April 6th
7:00 AM - Registration
7:00 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM - Pre-Conference Workshops
Option 1:
WCS Preceptor Training
Tonia Swartz, RD/LD, Clinical Nutrition Specialist
Texas Department of State Health Services
Local agencies interested in implementing the new WIC Certification Specialist Program should attend. Participants will learn about the program and roles and responsibilities of the preceptor through presentations, as well as have interactive hands-on activities and a panel discussion with clinic staff who have tested the program.
Option 2:
Client Centered Nutrition Education (CCNE) – Resource Toolkit Training
Erica Harris, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Carlos Galvan, BS, Nutrition Education Consultant
Lauren Christian, RD, LD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Jessica Coll, RD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Texas Department of State Health Services
This 3.5 hour session is targeted toward Nutrition Education Coordinators, Training Coordinators, Breastfeeding Coordinators, Directors, and other staff interested in championing efforts to implement more Client Centered Nutrition Education (CCNE). Staff will become familiar with a new client centered resource toolkit and work together to identify ways to implement next steps that are feasible and relevant for their local agency staff and clients. We encourage staff to bring their ideas! At the end of the session staff will be able to:
• Describe contents of the CCNE resource toolkit and identify two resources that are relevant to their agency
• Discuss strategies for motivating staff and proactively addressing staff concerns regarding CCNE
• Plan ways to incorporate CCNE into staff training and nutrition education at their agency
Option 3:
Breastfeeding Using Loving Support to Grow and Glow
Cathy Carothers BLA, IBCLC, RLC, FILCA, Co-Director
Every Mother, Inc.
Learn about the ‘Grow and Glow’ concept in building staff competencies in breastfeeding promotion and support. Key components to the USDA curriculum, Using Loving Support to Grow and Glow in WIC: Breastfeeding Training for Local WIC Staff will be discussed. Participants will be able to identify key teaching methods that help encourage staff retention and buy-in.
11:30 AM – Lunch Break
1:00 PM - Welcoming Remarks
2:00 PM - General Session
A Decade of Accomplishments
State Agency
This session will highlight the many accomplishments that have occurred in the Texas WIC program in the past ten years.
2:45 PM - Break
3:15 PM - General Session
Where We Are Now
State Agency
This session will provide a glimpse into the many activities planned for Texas WIC in the coming years.
4:15 PM - General Session
The Results are in – WIC Wellness Works!
Robin Atwood, EdD, MS, Program Director
Gina Akin, BS, WIC Wellness Works Senior Program Coordinator
The University of Texas at Austin
Take a walk with us on WIC’s journey to wellness, past and future. Jump on board as we ‘stride’ to the future and ‘Walk the World with WIC.’
5:00 PM - Reception with Exhibitors
April 7th
7:30 AM - Breakfast
8:30 AM - Breakout Sessions
Nutrition Education
Let’s Move For Success – Yoga in the Workplace
(Participants must bring a yoga mat or towel and wear comfortable clothes to move in.)
Jaya Zyman-Ponebshek, Yoga Instructor
With the rise in hectic work schedules, there is a need to explore ways to maintain employee’s body and mind health through the practice of yoga in the workplace. Yoga has the ability to reduce the number of sick days in the workplace and recuperate the overall health of people who practice it, helping to lower health care costs. Yoga in the workplace can bring balance to a busy and stressful workday. It further improves flexibility, builds strength and relieves back & shoulder pain.
Yoga is not just about stretching and relaxing; it is a concept or method to attain physical and mental health, well-being and personal growth. It is the practice of putting the body into different positions while retaining controlled breathing. Yoga is a system of healing and self-transformation based in wholeness and unity. In this session, you will learn about what yoga can do for you to improve your health and productivity at work. The instructor will provide a short lecture, followed by a gentle, yet invigorating and comprehensive sequence of poses that will make you feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and relaxed. A question and answer segment to explore your individual needs will also be provided. Please wear comfortable, loose fitted clothes that allow for free movement.
