Title
Amending the Public Health Operating Budget to Accept WI Department of Health Services Grant Funding for a 1.0 FTE Bilingual Dietetic Specialist and a 1.0 FTE WIC Program Manager
Body
Public Health Madison & Dane County (Public Health) has a long history of administering the WIC program in Dane County through federal funding dispersed by the WI Department of Health Services (DHS). The program provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and food benefits to income eligible moms, infants, and babies. The program is now considered one of the most successful federally funded nutrition programs in the United States and has myriad studied beneficial health outcomes for its participants. Among these include improved birth outcomes and savings in health care costs, improved diet and diet-related outcomes, improved feeding practices, improved immunization rates and improved access to medical and social service care. Public Health recognizes the importance of primary prevention and wraparound support for newly pregnant moms and babies. This program works in tandem with Public Health’s Perinatal Care Coordination Program, Nurse Family Partnership Program, and other Maternal & Child Health initiatives. During the COVID pandemic, the WIC program shifted to a hybrid work environment, which eased enrollment and participation barriers for many Dane County residents, and specifically for our Spanish speaking families. Because of this, caseload has grown immensely in the past four years. In April 2022, Public Health WIC served 4,709 participants, 31% of whom identified as Hispanic/Latino. In April 2023, Public Health WIC served 5,077 participants, 34% of whom identified as Hispanic/Latino. As of April 2024, Public Health WIC is currently serving 6,036 participants, 36% of whom identify as Hispanic/Latino. Given both the persistent increases in caseload and the growing number of participants requiring Spanish speaking services, it has become imperative that we hire ...
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