Nutrition & WIC Services 1000 SW Jackson Ste 220 Topeka KS 66612-1274

Phone: 785-296-1320 Fax: 785-296-1326

www.kansaswic.org

KANSAS WIC INFORMATION MEMORANDUM KANSAS-WIC-I-2018-04

TO: Parent and Sub-Agencies FROM: Dave Thomason

Nutrition & WIC Services Director DATE: January 25, 2018 RE: Local Agency NWA Dues

Balance Beam Infant Scale Available Kansas eWIC News Retirement Announcement Coffective Note Division of Responsibility tidbit Good Start Soy Graphics Update BFPC & Supervisor Meeting

Kansas Issues Revised Fish Consumption Advisories Mileage Reimbursement Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) Breastfeeding Mini-Grants from Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition How to order breast feeding supplies refresher eWIC Vendor Training Power Point Confidentiality Reminder Training: Additional Educational Opportunities Updated Financial Support for On-Going Training

Kansas Local Agency National WIC Association Membership As in the past, the Kansas State Agency is paying the local agency membership dues for the National WIC Association (NWA). All parent, stand-alone and designated coalition agencies have organizational accounts with NWA. In order to receive e-mail and other member benefits from the NWA each individual staff member must create an individual account and have that account linked with the organizational account of the Local Agency under which dues were paid. Staff members of sub-agencies and agencies within coalitions are NWA members by virtue of their “Parent” Agency or the Agency in the coalition with the paid membership.

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 2 of 9 If you do not wish to create individual accounts, you may designate one or more individuals with an account to receive e-mails and then forward e-mail messages to all appropriate staff. If you are not receiving e-mail from the NWA, please follow the instructions attached to this memo to create and link an individual account. Once you have created an individual account, call NWA at (202) 232-5492 and say, “I need to be linked to my organization.” NWA must link you in order for you to receive member benefits. If you are not sure if you have an individual or organizational account call NWA at (202) 232-5492 and they can check for you. NOTE: Sub-agencies link their staff members to their Parent Agency’s account. Sub-agencies do not have an account of their own. Please be careful. If a sub agency does inadvertently create an account, that sub-agency will be charged NWA dues of $50.00. NOTE: For purposes of paying dues for the three existing regional coalitions, the state agency designated Atchison of NEK, Allen of SEK and Kiowa of SCK as surrogate “Parent” Agencies. Individual staff members in local agencies within these coalitions should notify NWA to link their account information to either Atchison, Allen or Kiowa County as their designated agency. ACTION REQUIRED: Go to the NWA web site www.nwica.org and click on “Login” at the top right of the page to verify your account information, create appropriate individual accounts and verify your subscriptions to e-mails, etc. (See attached detailed instructions)

Balance Beam Infant Scale Available

If your LA is interested in receiving a free, used infant balance beam scale, please contact Kara Watts at kara.watts@ks.gov by COB February 9th. Limited supply, so first come, first served! ACTION REQUIRED: Notify applicable staff. Kansas eWIC News The January issue of Kansas eWIC News is included with this memo and also is available on the website at http://www.kansaswic.org/local_agencies/eWIC.htm. ACTION REQUIRED: Have all staff read Kansas eWIC News. Retirement Announcement Martha Hagen, MS, RD, LD, IBCLC will be retiring February 28. Martha has served as the Kansas and WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator since 2007. She began working with the state WIC program to assist with converting the Kansas WIC Program from a paper based to electronic program– KWIC in 2001. Martha worked for local WIC programs in both Harvey and McPherson Counties. Martha has requested no retirement party – best wishes can be sent by