Clinic Services
What You Need to Know about Food Allergies and Intolerance’s, and the New WIC Food Packages
Cathy Plyler, BS, Clinical Nutrition Specialist
Liz Bruns, RD, LD, Nutrition Training Specialist
Texas Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS)
This presentation will cover food allergies and intolerances, and the new WIC soy food and gluten-free cereal food packages. Clinic Services staff will present information that will provide attendees with basic information on immune reactions and sensitivities to food that will help local agency staff to better determine appropriate food packages for participants.
Breastfeeding
Extraordinary Possibilities for Peer Counseling: Top Ten for 2010
Jewell Stremler, CLE, Peer Counselor Coordinator
Texas Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS)
This session will cover breastfeeding promotion practices peer counselors can implement to increase breastfeeding rates. Participants will learn about specific strategies local agency breastfeeding coordinators can implement to enhance peer counselor activities. Promotion practices that enhance mutual referrals and support for clients among community partners will be discussed. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to list breastfeeding promotion practices that create greater team spirit among all local agency staff.
Elective
The Prenatal Promise, The Challenges and Hope of Alcohol Free Pregnancy
Janet Sharkis, MS, Executive Director
Texas Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
Did you know that the number one preventable cause of developmental disabilities that strikes 10% of the children born in Texas each year is FASD? Do you think your clients know? Learn how to create a comfortable, respectful and effective dialogue with your clients around alcohol use and FASD. It may be the most important conversation of their lives.
10:00 AM – Break
10:30 AM - Breakout Sessions
Nutrition Education
Look Who’s Talking – What Texas WIC Staff Say They are Doing!
Robin Atwood, EdD, MS, Program Director
Gina Akin, BS, WIC Wellness Works Senior Program Coordinator
The University of Texas at Austin
Whole or skim, no grain or whole grain, sitting or walking, stressing or screaming? Join the University of Texas at Austin team at this fun and informative session about what Texas WIC staff members are eating, how much they are moving, and how well they deal with stress. What healthy changes have the staff made and what areas still need improvement? How can YOU continue on your journey to wellness?
This session will provide an overview of the results from the WIC Staff Food and Nutrition Survey (pre and post new food package roll out) and provide an opportunity for participants to complete a personal Wellness Lifestyle Inventory. Focus in on your personal strengths and set goals for a healthier YOU.
Clinic Services
Quick WIN and Clinic Efficiencies
Jim Kenton, PMP, Project Manager Team Lead
Ellen Larkin, Policy and Special Projects Coordinator
Policy and Special Projects Coordinator, DSHS
Why Quick WIN? Texas WIC is currently planning the development of a new management information application, WIC Integrated Network Evolution (WINe), with rollout planned in 2013. As Texas WIC participation continues to grow, passing 1,000,000 participants per month in the Summer of 2009, Quick WIN developed to help span this gap (2010 to 2013) and to provide immediate, time-saving functionality for our clinics. This project evolved from a Texas Association of Local WIC Directors wish list of 19 computer-related efficiencies and 13 non-computer policy issues. Quick WIN will be a web-based portal allowing plug and play functionality as modules are prioritized and developed. This session will offer the opportunity to comment on concerns associated with the plan and offer a soundboard for additional ideas that should be considered for our wish list.
Breastfeeding
Role of the Father in Breastfeeding
Jarold Tom Johnston, Midwife, Lactation Consultant
Participants will recall the history of paternal involvement in childbirth and their value to the breastfeeding relationship. The speaker will cover the discussion of the recognition of fathers as equal partners in the breastfeeding and parenting relationships and help identify effective teaching strategies to prepare fathers for their role as breastfeeding coaches.
Elective
Partnering with the Health Care Community (Panel)
Deborah Parnell, BS, Breastfeeding Coordinator/ Lactation Consultant, City of Dallas WIC Program
Brandey Ackerman, RD, Medical Student, TTUHSC – School of Medicine
Elizabeth Sanchez, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Rosana Arruda, MS, BS, Nutritionist Consultant, WIC – Houston Department of Health and Human Services
Does it ever seem that doctors and WIC aren’t on the same page? Despite what seems to be conflicting agendas, at the end of the day, we both have a common goal - the health and well being of the families we serve. This session will offer insight into physician views and perceptions about WIC and ideas to form better relationships with Health Care Providers at both a local and state level. This includes creating ‘physician friendly’ environments and local policies to promote physician observation of the WIC intake and counseling process, and effective communication regarding children with low iron and special formula prescriptions.
