WIC is ready to go platinum! Last week, our WIC program stood out from the crowd at the 2011 California WIC Association Annual Conference and Trade Show. The 3-day conference, themed Getting Real About Going Platinum, taught attendees – including several of our WIC employees – how to bring platinum services back to EOC.

Each day consisted of workshops with particular focuses on breastfeeding, nutrition, leadership, and community collaboration. During one workshop, Irma Valencia, Local Vendor Liaison (LVL), and a committee of other LVLs presented their LVL Resource Manual, a tool-kit and training guide designed for current and future LVLs.

Several WIC employees were recognized for their outstanding work. Tanzania Grace, WIC Nutrition Assistant, received the California Nutrition Corps Scholarship for her efforts to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). WIC Nutrition Assistant Esther Vasquez and Clinic Supervisor Jackie Silagan were also recognized for their participation in the Academy for Participant-Centered Leadership Program, a program that mentors trainees to develop their leadership skills.

During the annual trade show, our WIC program participated in a Local Agency Sharing showcase. Annette Thornton, WIC Registered Dietitian, showed off EOC’s WIC Tool Book, a pocket-sized reference guide developed by dietitians and used by WIC Nutrition Assistants when screening participants. Augie Blancas, Media / Public Relations Intern, also displayed WIC’s unique marketing and outreach strategies and successes.

Great job WIC for leading the way and bringing platinum services home!