Responsibilities and Resources

By the end of this training the attendee will: Identify at least three skills required to carry out the responsibilities of Nutrition Services Coordinator List seven major responsibilities of Nutrition Services Coordinators Locate and utilize resources in carrying out the Nutrition Services Coordinator’s duties

 Broad knowledge of nutrition, dietetics, education, public health, ethics, case management, and care coordination ◦ Usually acquired through study of nutrition or dietetics including lifecycle nutrition, education theory and service coordination

 Advanced knowledge of current scientific information regarding maternal and child nutrition, diet and health ◦ Continues to gain knowledge through attendance at continuing education opportunities, self-study and required State Agency trainings

 Specialized knowledge of health and nutrition services in the community ◦ Coordinators collaborate with other partner organizations in carrying out WIC nutrition services and referrals

 Skill in conducting a service assessment and translating data into the Nutrition Services Plan ◦ Assesses current service delivery and devises a plan for improving the quality of nutrition education provided ◦ Uses the annual Nutrition Services Plan as a way to enhance overall WIC services

 Skill in conveying ideas clearly through written and oral presentations to public and professionals ◦ May provide in-service training to WIC/public health staff ◦ Provide presentations to community partners regarding nutrition ◦ and WIC services

 Experience providing nutrition services to families, women and children ◦ Experience in working in clinic setting with WIC or Maternal and Child Nutrition ◦ Completed training modules for WIC employees ◦ May require additional training for some responsibilities

 Writes and Implements the Nutrition Services Plan ◦ Completed annually ◦ Nutrition Services Plan Guidance document available at: ◦ Requires coordination with all WIC staff in all clinics served by agency

 Nutrition Services Plan ◦ Opportunity to think creatively about nutrition services ◦ Develop a plan to expand or improve nutrition and breastfeeding services ◦ Plan to improve clinic and customer services ◦ Due to SA Nutritionist by November 1

 Budget Planning for Nutrition Services ◦ Level of involvement varies by local agency ◦ Reflects projects included in Nutrition Services Plan ◦ Should include staff training/continuing education ◦ Can include infrastructure needs to improve nutrition services ◦ Look for P-Memo on date budget is due to SA.

 Coordination of Daily Nutrition Services ◦ Plans for how daily counseling will be documented  Risk Factors  Handouts and Topics  Client Goals  Notes ◦ Assures good participant-centered counseling techniques are used

◦ Coordination of Daily Nutrition Services ◦ Supports various techniques for doing low-risk secondary nutrition education  One-on-one counseling  Group classes  Facilitated discussion  Food demonstrations  Interactive nutrition education centers  Self-study lessons

 Nutrition Services Coordination ◦ Includes outreach, referrals and direct nutrition education provision ◦ Extension may provide classes, interactive centers or education materials  Documentation of client contacts must be entered in computer system by WIC staff ◦ Community nutrition education events can provide outreach and improve organizational ties

 Developing Nutrition Education Materials ◦ Culturally, literacy and information appropriate ◦ Supports overall nutrition education goals ◦ May utilize materials from outside resources:    Extension or other WIC programs

 Develop/Approve Lesson Plans ◦ Required for all low-risk nutrition education not done in one-on-one counseling ◦ Lesson plans have prescribed components  Objectives  Target audience  Outline of topics covered  Evaluation component  Goal setting

 Develop/Approve Lesson Plans ◦ May use lesson plans from other resources:  State WIC Office  Extension  Other State or Local WIC Agencies ◦ All lessons must have the required components regardless of who develops them ◦ All lesson plans not developed by the RD must be approved by the RD in advance of use. ◦ All lessons must be kept on file at clinic

 Provide Staff Training on Nutrition Services ◦ All staff need at least 2 training opportunities per year related to job responsibilities ◦ Topics on:  Nutrition Services Plan  Nutrients of interest  Updates on WIC policies  Participant-centered nutrition education and counseling  Sharing information from conferences attended

 Provide High Risk Nutrition Counseling ◦ Applies to Registered Dietitians only ◦ High-risk status determined by assigned risk factors or professional discretion high risk assignment ◦ Should be seen at least once per certification period ◦ Coordinator may develop additional materials to support high-risk counseling efforts

 Other Local Agency WIC Staff  Assigned State Agency Nutritionist  WIC Website:  WIC Works Resource System: ex.php?info_center=12&tax_level=1&tax_sub ject=642 ex.php?info_center=12&tax_level=1&tax_sub ject=642  Other reputable Internet sites

 Nutrition Services Coordinator’s Guidance ◦ A Year in the Life of a Nutrition Services Coordinator Table ◦ List of Websites of Interest