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 3 of 9 card or email. She thanks you all for supporting breastfeeding families in Kansas. The position will be refilled as soon as possible. Watch for an announcement when the application process is open. Contact Patrice with questions at Patrice.Thomsen@ks.gov or 785-296-1189. ACTION REQUIRED: Notify staff. Coffective Note Clinic staff should have completed or be completing the Coffective on-line training. Take time in a staff meeting to discuss which module each person liked best. My favorite was learning more about the components of breastmilk. It surely is the best food possible for babies. As a reminder, 3 strategies for implementation of Coffective need to be selected by February 28. One strategy is to be implemented in the WIC clinic, one in the community and then staff can decide where the third strategy is implemented. Having trouble deciding on a community strategy? What about working with a church? Some denominations have a parish or church nurse and the nurse might be interested in learning about Coffective and using those materials to help mothers in her congregation. Perhaps a whole community wide church breastfeeding support group could be planned!! Ransom Memorial Health in Ottawa is offering a Coffective training opportunity. Anyone is invited to attend. See the attached invitation. ACTION REQUIRED: All action steps should be selected by February 28, 2018. A report including the steps selected, a first quarter report, and short term evaluation of the implementation of one step is due to your SA Nutrition Lead by April 30, 2018. Division of Responsibility Tidbit The 2018 Nutrition Services Plan Guidance included an optional Action Plan on the theme of the Division of Responsibility (DOR) in eating. Many LAs are using this Plan. One way to think about the Division of Responsibility in eating is to think of it this way: The Who = Caregiver and Child The What = Healthy food offered by the Caregiver The When = The Caregiver sets meal and snack times The Where = The Caregiver decides where the food is offered The How = The Child decides if they will eat and how much Further pieces to this might be, offer food at the table, not the couch, not the car seat. Have meals and snacks at regular times and intervals, with water offered in-between. But when it is distilled down to the basics, it is the who, what, when, where and how. ACTION REQUIRED: If you haven’t already done so, have a staff meeting no later than 3/31/18 to determine your planned activities (minimum of 3). Create timelines and staff assignments for each activity. Then implement your activities. No later than 4/30/18, submit to your SA Nutrition lead the finalized list of planned activities and progress at that time on your Plan.

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 4 of 9 Good Start Soy Graphics Update Gerber Good Start Soy infant formula will undergo a graphics change on a flow-through basis at retail (once stores use up the “old” graphic, they’ll start using the “new” graphic) starting in May 2018. This includes powder, concentrate, and RTF forms. ACTION REQUIRED: Please see the attached document to see the new graphic. BFPC & Supervisor Meeting There will be a state-wide BFPC and BFPC supervisor get-together on March 8th from 5-7 pm. This gathering will be held in Newton, KS on the night before the La Leche League Conference. It will be held at Norm’s Coffee Bar and dinner will be provided. We’ll network and eat, then learn about communicating with our clients using Motivational Interviewing techniques. Come join the fun! Limited to BFPC’s and their supervisors, please register for the event on Kansas TRAIN with Course ID # 1074597 by February 9th. Please contact Kara Watts at kara.watts@ks.gov with any special considerations or diet needs, and with any other questions. We will make every effort to accommodate participants. ACTION REQUIRED: Share with applicable staff and ensure they register by February 9th. Kansas Issues Revised Fish Consumption Advisories The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) have issued revised fish consumption advisories for 2018. (See attachment at the end of this I-Memo.) The advisories identify types of fish or other aquatic animals that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination. General advice and Internet resources are also provided to aid the public in making informed decisions regarding the benefits as well as the risks associated with eating locally caught fish from Kansas waters. Note that the statewide advisory for Sensitive Populations (i.e. Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing and children age 17 or younger) is to restrict consumption of all types of locally caught fish, from waters or species of fish not specifically covered by an advisory to one meal per week because of mercury. But for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (black basses), Sensitive Populations should restrict consumption of these species to one meal per month because of mercury. The attached document also lists advisories for specific bodies of water. ACTION REQUIRED: Review the attached advisory and use as appropriate with clients. Mileage Reimbursement Effective January 1, 2018, the maximum allowed reimbursement for business miles has changed. The maximum allowed WIC reimbursement for Calendar Year 2018 will be .545 cents per mile. Each Local Agency should change their own affidavit spreadsheet to reflect what their agency allows up to the new maximum. If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Ortiz at (785) 291-3134 or by email at elizabeth.ortiz@ks.gov

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 5 of 9 ACTION REQUIRED: Notify all WIC staff as well as other Health Department or County staff who are involved with providing affidavits to the WIC Program. Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) An Earned Income Credit (EIC) flyer titled “Claim Your Money” is available at the end of this memo. The flyer is written in English and Spanish. A copy of the flyer should be printed out and available for WIC clients to pick up. It is important to remind clients about free help that is available to them when filing their tax forms. Many families that apply for the EIC pay someone to complete their tax forms and the average charge for tax preparation can cost $100 or more. Paying for tax preparation takes away from the value of the EIC. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites are located in community action agencies, churches, libraries, public assistance offices and other public places that provide free assistance to help low-income workers fill out their tax forms. If you wish to find the VITA site in your county you can call 1-800-906-9887. ACTION REQUIRED: Share the EIC flyer with clients. If you would like a full EIC packet, contact The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities outreach staff at (202) 408-1080, or you can email a request to http://www.eitcoutreach.org/outreach-strategies/materials/tax-credit-outreach-kit/ . If you need other languages of the “Claim Your Money” flyer, you can go to the website http://www.eitcoutreach.org/outreach-strategies/materials/flyers/ and print other languages. The English and Spanish versions are available at the end of this memo. Breastfeeding Mini-Grants from Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is pleased to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2018 Breastfeeding Mini-Grants; proposals are now being accepted. Eligible breastfeeding coalitions in Kansas are invited to submit proposals for up to $1,000 to fund activities which will improve breastfeeding rates — initiation, duration, or both. Proposals may be submitted via email to bbandy@ksbreastfeeding.org using the application form and must be finalized by midnight, March 15, 2018. While only local breastfeeding coalitions are eligible to apply, agencies are welcome to form a coalition if there isn’t one in their community. New coalitions are eligible to apply. Tools for Coalitions contains resources that may be helpful. Please feel free to contact Brenda Bandy with questions regarding this RFP. Thank you for working to create a landscape of breastfeeding support across Kansas.

