Caledonia Argus

WIC explained to board

Posted: 6/15/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Houston County commissioners heard a 30-minute presentation on the countyís Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program at its June 8 meeting.

Diane Sullivan works about 15 hours a week to coordinate the program within the countyís public health department.

She gave a Power Point presentation that had a lot of information about WIC, a special supplemental nutrition program for women who are pregnant or postpartum, infants, and children up to age five.

ìOur main focus is to provide nutrition education,î Sullivan said. Its main purpose is to improve health during critical times of growth, she added.

First district commissioner Larry Graf asked if WIC was working to reduce obesity in children. Sullivan said they are emphasizing the importance of exercise. ìWeíve always looked at the junk food and that kind of thing,î she said.

ìIím not saying youíre the problem,î Graf replied. He said that he hoped that WIC could have some solutions to the problem.

Sullivan also responded to commissioners questions about what could be purchased with WIC food vouchers. She said that the vouchers list types and quantities of food that fit the nutritional goals of the program.

WIC is not an entitlement program, Sullivan said; applicants go through a screening and assessment process to see if they are eligible. The program has income guidelines too.

Many people are served by WIC nationwide: 35 percent of pregnant and post-partum women, and 50 percent of all infants.

WIC, which has locations in Caledonia, La Crescent, and Houston, also gives referrals to participants for things like doctors, county nurses, and Head Start.

For more information on WIC, call 507-725-5816.

Semcac change

In two other public health issues at the meeting:

ï Director Linda Grupa said that Semcac had made a change in paying for services, including a maximum of $75 for health screening for Head Start participants.

Grupa said it was not fair to the county to have to pay for Head Start health screenings. ìThere's got to be a better solution,î she said. ìThere are other alternatives besides public health.î

She added that the county would still offer health screenings for children on medical assistance.

ï The county public health department can now transmit data electronically to the Southeast Minnesota Immunization Connection (SEMIC), Grupa told the board. SEMIC is a regional immunization service that coordinates information on immunizations. The database can then be provided to clinics, schools, and parents, no matter where the person got his or her shots. Its goal is to have a well-protected population of children who donít get diseases, Grupa said.

ï In other business, Tim Comstock gave the board a 30-page packet of information to help them with planning for with building a new jail. It is titled ìHouston County Facilities Planning Resource.î It defines things like construction manager and project management, plus has a standard form agreement between owner and construction manager. He wants it to be a resource for understanding the various types of professional project management services that are available.

ï Court services administrator Kevin Siebold introduced Nicole Hintz to the board as a new probation officer.

ï The drop-off sites will be closed on Monday, July 5 because it is being considered a national holiday.

ï A secure payment drop box will be placed near the main (west) entrance to the courthouse for renewal of drivers licenses. County auditor Pete Johnson recommended it.

Second district commissioner Kevin Kelleher was absent from the meeting.

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