Online nutrition education for WIC clients www.wichealth.org The focus of the wichealth initiative is the wichealth.org website. The website serves as an option for the second nutrition education contact in the certification period for WIC clients. What makes wichealth.org unique is that the education provided is based on the client’s stage of readiness to change their behavior.
This document provides an overview of the wichealth initiative that was developed by the Michigan WIC program in partnership with Western Michigan University and the State WIC Programs of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. Included in this overview are a number of web links that will connect you to information and resources necessary for comprehensive implementation of the wichealth initiative at your agency.
Check it out for yourself! Visit www.wichealth.org and enter as a guest.
The wichealth.org website is based primarily on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change and incorporates Persuasive Communication, Division of Responsibility, and Behavioral Intent. This combination approach has been termed the eHealth Behavior Management Model and is designed to assist users in navigating the wichealth website to stage-specific education for a given topic. The intent is to progress users through the change continuum, advancing them to a more active stage of change, and ultimately to maintain positive changes in their behavior. More information about the eHealth Behavior Management Model can be found at www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/oct/04_0070.htm. A variety of learning modules are available at wichealth.org that address diet, wellness, and feeding issues. The modules are designed for low-risk WIC clients with infants and children age newborn to five years. Some modules are available in Spanish and new modules are continually being added. Learning modules cover topics such as: Making meals and snacks simple Steps to a healthier family using MyPyramid Breastfeeding support Starting solids and drinking from the cup Physical activity for kids Eating more whole grains Healthy drink alternatives Being healthy after pregnancy Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption Secrets to feeding picky eaters page 1 of 4
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Providing WIC clients with an online resource for nutrition education offers both variety and flexibility. Many clients are looking for alternatives to traditional education, and wichealth.org allows them to complete their nutrition education requirement whenever they want, anywhere they have Internet access. Further, this approach saves time for both WIC clients and staff. Upon completion of an online learning module, clients can either print a certificate of completion to take to their next clinic visit, or have their certificate electronically submitted to their WIC office documenting fulfillment of their second nutrition education requirement.
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Online training for WIC professionals
Stages of Change and Motivational Negotiation www.wichealthmn.org The wichealthmn.org website is where WIC professionals can engage in an online tutorial to enhance skills related to motivational negotiation and assessing a client’s stage of change. Motivational negotiation is particularly important for use in a VENA clinic environment. The wichealthmn.org training experience helps WIC professionals incorporate skills learned into WIC counseling sessions. page 2 of 4
www.wichealthsupport.org The wichealthsupport.org website supplies WIC professionals with information and resources necessary for successful implementation, marketing, and monitoring of wichealth.org at the agency or state level.
Implementation – A step-by-step implementation guide and PowerPoint training are available for those interested in implementing wichealth.org. Implementation materials are intended for WIC agency decision makers. Implementation Guide - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=69 PowerPoint Training - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=81
Marketing – Marketing materials are available for use with WIC clients and staff to promote wichealth.org. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. Bookmark to promote wichealth.org among WIC clients • (English) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt • (Spanish) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=95 Flyer to help WIC clients get started with wichealth.org • (English) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=98 • (Spanish) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=94 Flyer to promote wichealth.org to WIC staff • (English) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=96
Frequently Asked Questions – Answers to frequently asked questions are posted to assist WIC staff with wichealth.org implementation, marketing, and monitoring. www.wichealthsupport.org/faq.htt Evaluation Results – Evaluations are conducted regularly on wichealth.org. Quarterly and yearly evaluation reports are posted dating back to 2002. www.wichealthsupport.org/evaluations.htt Newsletter – A quarterly newsletter is posted to provide WIC staff with new information and updates about what is happening behind the scenes with wichealth.org. www.wichealthsupport.org/newsletter.htt
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www.wichealthstats.org The wichealthstats.org website provides analyses and current statistical data for all states participating in wichealth.org. Data analysis and user statistics are specific to each state and includes the following:
Email for more information about wichealth.org
Summative usage statistics Module usage statistics Ages of clients/children Relationship between client(s) and child(ren) What agency clients are from Where clients are accessing the Internet Beginning and ending stage of change Client comments
WIC questions
[email protected]
wichealth.org inquiries
[email protected]
Project of the Michigan WIC Program in partnership with Western Michigan University and the State WIC Programs of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin. Funded by USDA. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2008
www.wichealthwebcast.org The wichealth.org webcast is a free, three and a half (3 ½) hour webinar offering a better understanding of wichealth.org to viewers. Continuing education has been approved for some professionals. The webcast will satisfy the following learning objectives: • Identify key theoretical underpinnings of the wichealth.org system. • Explain how wichealth.org fits in the nutrition education mission of your state or agency. • Delineate three ways in which wichealth.org supports the VENA initiative. • Describe two characteristics of wichealth.org that promote client satisfaction with nutrition education. • Discuss two methodologies inherent in the wichealth.org model that facilitate active behavioral change. • Compare the outcomes of a wichealth.org research study on the consumption of fruits and vegetables to one other model of traditional client nutrition education used in a WIC setting. The wichealth.org webcast will air August 21, 2008 Register online for the free wichealth.org webcast at www.mphi.eductrng.net For registration assistance call (517) 324-8330 After August 23, 2008 View the archived wichealth.org at www.wichealthwebcast.org page 4 of 4
