GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL NS Strong4Life CPA Staff Observations Policy No. NS- 220.06 Effective Date: March 1, 2019

No. of Pages: 2 Page 1 of 2

Policy Local agencies are required to have at least one designated Strong4Life Champion. Strong4Life champions must be trained prior to beginning observations. Local agency Strong4Life Champion(s) are required to complete state assigned number of Strong4Life Observations monthly. Strong4Life observations are in addition to the yearly CPA annual skills assessment See Staff Observation Policy.

Local agencies with more than one designated Strong4Life Champion must: • Assign a minimum of one observation to each designated local agency Strong4Life Champion per month • Complete at least the minimum number of Strong4Life observations per month as assigned by the State WIC Office

Purpose To improve local agency CPA motivational interviewing counseling skills. Procedures Local agency Strong4Life Champion must:

I. Document monthly Strong4Life CPA observations using the Strong4Life WIC Champion Observation Form.

II. Complete observations of Georgia WIC certification, high-risk or low-risk secondary education visits.

III. Randomly select CPAs, including managers and supervisors providing direct client services.

IV. Enter observations within two (2) working days of the observation into the Redcap Database https://redcap.choa.org/redcap/surveys/?s=KTTHPX8X9R.

V. Request additional Strong4Life Champions to be trained by contacting the Program Operations and Nutrition Services office.

Authority Georgia WIC Program Policy

GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL NS Strong4Life CPA Staff Observations Policy No. NS- 220.06 Effective Date: March 1, 2019

No. of Pages: 2 Page 2 of 2

Definitions/Supporting Information Competent Professional Authority (CPA) – An individual on the local agency staff who is authorized to determine nutritional risk and prescribe supplemental foods. The following individuals may be authorized and trained to serve as a CPA: physicians, nutritionists (bachelor’s or master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition), registered dietitians, licensed dietitians, registered nurses, and physician assistants (certified by the National Committee on certification of Physicians Assistants or certified by the State medical certifying authority), or State or local medically trained health officials. Strong4Life Champion – A CPA that is designated by the local agency and trained to conduct quality assurance and quality improvement activities relating to motivational interviewing skills. The Strong4Life Champion is primarily responsible for conducting and documenting observations of nutrition education contacts that are provided by CPA staff to WIC participants. The Strong4Life Champion also provides skills development feedback and training for CPAs regarding motivational interviewing skills.