ACTION REQUIRED: Share with applicable staff and community coalition partners. How to order breastfeeding supplies refresher We’ve recently had several questions about how to order pumps, so wanted to share some guidance with you here. Please refer to policy NED 05.04.00 for complete details on the procedure. Most importantly, remember to first contact Kara Watts, who will verify that funding is available prior to purchasing the equipment. Once approved, the LA orders the supplies directly from the company, then submits the invoice and pump reimbursement form (under forms on website) to the state for reimbursement.

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 6 of 9 ACTION REQUIRED: Have applicable staff review policy NED 05.04.00 and ask Kara Watts at kara.watts@ks.gov if questions persist. eWIC Vendor Training Power Point The eWIC Vendor Training Power Point is now available on the WIC Vendor Website. You can access by clicking this link: http://www.kansaswic.org/vendors/vendor_training.html. This power point should be provided to new vendors and can be used as a training tool for required annual training. ACTION REQUIRED: Share with applicable staff, provide to new vendors and use as a training tool for required annual training. Confidentiality Reminder This is a reminder to respect a WIC participant’s confidentiality and privacy by not identifying them as a WIC client when you see them in public. ACTION REQUIRED: Review PRI 04.00.00, Confidentiality of WIC Program Information. Training: Additional Educational Opportunities

• Kansas WIC New Employee Breastfeeding Training -“Using Loving Support to Grow and Glow in WIC”. All new employees are required to attend Loving Support training. WIC Coordinators may choose to wait and send new employees to the nearest training, as long as the person will have been employed in WIC for less than one year by the time they attend.

o Topeka – June 19, 2018 (See details in December I-Memo) o Wichita – Oct./Nov. 2018 (exact date to be determined)

• Motivational Interviewing skill building training – February 14-15th, 2018 in Andover, KS. The group hosting this event has agreed to give any WIC staff the discounted “student” rate ($125 since after Dec 16th registration), so make sure to mark that on the registration form, below as an attachment. Mention that you were referred by Kara Watts on the registration form.

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI): Client Engagement and Behavior Change

A MI SKILL-BUILDING TRAINING

2 DAY MI PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Dates: Wednesday, February 14th & Thursday, February 15th, 2018 Cost: Early Registration $185 Late Registration after December 16th, 2017, $205 Time: Registration 8:30am-9:00am, Session Starts 9:00am – Ends 4:00pm

Student Rate: 2 DAY MI TRAINING

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 7 of 9

Cost: Early Registration $95 Late Registration after December 16th, 2017; $125 Time: Registration 8:30am-9:00am, Session Starts 9:00am – Ends 4:00pm

Fee includes mid-morning refreshments and course materials. Cancellation fee $35.

Location: Butler County Community College, 5000 Building, Room: Grizzly, 715 E. 13th St., Andover, KS 67002 (Class located in the Student Union building in the middle of the complex on the east side of the building) Presenters: Bridgette G. Franklin, M.A. & Nick Milligan, LMSW

Members of MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) – International Trainers have successfully completed the only authorized MI Training-New-Trainers and have participated in substantial training's conducted by authors Dr. Miller, Dr. Rollnick and/or Dr. Terri Moyer (Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Coding) including training on the changes in the new MI3 Book. In addition, Bridgette Franklin has trained MI trainers across Kansas and mentored several who have become MINT trainer level trainers. Training Certificates provided: 14 Training hours (2-day training) Motivational Interviewing 2-day training:

• Understand Motivational Interviewing (MI) theory, concepts and philosophies. • Understand the contrasts between traditional interventions and Motivational

Interviewing strategies and interventions – Includes the spirit of MI. • Learn to measure client’ readiness level, Confidence level and Motivation level to

make changes. • New! Learn the four processes of MI, related strategies and interventions. • New! Learn how to use Emotional Intelligence competencies and MI to create

Therapeutic Rapport with the clients being served. • Acquire Intervention and Communication Skills Utilizing Motivational Interviewing

Five Strategies and Techniques “OARS”; Including empathy/reflective listening, change talk & skill building practice in each strategy.

