WIC is 25

The Missouri Department of Health held the WIC Biennial Conference Oct. 27-29 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach. There were over 700 attending this special celebration. Among those attending from the Daviess County WIC program were Sherri Carder, WIC Coordinator; Jackie Nichols, LPN-HPA; and Lana Tuner, nutrition educator.

Mrs. Carder was excited to be chosen as a local health department representative to serve on the planning committee for the conference and as a moderator for workshop sessions. The WIC program believes that our children are our most valuable resource; and their health, and the health and well-being of their families, must be protected and enhanced. The WIC program continues to be in a unique position to affect the lives of women and children when they are most vulnerable, those times being during pregnancy and the first five years of life.

The conference provided inspiring and educational speakers such as Mary Tyler, Ph.D., of the Fundamental Focus Company and Lori Frazier, MD, University of Missouri-Columbia Hospitals and Clinics, who focuses on child abuse and neglect and how to identify. Other topics included were nutrition issues, breast-feeding, teen pregnancy, workplace violence, integrity issues and what’s ahead for WIC in the year 2000.

During the bganquet festivities, Sherri was recognized for 18 years of service with the WIC program. She also participated in the lighting ceremony while presentation of the anniversary cake was made for the 25-year celebration of WIC.

Since WIC began in 1974, it was appropriate to choose the celebration theme “Stayin’ Alive” to incorporate activities around the disco era. Attendees were invited to come to the banquet in their disco duds. Gretchen Warman, Director of Nutritional Health and Services, gave insight on the future direction of the department. For the conclusion of the evening’s events, Sherri proudly presented the entertainment — The “Girlfriends”– Jackie Nichols, Sonna Walker, Elaine Bohannon, and Jan Stout. They were thoroughly enjoyed as they included state staff in their comedy antics and songs.

The WIC program develops good nutritional health during critical times of growth and development in order to prevent the occurrence of health problems and to improve the health status of women, infants and children. Local agencies, contracting with the state, provide the education and services at no cost to States Department of Agriculture. WIC clinics are primarily operated within the local Health Departments in the 114 counties of Missouri and the City of St. Louis. All WIC participants receive nutrition education that will emphasize the role of nutrition during the prenatal period, postpartum period, infancy, and early childhood. The program’s connection to health care is providing follow-up on nutrition health status, referrals and preventing nutrition related health problems.

Eligible persons for WIC are pregnant and breast-feeding women, infants and children birth to five years of age. All persons must meet income guidelines. Please contact the Daviess County Health Department for more information about the Missouri WIC program at 660-663-2414.

Photo: Lana Turner, nutrition educator; Jackie Nichols, LPN-HPA; and Sherri Carder, WIC coordinator

@cutline = The Girlfriends: Jackie Nichols, Elaine Bohannon, Sonna Walker and Jan Stout