lead Nutritionists, and Lead Clerks

Date(s)

• July 12, 2013: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM; Online Registration

Additional Information

• Webinar Instructions (PDF, 81 KB)

Description

This 90-minute webinar is orientation for local agencies interested in adding wichealth.org as an option for second nutrition education contacts of low-risk clients. At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify staff and client benefits to using wichealth.org.
• Prepare an agency specific implementation plan for wichealth.org.
• Arrange for an agency specific email address to receive certificates of completion, if desired.

Target Audience

• Nutrition/WIC Directors and Nutritionists

Date(s) and Registration

• June 12, 2013; 2:00 – 3:30 PM; Online Registration
• Webinar Instructions (PDF, 80 KB)

Description

An introductory course for new staff. It is best taken after at least three months of employment with the WIC Program, although all staff employed less than fifteen months may enroll. The course agenda is organized to allow for practice sessions most relevant to staff’s responsibilities.

Dates

TBD

Starting in August, the Nutrition Services Branch will conduct monthly webinars to offer guidance on what your agency can do in the weeks leading up to rollout, during the week(s) staff are at training and in the weeks immediately following rollout to ensure a smooth implementation of Crossroads.

Additional details will be posted in late spring.

Description

The Crossroads system allows WIC staff to view daily appointments and walk-ins and to track the flow of families through clinic. This webinar will describe the Clinic Family Workflow Dashboard set up and function, and present two options for clinic flow of certification appointments.

Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe how the Clinic Family Workflow Dashboard is set up.
• List two types of information available on the Dashboard.
• Determine if changes to your current clinic flow may be required.

Target Audience

All WIC staff

Dates and Registration

• May 21, 2013; 1:30 – 3:00 PM; Online Registration
• May 22, 2013; 10:00 – 11:30 AM; Online Registration
• May 23, 2013; 3:00 – 4:30 PM; Online Registration

Additional Information

Webinar Instructions (PDF, 81 KB)

Description

This webinar will describe some policy and process changes that will be needed when local agencies transition from HSIS to Crossroads. Local agency strategies to prepare for these changes will also be discussed.

Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe at least two policy or process changes that will occur with Crossroads rollout
• Identify existing local agency policies that will need revision
• Make a plan for developing or revising local agency policies and processes as necessary with the implementation of Crossroads.

Target Audience

All WIC Staff

Dates and Registration

• June 18, 2013; 1:30 – 3:00 PM; Online Registration
• June 19, 2013; 10:00 – 11:30 AM; Online Registration
• June 20, 2013; 3:00 – 4:30 PM; Online Registration

Additional Information

Webinar Instructions (PDF, 81 KB)

Description

Vendor management is an essential component of the WIC program established to provide oversight of WIC authorized vendors. This is accomplished by instructing vendors regarding WIC vendor regulations, policies and procedures and subsequently, ensuring compliance. This face-to-face training session is for all local agency staff that oversees or conducts vendor management activities. Workshop participants will learn the fundamentals of vendor management policies and procedures, which govern vendor activities. Participants will also learn about renewal requirements, replacement of food instruments and cash-value vouchers for vendors as well as the vendor management component of the new Crossroads computer system.

Objectives

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

• Describe Federal and State violations and corresponding sanctions for non-compliance with WIC program guidelines
• Explain inventory requirements for WIC approved foods
• Describe the process for vendor application, maintaining vendor status, and vendor disqualification
• Teach vendors how to properly transact cash-value vouchers and food instruments
• Correctly guide local vendors in completing all required paperwork
• Monitor vendors for compliance with program rules by using the updated Vendor Monitoring Report form (DHHS 2925)
• Correctly determine and replace food instruments and cash-value vouchers when requested
• Use the vendor training modules to instruct vendors during annual training
• Describe the vendor management component of the new Crossroads computer system.

Target Audience

All local agency staff that conducts vendor management activities.