• Courses include lecture, live demonstrations (Real Play), experiential practice, and video demonstrations. Take away: Communication Tools to use immediately.

Who should attend this training? All Service Providers: Primary Health Care; Physicians, WIC/Health Department employees, Nursing staff, Physical Therapist, Personal Trainers, Police Officers, Administrators and Educators for Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Marriage/Family Therapist, Children's Home employees, Homeless Outreach, Criminal Justice; Parole or Probation Officers, Office Staff/Receptionist (1st point of client contact), Intake Workers, Domestic Violence, Employee Assistance, Vocational Rehabilitation, Gambling, Weight Change Management. MI significantly benefits all helping professionals.

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 8 of 9 New trainers will be able to provide training in their program to ensure their staff maintain fidelity of the evidenced-based Motivational Interviewing model.

• Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) training—April 2018 in Junction City. Register

at www.centerforbreastfeeding.org. See below for details.

• Register Now - National WIC Association: NWA 2018 Annual Education and Training Conference & Exhibits will be held at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, IL April 22-25, 2018. Click for information. Cutoff for the hotel rate is April 6, but in the past, rooms have sold out well in in advance. The theme of this year's conference is Lifting WIC Voices to Engage & Inspire. This Conference will offer an excellent opportunity to acquire new skills and to network with an estimated 1,000 of your peers and colleagues, along with exhibitors who provide WIC related products and services for your participants. The conference will also offer an opportunity for attendees to hear from USDA officials and to dialogue on relevant updates and challenges that the program faces. For the rest of the conference, you will have the opportunity to choose from 27 general and concurrent sessions that are sure to expand your professional skills and knowledge base to equip you to face coming WIC challenges and to take advantage of current and future WIC opportunities.

WIC-I-2018-04 Date January 25, 2018 Page 9 of 9

• Save the Date - The NWA Biennial Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding Conference will be held at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans from September 24-27, 2018. Click for information. This conference is the most popular gathering of WIC nutrition and breastfeeding professionals in the US, attracting more than 1,200 staff from USDA, state and local WIC agencies. Education sessions will cover current and emerging nutrition and breastfeeding science, research, policy and best practices. Poster Sessions and special forums will offer additional learning and networking opportunities and offers an exhibit hall of over 50 exhibitors ready to provide the latest on WIC-related products, technology and services.

• Free 8-hour Mental Health First Aid Course. Find a location near you: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/

• La Leche League of Kansas “Breastfeeding 2018: The Art and Science of Lactation ” Friday March 9, 2018 7:30am-4:30pm Newton, KS. Register now: http://www.kansaslll.org/events.htm

ACTION REQUIRED: Share information with appropriate WIC staff about these continuing education opportunities. WIC staff is encouraged to attend additional nutrition and breastfeeding trainings and conferences. Consider sending appropriate WIC staff to trainings and conferences according to your local agency training needs and as the local agency budget allows. The SA encourages WIC staff, if appropriate, to also obtain funding through - ADM 11.02.00 Financial Support for Local Agency On-Going Training. Updated form “Financial Support for On-Going Training” The form, “Financial Support for On-Going Training,” has been updated to reflect the 2018 mileage rate at http://www.kansaswic.org/manual/forms/Financial_Support_for_On-going_Training.pdf. ACTION REQUIRED: Please be sure to use the updated form when requesting financial support for on-going training. If you have any questions regarding this memo, please contact the state staff member assigned to your agency. Items included below and/or provided separately as pdf documents:

• Steps on how to create an NWA account profile • January 2018 eWIC News • Coffective Training on 01-29-18 • Gerber Good Start Soy Graphics Update • Kansas Issues Revised Fish Consumption Advisories • Motivational Interviewing Training Registration Form • Earned Income Tax Credit

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018

9AM TO 10:30AM

THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR!

There are specific practices to help

families get off to a great start.

Ransom Memorial Hospital Conference Rooms 1301 S. Main Street Ottawa, KS 66067 Brenda Bandy, IBCLC

Executive Director Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Come and learn how communities can share the same message using evidence-based communication tools to help families prepare for the birth of their baby and get off to a good start. Call 785-229-8458 by Wednesday, January 24 Call 785-893-3010

LOCATION

SPEAKER

TOPIC

RSVP

QUESTIONS

SURROUNDED BY SUPPORT

Discover your role in helping families prepare for the birth of their baby, support them once they are home and learn what resources are available to you to help families get off to the best start with their new baby.

