DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 2.005 1 | P a g e Title: Nutrition Education Overview Category: Nutrition and Breastfeeding Education CFR Reference: 246.11 Policy Number: 2.005 Effective Date: 1/1/16 Revised Date: 8/15/23

POLICY STATEMENT: Nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support, must be made available to all WIC participants and their Authorized Representatives. The nutrition education provided will meet the health, cultural, and language needs of the participant and be consistent with the current science and recommendations of recognized national health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. PROCEDURE 1. The Local Agency must establish protocols for conducting nutrition education contacts based on caseload and participant needs. a. At minimum, two nutrition education contacts must be attempted and documented per six-month certification period and four nutrition education contacts per one-year certification period. b. The Local Agency must utilize different delivery methods for hosting and conducting nutrition education in accordance with DC WIC policy 2.007 Nutrition Education Choice. 2. The State Agency must ensure all staff participate in activities to stay current in nutritional sciences and recommendations in accordance with DC WIC policy 4.004 Staff Training. 3. Nutrition education should be participant-centered and emphasize the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and health outcomes. 4. Nutrition education is provided in either a primary or secondary manner: a. Primary nutrition education - education provided at the initial certification, high-risk follow- up, mid-certification, /or subsequent certification appointments. The education is tailored specifically to each participant based on their nutritional risk factors and focuses on the individual’s capacities, strengths, and developmental needs. The CPA/CPPA will document this form of nutrition education contact in the TGIF format: • Thoughts – a summary of the participant or authorized representative’s chief health concern. • Goals – an agreed upon action the participant or authorized representative plans to achieve. The CPA/CPPA should try to establish SMART goals with the participant when possible. • Information – the CPA/CPPA can expand in greater detail any pertinent information relevant to the nutrition assessment and education that occurred. This is the section for the CPA / CPPA to include breastfeeding assessment information. • Follow-Up- list of specific referrals made or areas to discuss at the participant’s next appointment. b. Secondary nutrition education – this manner of education is reserved for low-risk participants and is offered only after a primary nutrition education contact has been made. The content of this type of nutrition education is more generalized and can be reserved for a broader audience of WIC participants. Topics selected must be relevant to participant category and take into consideration individual risk factors or those common to the

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 2.005 2 | P a g e population served in the Local Agency, as appropriate. See DC WIC policy 2.007 Nutrition Education Choice for further details. 5. The Local Agency must consider the health, cultural, and language needs of participants when procuring nutritional education materials (e.g., handouts, recipes cards, etc.). a. The Local Agency may procure from approved vendors listed in attachment 2.005A Nutrition Education Resource List. b. The Local Agency must obtain approval from the State Agency for any nutrition education materials created in-house. REFERENCES 7 CFR 246.11 WIC Policy Memo # 2008-4 FNS WIC Nutrition Service Standard 7 DC WIC policies 2.007 Nutrition Education Choice, 4.004 Staff Training ATTACHMENTS & FORMS DC WIC policy 2.004A VENA and ABCDE Guide DC WIC policy 2.005A Nutrition Education Resource List