12:00 PM - Lunch Break
1:30 PM - Breakout Sessions
Nutrition Education
Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA)
Erica Harris, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Anita Ramos, BS, RD, Training Specialist
Jessica Coll, RD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
This session aims to increase staff confidence in skills to perform Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA). This interactive training will highlight goal-setting, documentation, and avoiding information overload during counseling sessions. At the end of the session staff will be able to:
• List two techniques for helping clients set meaningful goals
• State requirements for completing VENA family documentation tools
• Describe how to offer nutrition education in a client centered manner
• List four tools available to aid local agencies in assessing VENA skills
Clinic Services
What Are Participants Eating? Texas Food and Nutrition Survey
Dr. Peter S. Murano, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Science,
Director, Institute for Obesity Research and Program Evaluation
AgriLIFE Research, Texas A&M University System
This session will describe the TEXFAN survey of WIC participants’ dietary practices for themselves, their infants, and children. TEXFAN surveyed almost 7,000 Texas WIC participants prior to the rollout of the changes in the WIC food package. A second wave of questionnaires will be distributed to Texas WIC clinics in Spring 2010 to examine dietary practices after the rollout. The objectives of this presentation will be to provide descriptions of the questionnaire, demographics of those who completed the surveys, and early results. Attendees will gain an understanding of WIC participants’ consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and other food products prior to the changes in the food package.
Breastfeeding
Protecting Breastfeeding in the Birthplace: Improving Maternity Care through the Texas Ten Step Program & Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative
Kristina Arrieta, MPH, IBCLC, Training Specialist IV
Julie Stagg, MSN, RN, Maternal & Child Health Nurse Consultant
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
During this session, participants will learn about and identify the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Speakers will highlight differences between the Baby Friendly Initiative and the Texas Ten Step Program and discuss how to promote the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in Texas hospitals. Attendees will also learn the importance of the Mother Friendly Worksite program within the Ten Steps.
Electives
Simple Messaging on Health Literacy
Jacquelyn McDonald, PhD, MPH, RD, LD, RN, Senior Lecturer
Texas State University, Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation
The purpose of this session is to acquaint attendees with the basic concepts of health literacy and their application in communicating health information. Discussion focuses on basic verbal and written communications methods as well as on higher literacy skills, such as interactive and critical health literacy. Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate current WIC brochures for literacy level and audience appropriateness, and identify ways to improve effectiveness.
3:00 PM - Break
3:30 PM - Breakout Sessions
Nutrition Education
Client Centered Nutrition Education (CCNE) – Building Skills for the Future
Erica Harris, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Carlos Galvan, BS, Nutrition Education Consultant
Lauren Christian, RD, LD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Jessica Coll, RD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
This session is targeted toward any staff members who teach classes at WIC. It will enable staff to interact with peers from across the state, practice skills, and learn about ways other local agencies are incorporating client centered methods into their nutrition education offerings. We encourage staff to bring their ideas! At the end of the session staff will be able to:
• Describe how CCNE relates to, and builds upon, principles of VENA
• Identify two ways local agencies are implementing client centered methods
• Practice client centered techniques in a safe setting to increase confidence to apply them at their clinic
• List resources for learning about and practicing client centered skills
Clinic Services
Is There a WCS in Your Future?
Tonia Swartz, RD/LD, Clinical Nutrition Specialist, and UT Staff
Texas Department of State Health Services
This session introduces the new WIC Certification Specialist Program. Learn how the program can increase clinic effectiveness, the benefits to WIC participants and clinic staff, and how to implement the program. Take part in discussion, interactive activities, and question and answer sections.
