October 24, 2005 WIC Updates

TO: Local WIC Provider Administrators, WIC Coordinators and WIC Nutrition Coordinators
SUBJECT: 2006 National WIC Association (NWA) Calendars
SUBJECT: Brochure: Foods To Grow On - Birth to 12 months
SUBJECT: Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)

1. During the month of November, the WIC State office will ship 2006 NWA Calendars (English and Spanish)
   The English version of the calendars (20,000) will be allocated based on the monthly caseload. The Spanish version of calendars (11,500) will be allocated based on the number of Hispanic participants.  The calendar is an educational tool that provides information about the importance of physical activity and nutrition.  Each month of the calendar has a special physical activity, nutritional component and short quiz.  The calendar can also be used as a coloring book for children.  The State WIC office purchased only the wall calendar this year as stated in the Monday e-mail of July 5, 2005.
2. The brochure: Foods To Grow On - Birth to 12 months (#638) been updated.  The updated version of this brochure is a booklet printed on yellow paper.  This brochure can provide guidance to parents and caretakers of infants addressing nutrition.   The State WIC office will be sending a shipment to each LWP during the month of November.

If you have any questions/suggestion, please contact Takako Tagami at 1-800-392-8209 or e-mail Takako.Tagami@dhss.mo.gov

3. A question was asked at the Missouri WIC Association Conference last week, if the local WIC providers could continue to use the Harvard FFQ after January 1, 2006.  We contacted Harvard regarding this and they stated that we cannot continue to use their FFQ past December 31, 2005.  I truly do apologize if this has caused any problems in your agency. Please plan to discontinue using the Harvard FFQ December 31, 2005.