Ransom Memorial Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on thebasis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-785-229-8411 (TTY: 1-800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-785-229-8411 (TTY: 1-800-766-3777).

Claim Your MoneyYou could be eligible for up to $6,000 or more in your tax refund when you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit

3 EASY STEPS

See if you qualify

Find a FREE tax site*

*You can still claim the tax credits if you cannot find a freetax site near you.

File your taxesVisit a free site by April 17 to file your taxes and receive your money in a tax refund.

When will you file your taxes?Date: Time: Location: Phone:

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION Bring all documents below

Valid picture ID Taxpayer Identification Number: Social Security Card, Social Security Number verification letter, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

2. PROOF OF INCOME Bring all documents that apply

W-2s for all jobs last year 1099s for any other income received last year Statements for prizes, scholarships/fellowships, or lottery/gambling winnings

3. PROOF OF HEALTH INSURANCE Bring all documents that apply

1095-A if you had coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace 1095-B or 1095-C if you had other kinds of insurance or coverage

4. ADDITIONAL ITEMS Bring all documents that apply

Checking and savings account information to have your refund directly deposited Tax return from last year, if available Child care expenses: provider’s address and federal tax ID # Homeowners: mortgage statements and property tax bills Education: college tuition and student loan statements Alimony paid or received Notices: IRS, state tax, Health Insurance Marketplace, or anything that says “IMPORTANT TAX DOCUMENT”

Bring 2017 documents for you and each person in your householdTAX PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Reclame su dineroUsted podría recibir hasta un máximo de $6,000 o más en su devolución de impuestos cuando reclame el Crédito por Ingreso del Trabajo (EITC, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Crédito Tributario por Hijos (CTC, por sus siglas en inglés)

* Usted puede reclamar los créditos tributarios aún cuandono pueda encontrar un sitio gratuito de preparación deimpuestos cerca de usted.

Fecha: Hora:Lugar: Teléfono:

¿Cuándo va a declarar sus impuestos?

Para más información, visite eitcoutreach.org/help o llame al IRS al 1-800-829-1040.

Encuentre un sitio gratuito de preparación de impuestos*Visite irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep o llame al 800-906-9887.

Vea si reúne los requisitosDescubra cuánto podría recibir en eitcoutreach.org/help.

Declare sus impuestosVisite un sitio gratuito de preparación de impuestos antes del 17 de abril para declarar sus impuestos y recibir su rembolso.

SP

3 PASOS SENCILLOS

¿REÚNO LOS REQUISITOS?El Crédito por Ingreso del Trabajo y el Crédito Tributario por Hijos son beneficios tributarios para personas que trabajan. ¡Usted podría deber menos en impuestos y recibir un reembolso en efectivo!

SI TIENE HIJOS�� Edad: Para el EITC, los hijos deben ser menores de 19 años a finales

del 2017 (los estudiantes de tiempo completo pueden ser menores de 24 años y los hijos que estén discapacitados de forma permanente y total pueden ser de cualquier edad). Para el CTC, los hijos deben ser menores de 17 años a finales del 2017.Domicilio: Los hijos deben haber vivido con usted durante más de la mitad del 2017.Ingreso para el 2017: Para el CTC, si usted ganó más de $3,000, puede reclamar un crédito de hasta $1,000 por hijo. Para el EITC, sus ganancias deben ser menores a los límites siguientes:

Hijos Soltero Casado EITC de hasta:1 $39,617 $45,207 $3,4002 $45,007 $50,597 $5,616

3 o más $48,340 $53,930 $6,318

SI NO TIENE HIJOS�� Edad: Usted debe tener entre 25 y 64 años de edad.

Ingreso para el 2017: Si usted ganó menos de $15,010 ($20,600 si está casado y presenta una declaración conjunta), podría recibir una devolución del EITC de hasta $510.

SI USTED NO ES CIUDADANO DE LOS EE.UU.�� EITC: Usted, su cónyuge o cualquier hijo que usted declare debe tener un número de Seguro Social válido.�� CTC: Usted, su cónyuge o cualquier hijo que usted declare debe tener un número de Seguro Social

o un número de Identificación Personal del Contribuyente (ITIN, por sus siglas en inglés) válidos.