Dates and Registration

• June 4, 2013; 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM in Raleigh, NC
• June 6, 2013; 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM in New Bern, NC
• June 11, 2013; 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM in Asheville, NC

Agenda and Registration

• Agenda (PDF, 87 KB)
• Registration Form (PDF, 51 KB)

Overall Description

Maternal Nutrition and Wellness is a new self-paced, faculty guided, online course offered by the Nutrition Services Branch in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that provides an opportunity for North Carolina Public Health Nutritionists to explore women’s health during preconception, pregnancy and lactation.  It is a Commission on Dietetic Registration CPE Level 1 Course with goals to improve nutrition assessment and counseling skills in maternal health, enhance core knowledge in basic nutrition and management of specific conditions, provide updated resource lists and tools to connect clients with community resources, and improve nutrition status of communities served by course participants.

The ten week course consists of three modules: Module 1 Preventing Barriers to a Healthy Pregnancy, Module 2 Healthy Pregnancy and Lactation, and Module 3 Managing Diseases and Conditions During and After Pregnancy.  Each Module includes presentations that can be viewed online in various formats, handouts and activities to reinforce course material, and resources and references for further information.

Target Audience

Public health nutritionists and other dietetic professionals working in Local Health Agencies throughout North Carolina; New employees in public health nutrition, nutritionists who are new to maternal health and wellness, and those who want to broaden their maternal health and wellness knowledge base.

Module Descriptions

Module 1 – Preventing Barriers to a Healthy Pregnancy

Module 1 focuses on the care of a woman before she becomes pregnant as well as any health disparities that may influence pregnancy outcomes.  Module 1 consists of the following two units:

• Unit 1: Nutrition Considerations in Preconception Care
• Unit 2: Social and Psychological Determinants of Maternal Health

Module 2 – Healthy Pregnancy and Lactation

Module 2 covers general nutrition care and specific nutrition concerns during pregnancy, as well as lactation.  Module 2 consists of the following three units:

• Unit 1: Expectations of Pregnancy and Nutrition Recommendations
• Unit 2: Special Health and Nutrition Considerations during Pregnancy
• Unit 3: Health and Nutrition Considerations During Lactation

Module 3 - Managing Diseases and Conditions During and After Pregnancy

Module 3 focuses on management of weight status, diabetes, and pregnant and lactating women with food allergies and celiac disease. Module 3 consists of the following three units:

• Unit 1: Over and Underweight
• Unit 2: Diabetes
• Unit 3: Food Allergy, Intolerances and Other Nutrient Concerns

Date(s), Registration

• June 10, 2013 - August 2, 2013; Online Registration

Description

The MCH Navigator project was launched by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau in early 2010 to address the professional development needs of the field. As budget reductions are shrinking funding for training-related time, cost, and travel, online resources are an effective alternative for continuing education.

The MCH Navigator is a centralized portal for pursuing continuous learning in maternal and child health and is designed to help emerging and established MCH professionals map professional growth pathways, locating:

• Where they are now – whether a student or an established professional
• Where they want to be – identifying the skills and competencies necessary for organizational and personal goals
• The best route to get there – linking to targeted and effective learning resources.

While the complete MCH Navigator learning management system is still being developed, MCHB has launched a website to describe the larger project and make learning opportunities available to MCH professionals as early as possible.

Overall Description

The Pediatric Nutrition Course provides a unique opportunity for those interested in expanding pediatric nutrition knowledge and skills in a self-paced, faculty guided, online format.  The course consists of three individual modules:  Module 1 Nutrition Assessment, Module 2 Basic Nutrition, and Module 3 Nutrition for Specific Conditions.  Each module is offered separately, with continuing education credits available.

Target Audience

• Public health nutritionists and other dietetic professionals working in Local Health Agencies throughout North Carolina.
• New employees in public health nutrition, nutritionists who are new to pediatrics, and those who want to broaden their pediatric knowledge base.

