WSU program aids families
Washington Association of Local WIC Agencies (WALWICA) recently presented Community Partnership Awards to the WSU Cooperative Extension Ideas for Living program and to Program Coordinator Bill Dwinelle. The awards recognized the work done by Ideas for Living volunteers who present nutrition and parenting classes at WIC clinics in Island and Skagit County. The citation noted in part, “Both WIC and the communities you serve are stronger because of your caring volunteers, partnership and services.” The awards were announced at the statewide WALWICA convention, which was held in Seattle in November. Wende Dolstad, Skagit County Community Action Agency WIC Director and Dori Johnson, WIC Director for Island County Health Department presented the awards at an Ideas for Living volunteer meeting on Nov. 29.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was established in 1974 under the U. S. Department of Agriculture. It links health care and food assistance for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and children through age four considered at risk of malnutrition. WIC employs a practical approach to nutrition by providing food to clients and giving them quality nutrition education and services. “Ideas for Living” volunteers support the educational component of WIC by presenting classes developed by Joanne Austin and Carolyn Rude, Extension Faculty.
Ideas for Living reaches more and more people every year, and this year will be another record breaker. In addition to WIC, Head Start, Youthnet, Friendship House, Community Mental Health, Families That Work, and other agencies that serve low-income clients use Ideas for Living classes. By year’s end it is estimated that approximately 90 classes will have been presented to more than 700 participants. Surveys show that 98 percent of participants learned new ideas from these classes, and 84 percent are putting the new ideas to use.
Ideas for Living currently has 18 active volunteers. These include seven new volunteers who completed their training in November. If you would like more information about Ideas for Living, please contact Joanne Austin at WSU Cooperative Extension, 679-7327.