Reclamar estos créditos no afectará su elegibilidad para otros beneficios como SNAP (cupones para alimentos), SSI, Medicaid, asistencia en efectivo y vivienda pública. Si usted ahorra su devolución de impuestos, esta no será tomada en cuenta para los límites de recursos/bienes de los programas de beneficios financiados por el gobierno federal durante los 12 meses siguientes al recibo de la devolución.

Seguro médicoSi no cuenta con seguro médico, ¡el Crédito Tributario de Prima puede cubrir la mayor parte del costo de un plan! Regístrese entre el 1 de noviembre de 2017 y el 15 de diciembre de 2017. Algunas personas sin seguro podrían recibir una multa. Obtenga más información llamando al 1-800-318-2596, o visite www.HealthCare.gov.

Qué llevar a un sitio gratuito de preparación

de impuestos

• Identificación válida confotografía

• Tarjeta del SeguroSocial, carta deverificación delnúmero del SeguroSocial o un número deIdentificación Personaldel Contribuyente (ITIN,por sus siglas en inglés)

• Formularios W-2 o1099

• Comprobante deseguro médico(formularios 1095-A,1095-B, o 1095-C)

Kansas Dept of Health & Environment: Nutrition & WIC Services Page 1 of 4

Issue 10: January 2018

Kansas eWIC News

Dear Kansas WIC Staff,

Shawnee County has successfully completed the eWIC pilot and has been issuing eWIC cards for nearly four months. The first region, Northeast, rolled out on January 10 with relative ease. Considering there were 16 counties in this region, we were impressed with the competency of the local agencies and the way in which they handled any problems. This issue of eWIC News will provide some important reminders both for agencies who have rolled out with eWIC and those who have yet to roll out.

Warm regards,

David Thomason, Kansas WIC Director

Final update from former pilot, Shawnee County

“Now that we have completed the first three months of eWIC, staff is ready for a break from explaining how to use the eWIC card. Staff rarely says “Checks” anymore! We have already forgotten about having clients sign for checks. It is nice to know all of our clients have now received and hopefully have used their eWIC card at the store. Cashiers at the grocery stores should now be comfortable with accepting eWIC cards.

We now plan to start explaining to caregivers with low risk children 1-5 years old (and no other family members on WIC in another category) how they can do their secondary nutrition education through WICHealth.org and have one less visit to the office.

We also are taking more time to look at the policy about when benefits can be issued without a caregiver present.”

-Kay Powell, RD, LD WIC Team Leader

Shawnee County Health Department

Key Dates Upcoming Roll-Out Dates: February 7, 2018

Roll-Out #2 Southeast March 7, 2018

Roll-Out #3 Southcentral April 4, 2018

Roll-Out #4 Northcentral May 2, 2018

Roll-Out #5 Southwest May 30, 2018

Roll-Out #6 Northwest Next webinar: January 18, 2018 Roll-Out #2 Live webinar February 14, 2018 Roll-Out #3 Live webinar View the map of agencies in each roll-out region.

In This Issue • Roll-Out Region #1 • eWIC to Checks • Answering Machine

Message—now in Spanish • eWIC Client Education • Promoting eWIC • True or False • Top 10 Tips from Shawnee

Co.

The eWIC Toolkit Parts 1, 2, and Appendices are all available by section online: http://www.kansaswic.org/local_agencies/eWIC.htm

Kansas Dept of Health & Environment: Nutrition & WIC Services Page 2 of 4

Roll-Out Region #1 Congrats to Roll-Out Region #1 (1/10/18)

Atchison Brown Doniphan Douglas Geary Jackson Jefferson Johnson Marshall Nemaha Osage Pottawatomie Riley Wabaunsee Wyandotte Leavenworth

eWIC to Checks

Now that we have started the full roll-out, it will become more and more likely that clinics who have not rolled out yet might have clients transfer in from counties who have rolled out. Be sure to have eWIC Toolkit Part 2 pages 72-73 handy.

Also note, if you have a client transfer in from a KS eWIC county, they can hold on to the card and bring it back in for their next appointment with you when you are live with eWIC (assuming the card was not deactivated in KWIC).

Suggested Answering Machine Message (now in Spanish!)

English version: This phone line is to report lost or stolen eWIC cards. Please leave the active client’s full name with spelling, date of birth, and a phone number. Your eWIC card will be deactivated the next business day. Please call the WIC office during business hours to schedule an appointment to receive a new eWIC card. For all other messages, call back during regular business hours.

