Responsibilities and Resources

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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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Writes and Implements the Nutrition
Services Plan
◦ Completed annually
◦ Nutrition Services Plan Guidance document available at: http://www.kansaswic.org/local_agencies/
◦ Requires coordination with all WIC staff in all clinics served by agency

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Developing Nutrition Education Materials
◦ Culturally, literacy and information appropriate
◦ Supports overall nutrition education goals
◦ May utilize materials from outside resources:
 www.kansaswic.org
 www.wicworks.nal.usda.gov
 Extension or other WIC programs

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Other Local Agency WIC Staff
Assigned State Agency Nutritionist
WIC Website: www.kansaswic.org
WIC Works Resource System: http://wicworks.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/ind ex.php?info_center=12&tax_level=1&tax_sub ject=642
Other reputable Internet sites

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