San Mateo County WIC "Did You Know" Bulletin Board
Borrowing an idea from a local coffee shop, WIC Community Worker, Ana Klanjac, CLE, suggested doing a
bulletin board at our WIC offices that would change monthly.
This idea was incorporated into the Best Practice Grant this past year and has now become a popular
stopping place at each of our sites.
Each month, the bulletin board focuses on a different message and includes information for parents and
staff about the monthly topic. We have covered Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August, beginning a list
of 101 Reasons to Breastfeed. This list continues each month with about 10 more reasons listed each
month.
September included information on signing up for a library card and also had an activity that we were using
in the Class of the Month-how to make a yarn ball. Instructions were printed up and available for participants
to take if they wanted.
Breast Cancer was the topic for October. We had self-breast exam shower cards available for moms to take.
We also had a focus on Folic Acid, including a recipe for a Spinach-Bean Salad that was high in folic acid.
With Thanksgiving and the start of holiday parties, November had tips on Safe Food Handling. The monthly
topic was National Diabetes Month. This recognized the increase in diabetes in our community and listed
risk factors.
Safe toy and gift ideas were on the bulletin board in December. A printed list of appropriate toys by age was
available to pick up. There was also information on how to reduce stress during this time of the year.
Future topics will include Resolutions for January, Heart Healthy information for February and general good
nutrition for National Nutrition Month in March.
Generally, we include a Breastfeeding Truth or Myth section, an activity or recipe, and the continuing list of
101 Reasons to Breastfeed. Each component of the bulletin board is 8 ½ x 11 and laminated for protection.
We will be able to use them over again or combine them in different ways during the year.
For further information, please contact Anne Garrett, RN, MS, IBCLC, RLC, at 650-573-2955, or by email at
agarrett@co.sanmateo.ca.us.