Breastfeeding
2009 Texas WIC Infant Feeding Practice Survey – Results and Recommendations
Tracy Erickson, BS, RD, IBCLC, WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator
Gita G. Mirchandani, PhD, MPH,
Office of Program Decision Support, Family & Community Health Services
Texas Department of State Health Services
Description to Come…
Electives
Partner Up: Collaborating with Food Banks, Extension and SNAP-ed (Panel)
Jenna Anding, PhD, RD, Associate Professor & Associate Department Head
Department of Nutrition & Food Science, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Eric Cooper, BS, Executive Director, San Antonio Food Bank
Marc Wernli, Program Manager, Health and Human Services Commission
Nelda Speller, MS, Extension Agent-EFNEP, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Eric Cooper, Executive Director of the San Antonio Food Bank, will start the session off by discussing the mission of Food Bank’s Fighting Hunger and their organization to serve the community, as well as highlight the key role of the SAFB in fighting hunger in south Texas. The various SAFB programs serving the community will be outlined as well as the role of Food Banks in the outreach and recruitment of WIC participants. Dr. Jenna Anding will then provide an overview of educational programs and outreach activities available to WIC clients through extension. Extension programs such as Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, Better Living for Texans and others that promote health and nutrition will be featured. Deborah Watt and Nelda Leyba Speller will follow up with Extension from a local perspective. Marc Wernli will close out the panel with a discussion on understanding the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) (previously known as food stamps) and explaining the process to get benefits, how to use them and other program benefits. A question and answer section will conclude the session.
April 8th
7:30 AM - Breakfast
8:30 AM - Breakout Sessions
Nutrition Education
High Risk Counseling Sharing Session for the RD
Lauren Christian, RD, LD, Nutrition Education Consultant
Lisa Rankine, RD, Clinic Services Program Coordinator
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
High risk dietitian’s and WIC directors are invited to this guided, facilitated discussion where current practices and ideas will be shared with other WIC high risk RD’s. We’ll also review results from the HRRD survey conducted last October, resources available through the Texas WIC site and learn about the future of hot topics.
Clinic Services
You’re Sweet Enough…Don’t Get Sweeter!
Evangelina T. Villagomez, PhD, APRN, CCRN, CDE, CS
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Description to Come…
Breastfeeding
Colic Solved
Bryan Vartabedian, MD, FAAP, Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine
Fathers are an undervalued resource in breastfeeding, often ignored or treated with indifference. This presentation highlights the unique role of fathers are the primary breastfeeding coach and the mother’s primary care giver upon discharge from the hospital. It provides an insight into the male mind and how to talk to fathers. It also covers effective teaching strategies to bring fathers into the breastfeeding relationship.
Electives
The Better by Breastfeeding: Preventing Obesity from the Start Campaign – Holding Hospitals Accountable
Julie Stagg, MSN, RN, Maternal & Child Health Nurse Consultant
Office of Program Decision Support, Division of Family and Community Health Services,
Tracie Wood, Texas Department of State Health Services
This session will cover how breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk for obesity. Participants learn the role of hospital policies in breastfeeding outcomes and be able to identify strategies they can apply to promote the adoption of best practices supportive of breastfeeding in Texas hospitals.
10:00 AM – Break
10:30 AM - General Session
A Decade of Possibilities
State Agency
Join us as we look at the many possibilities for the next decade.
11:00 AM – Closing Keynote
Stand Back, I’m About to Change
Amy Hendel, Speakers Platform
Registered Physician Assistant, Health Coach
Do you fear change or embrace it? Do you have the internal capacity to change or does it just seem like too big of a challenge? Why is change important? What are the common blocks to change? Does change equal success? Professionals at WIC are the gatekeepers of health to one of the most underserved populations in American healthcare. In order to ask your clients to change – you need to embrace and embody the concept as well. Studies are constantly supporting change in nutrition – so you have to find a way to connect with the WIC participants and motivate them; and to succeed in the workforce – you need to evolve and change as well.
Lifestyle coach, CEO of www.healthgal.com, and motivational speaker Amy Hendel will walk you through the seven stages of change and inspire you to shout out to the world – “Stand back because I am about to change!!!”