Module Descriptions

Module 1 - Nutrition Assessment

Module 1 is a CPE Level 1 training from the Commission on Dietetic Registration and designed to improve skills in the area of nutrition assessment by building competence in obtaining and evaluating indicators of nutritional status within the pediatric population. This Module is offered over ten weeks. Module 1 consists of the following six units:

• Unit 1: Anthropometrics
• Unit 2: Biochemical
• Unit 3: Clinical
• Unit 4: Food and Nutrition History
• Unit 5: Ecosocial Factors
• Unit 6: Psychosocial Factors

Module 2 - Basic Nutrition

Module 2 is a CPE Level 1 training from the Commission of Dietetic Registration and designed to reinforce the fundamentals of nutrition assessment and nutrition monitoring/evaluation, and to build competence in using the nutrition care process within the pediatric population. This Module is offered over a three month period. Module 2 consists of the following 9 units:

• Unit 1: Nutrition Education
• Unit 2: Infant and Toddler Nutrition
• Unit 3: Child Nutrition
• Unit 4: Adolescent nutrition
• Unit 5: Formulas
• Unit 6: Anemia
• Unit 7: Physical Activity
• Unit 8: Elevated Blood Lead
• Unit 9: Sports Nutrition

Module 3 - Nutrition for Specific Conditions

Module 3 is a CPE Level 2 training from the Commission of Dietetic Registration with an emphasis on pediatric nutrition care for those children diagnosed with a chronic disease or condition. Module 3 has a rolling admission over a three month period and units can be taken individually, with each unit providing continuing education credit. Stand-alone units in Module 3 include:

• Unit 1: Inadequate Growth and Failure to Thrive
• Unit 2: Childhood Chronic Respiratory Conditions
• Unit 3: Disordered Eating in Adolescents
• Unit 4: Child and Adolescent Obesity
• Unit 5: Congenital Heart Disease
• Unit 6: Common GI Problems
• Unit 7: Food Allergies
• Unit 8: Type 1 Diabetes
• Unit 9: Type 2 Diabetes
• Unit 10: Children with Special Needs
• Unit 11: Dyslipidemia

Date(s), Location(s), Registration

Module 1 - Nutrition Assessment

• February 11, 2013 - April 19, 2013
• Registration has closed.

Module 2 - Basic Nutrition

• May 6, 2013 - July 12, 2013
• Registration has closed.

Module 3 - Nutrition for Specific Conditions

• Offered July 2013
• Registration opens June 2013.

Description

The purpose of the online training is to provide health care providers and public health professionals in the United States with expertise on using and interpreting the growth charts. There are seven sections in this course including the following:

• Recommendations and Rationale for Using the WHO Growth Charts in the United States.
• Creating the WHO Growth Standard for Infants and Young Children.
• Comparing Methodologies Used to Develop WHO and CDC Growth Charts for Children Birth to 2 Years of Age.
• Breastfeeding as the Norm for Infant Feeding.
• Using the WHO Growth Standard Charts.
• Summary.
• Case Examples.

Self-assessment questions are included in each section, and five case studies provide scenarios to guide interpretation of the growth charts. The course can be completed in 45 minutes.

CDC's Online Course

Description

The Center of Excellence for Training and Research Translation (Center TRT) provides public health professionals with on-going training opportunities in nutrition, physical activity, and disease prevention. The center offers in-person trainings, as well as web-based trainings and webinars. Housed in the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Center TRT works to enhance the public impact of their programs to prevent obesity and other chronic diseases.

Description

The UNC Center for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP) is dedicated to improving the capacity of public health agencies and their staff through research, educational programs, and technical assistance. The UNC CPHP training website offers free, short, internet-based training developed by CPHP on public health preparedness topics.

Of particular interest to WIC staff may be the Introduction to Cultural Competency and Title VI training. This on-line module discusses the issue of cultural competency and the impact of cultural competency requirements and national Title VI legislation on the delivery of public health and healthcare services in the United States. Given the ever-increasing diversity of the United States population, it is critical that public health practitioners consider the role of cultural, social, and behavioral factors impacting the accessibility, availability, acceptability, and delivery of public health services.