Spanish version: Esta linea telefonica es para reportar tarjetas de eWIC que hayan sido robadas o perdidas. Por favor deletree el nombre completo del cliente,fecha de nacimiento, y su numero de telefono. Su tarjeta eWIC sera desactivada al siguiente dia laboral. Por favor llame a la oficina de WIC durante horas de trabajo para programar una cita y recibir una tarjeta nueva de eWIC. Para otro tipo de mensajes, llamar durante horas regulares de servicio.

eWIC Client Ed The eWIC client trifold and WICShopper app brochures are both now available to order through BrushArt! All counties will order their own supply. Order a few for staff to review now, but please do not give these brochures to clients until you issue them an eWIC card.

eWIC Observations For future eWIC clinic observations, please contact only those counties that have observations scheduled for your region. Each region’s WIC Coordinators will receive the schedule about 4-5 weeks prior to your roll-out. Shawnee county did a wonderful job hosting roll-out group #1 agencies, so will no longer be conducting eWIC clinic observations.

Kansas Dept of Health & Environment: Nutrition & WIC Services Page 3 of 4

Promoting eWIC (for Regions 3-6)

For agencies rolling out a little later, keep promoting eWIC to your clients! Bulletin boards with the basic information helps clients feel informed about the changes. If clients download the WICShopper app now, it will be one less step you need to complete with them at the next visit, and it will be more familiar to clients.

Promoting eWIC (for Regions 1-2 now, others later)

For agencies rolling out now, how are you promoting the exciting news with the public? See the Partner Notification section of the eWIC Toolkit

Part 1, pages 46-47. In the next issue of eWIC News, we will share the eWIC launch promotions from the state office. Please send pictures and stories to the state agency so we can share ideas with future roll-out agencies! Please send to Lisa Medrow at Lisa.Medrow@ks.gov.

Dickinson County Health Department proudly displays eWIC information for clients!

One of the hardest things to remember with eWIC is…. Anytime you unclick the “Foster Child” box on the Demographics screen, the card will no longer be accessible on the screen because the child no longer has his/her own eWIC ID. It’s important to deactivate the card first, as you will not be able to deactivate it after you unclick the “Foster Child” box.

Kansas Dept of Health & Environment: Nutrition & WIC Services Page 4 of 4

True or False? 1. Benefits do not

automatically appear in the account the 1st of every month.

2. Once a store begins using eWIC, they no longer accept checks.

3. If client’s FUD is in the future, the benefits will not appear in the WICShopper app.

Answers: 1. TRUE. Benefit periods

are determined by the client’s First and Last Use Dates, and benefits appear for the next benefit period only if benefits have been issued. Clients need to know it’s important to keep appointments to continue receiving benefits.

2. FALSE. All Kansas vendors will accept checks throughout roll-out (Approx. October 2018).

3. TRUE. Only the current benefit period’s benefits appear in the WICShopper app.

Top 10 Tips from Shawnee County Thank you, Kay Powell & the whole Shawnee County team for sharing many key points with Roll-Out Region #1 staff when they visited you for their Observational Visit.

Here are the Top 10 as selected by the state agency: 1. Clients are excited, stores are excited, make sure staff is

excited! 2. Watch your check paper and MICR toner cartridge

orders. 3. Practice what you plan to tell clients. 4. Plan extra time for appointments to explain to clients how

to use eWIC at the store. 5. Clients need to SLOWLY enter the 4 digit PIN, press the

green button, wait until the screen says “verify” and SLOWLY enter the same 4 digits again and press the green button again.

6. It’s great when you can help a client download the WICShopper App and add their card number—they leave excited and confident.

7. Review printed shopping list with clients because it looks different. (e.g. two people on WIC will show 72 oz. Cereal, 64 oz. Whole Grains, etc.)

8. If the client has a special formula, have them take the printed shopping list so the pharmacy can see the correct spelling of the product and can size. Suggest they shop for special formula during WIC office hours so they can call from the store if there is an issue.

9. To change benefits, don’t go to Assign Food Package. Go to Modify Benefit Issuance. If changing formula, make sure to enter number of cans to void or else you might still have the formula from previous assignment plus the formula you added today.

10. STRESS to client when making appointment they need ALL proofs!

It is with sincere appreciation that the state agency congratulates Shawnee County for completing the Kansas eWIC Pilot. The Shawnee County staff exhibited extreme patience and flexibility as we worked through eWIC issues, and have provided valuable advice that was used to develop the state eWIC training materials. It is because of Shawnee County that the rest of the state is expected to have a smooth roll-out. From the entire state of Kansas, thank you Shawnee County!

