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This document provides an overview
of the wichealth initiative that was
developed by the Michigan WIC program
in partnership with Western Michigan
University and the State WIC Programs
of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio,
Washington and Wisconsin. Included
in this overview are a
number of web links
that will connect you
to information and
resources necessary
for comprehensive
implementation of the
wichealth initiative at
your agency.
Online nutrition education for WIC clients www.wichealth.org
The focus of the wichealth initiative is the wichealth.org website. The website serves as an option for the second nutrition education contact in the certification period for WIC clients. What makes wichealth.org unique is that the education provided is based on the client’s stage of readiness to change their behavior.
The wichealth.org website is based primarily on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change and incorporates Persuasive Communication, Division of Responsibility, and Behavioral Intent. This combination approach has been termed the eHealth Behavior Management Model and is designed to assist users in navigating the wichealth website to stage-specific education for a given topic. The intent is to progress users through the change continuum, advancing them to a more active stage of change, and ultimately to maintain positive changes in their behavior. More information about the eHealth Behavior Management Model can be found at www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/oct/04_0070.htm.
A variety of learning modules are available at wichealth.org that address diet, wellness, and feeding issues. The modules are designed for low-risk WIC clients with infants and children age newborn to five years. Some modules are available in Spanish and new modules are continually being added. Learning modules cover topics such as:
Making meals and snacks simple
Steps to a healthier family using MyPyramid
Breastfeeding support
Starting solids and drinking from the cup
Physical activity for kids
Eating more whole grains
Healthy drink alternatives
Being healthy after pregnancy
Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption
Secrets to feeding picky eaters
page 1 of 4
Check it out for yourself! Visit www.wichealth.org
and enter as a guest.
Providing WIC clients with an online resource for nutrition education offers both variety and flexibility. Many clients are looking for alternatives to traditional education, and wichealth.org allows them to complete their nutrition education requirement whenever they want, anywhere they have Internet access. Further, this approach saves time for both WIC clients and staff. Upon completion of an online learning module, clients can either print a certificate of completion to take to their next clinic visit, or have their certificate electronically submitted to their WIC office documenting fulfillment of their second nutrition education requirement.
Client visits www.wichealth.org
Client selects learning
module of interest
Client is asked a series
of questions to assess
stage of change
for selected
module topic
Client is directed to
educational and skill-based
end nodes (web links)
targeted to their
stage of change
for topic
Client receives
certificate to document
completion of learning module
identifying beginning and
ending stage of change for
chosen topic; client states
what they plan to do with
the information learned
Client is
asked further
questions
to assess
if stage of
change has
progressed
Online training for WIC professionals
Stages of Change and Motivational Negotiation www.wichealthmn.org
The wichealthmn.org website is where WIC professionals can engage in an online tutorial to enhance skills related to motivational negotiation and assessing a client’s stage of change. Motivational negotiation is particularly important for use in a VENA clinic environment. The wichealthmn.org training experience helps WIC professionals incorporate skills learned into WIC counseling sessions.
page 2 of 4
The wichealthsupport.org website supplies WIC professionals with information and resources necessary for successful implementation, marketing, and monitoring of wichealth.org at the agency or state level.
Implementation – A step-by-step implementation guide and PowerPoint training are available for those interested in implementing wichealth.org. Implementation materials are intended for WIC agency decision makers.
Implementation Guide - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=69
PowerPoint Training - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=81
Marketing – Marketing materials are available for use with WIC clients and staff to promote wichealth.org. Materials are available in both English and Spanish.
Bookmark to promote wichealth.org among WIC clients • (English) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt• (Spanish) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=95
Flyer to help WIC clients get started with wichealth.org• (English) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=98• (Spanish) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=94
Flyer to promote wichealth.org to WIC staff• (English) - www.wichealthsupport.org/materials.htt?view_old=96
Frequently Asked Questions – Answers to frequently asked questions are posted to assist WIC staff with wichealth.org implementation, marketing, and monitoring.
www.wichealthsupport.org/faq.htt
Evaluation Results – Evaluations are conducted regularly on wichealth.org. Quarterly and yearly evaluation reports are posted dating back to 2002.
www.wichealthsupport.org/evaluations.htt
Newsletter – A quarterly newsletter is posted to provide WIC staff with new information and updates about what is happening behind the scenes with wichealth.org.
www.wichealthsupport.org/newsletter.htt
www.wichealthsupport.org
page 3 of 4
The wichealthstats.org website provides analyses and current statistical data for all states participating in wichealth.org. Data analysis and user statistics are specific to each state and includes the following:
Summative usage statistics Module usage statisticsAges of clients/children Relationship between client(s) and child(ren)What agency clients are fromWhere clients are accessing the InternetBeginning and ending stage of changeClient comments
The wichealth.org webcast is a free, three and a half (3 ½) hour webinar offering a better understanding of wichealth.org to viewers. Continuing education has been approved for some professionals. The webcast will satisfy the following learning objectives:
• Identify key theoretical underpinnings of the wichealth.org system.
• Explain how wichealth.org fits in the nutrition education mission of your state or agency.
• Delineate three ways in which wichealth.org supports the VENA initiative.
• Describe two characteristics of wichealth.org that promote client satisfaction with nutrition education.
• Discuss two methodologies inherent in the wichealth.org model that facilitate active behavioral change.
• Compare the outcomes of a wichealth.org research study on the consumption of fruits and vegetables to one other model of traditional client nutrition education used in a WIC setting.
The wichealth.org webcast will air August 21, 2008Register online for the free wichealth.org webcast at www.mphi.eductrng.netFor registration assistance call (517) 324-8330
After August 23, 2008View the archived wichealth.org at www.wichealthwebcast.org
Project of the Michigan WIC Program in partnership with
Western Michigan University and the State WIC Programs of Illinois,
Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin.
Funded by USDA. USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
2008
www.wichealthstats.org
www.wichealthwebcast.org
page 4 of 4
Email for more information about
wichealth.org
wichealth.org [email protected]
