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POLICY, MARKETING & TRAINING Goals & Objectives, FY2027 | 31

Policy, Marketing & Training The overall goal of Policy, Marketing & Training—consisting of cross-unit federal, state, and local policy work, marketing, collaboration with Community Coordination, and The Learning Center (TLC)—is to increase participation in the WIC Nutrition Program through sound and effective policy, public awareness activities, community- based coordination, and the provision of training and development activities to new and existing local program staff. The primary objectives for FY27 are:

A. To collaborate with Administration & Management, Operations, Nutrition Services, Fiscal, and Systems to implement appropriate sections of the Massachusetts Childhood Hunger Relief Act.

1. Maintain the statewide WIC Advisory Council to provide a forum for ongoing review, advice, and advocacy to the Program, and to promote a positive image and greater public awareness on behalf of WIC.

2. Continue with social marketing activities as part of ongoing public awareness campaigns to maximize program participation.

3. Collaborate with Systems and Bureau of Family Health & Nutrition (BFHN) Office of Data Translation to conduct and analyze the WIC Needs Assessment to assess community service needs.

4. Collaborate with Administration & Management, Operations, and Fiscal to utilize WIC Needs Assessment information in the Caseload Allocation Methodology and policy decisions.

5. Collaborate with other program units to develop and implement state FY27 contract and local program amendments. Participate in discussions on local program issues.

6. Conduct a public hearing to review the annual state plan.

B. To direct, coordinate, and conduct issue and policy analyses on state and federal WIC issues, program operations and activities, providing technical assistance, as needed.

1. Monitor and assess state and federal policies, legislation, and funding as they affect WIC policy, operations, and activities.

2. Respond to inquiries from state and federal administrations, legislatures, DPH, the public, and other parties concerning WIC.