 Gerber Products Company 

12 Vreeland Road • Box 697 Florham Park, New Jersey 07932‐0697 

Tina Ewing Director, WIC Business Strategy 

 January 2, 2018    Re: Gerber® Good Start® Soy Infant Formulas Updates  To our valued WIC partner:  We are pleased to announce a graphics change to Gerber® Good Start® Soy Infant Formulas.   The following products will undergo a graphics change on a flow‐through basis at retail starting in May 2018: 

Product Description Unit UPC 

(no change) 

Gerber® Good Start® Soy 12.9oz Powder  050000035304 

Gerber® Good Start® Soy 12.1 fl oz Concentrate  050000034581 

Gerber® Good Start® Soy 4x8.45 fl oz RTF  050000353552 

  Please note that these products will maintain the same UPCs.  Please refer to the attachment for illustrative examples of the new graphics for your WIC clients.   Feel free to cascade this notification to your teams who manage food lists and communication to your local agencies.  We will contact those persons in a few weeks to provide all the needed resources and materials to update WIC participants of the graphics changes.  For questions, please contact me via phone (973‐593‐7751) or e‐mail (tina.ewing@us.nestle.com).   We appreciate your continued support.  Best Regards, 

 Tina Ewing Director, WIC Business Strategy 

   

‐ 2 ‐ 

Attachment – Current vs. New Graphics 

Current Graphics New Graphics – Starting May 2018

  For illustration purposes only  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2018 Contact: J.C. Reeves (KDHE) 785-368-8053 Kdhe.communications@ks.gov Ron Kaufman (KDWPT) 785-296-2870 Ron.Kaufman@ks.gov

Kansas issues revised fish consumption advisories

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) are issuing revised fish consumption advisories for 2018. The advisories identify types of fish or other aquatic animals that should be eaten in limited quantities or, in some cases, avoided altogether because of contamination. General advice and Internet resources are also provided to aid the public in making informed decisions regarding the benefits as well as the risks associated with eating locally caught fish from Kansas waters. Definitions:

Bottom-feeding fish: buffalos, carp, carpsuckers, catfishes (except blue and flathead catfish), sturgeons, and suckers. Predatory fish: black basses, blue catfish, crappies, drum, flathead catfish, perches, sunfish, white bass, wiper, striper, walleye, saugeye and sauger. Shellfish: mussels, clams and crayfish. General Population: Men and women 18 years of age or older. Sensitive Populations: Women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing and children age 17 or younger. Meal size (skinless fish fillets before cooking): Adults and Children age 13 and older = 8 ounces Children age 6 to 12 = 4 ounces Children younger than 6 = 2 ounces

Statewide Advisories Kansas recommends the following consumption restrictions because of mercury in fish:

1. Sensitive Populations should restrict consumption of all types of locally caught fish, from waters or species of fish not specifically covered by an advisory to one meal per week because of mercury.

2. Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass (black basses):

A. Sensitive Populations should restrict consumption of these species to one meal per month

because of mercury. B. General Public should restrict consumption of these species to one meal per week because of

mercury. Existing advisories modified for 2018 Kansas has modified fish consumption advisories for portions of Cow Creek, the Kansas River, and Little Arkansas River because of decreased levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in bottom-feeding fish fillet samples collected in recent years. Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish to one meal per week from the following location because of PCBs:

1. Cow Creek in Hutchinson and downstream to the confluence with the Arkansas River (Reno County); 2. The Kansas River from Lawrence (below Bowersock Dam) downstream to Eudora at the confluence of

the Wakarusa River (Douglas and Leavenworth counties); 3. The Little Arkansas River from the Main Street Bridge immediately west of Valley Center to the

confluence with the Arkansas River in Wichita (Sedgwick County). NEW advisories for 2018 K-96 Lake in Wichita (Sedgwick County) – Kansas recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish to one meal per month because of PCBs. Arkalon Park Lakes in Liberal (Seward County) – Kansas recommends not eating fish or other aquatic life because the lakes are sustained solely by treated municipal wastewater. Waterbody specific advisories for all consumers Kansas recommends not eating specified fish or aquatic life from the following locations:

1. The Arkansas River from the Lincoln Street dam in Wichita downstream to the confluence with Cowskin Creek near Belle Plaine (Sedgwick and Sumner counties); bottom-feeding fish because of PCBs.

2. Shoal Creek from the Missouri/Kansas border to Empire Lake (Cherokee County); shellfish because of lead and cadmium.

3. The Spring River from the confluence of Center Creek to the Kansas/Oklahoma border (Cherokee County); shellfish because of lead and cadmium.

4. Antioch Park Lake South in Antioch Park, Overland Park (Johnson County); all fish because of the pesticides dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, chlordane, and dichlorophenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs).

General advice for eating locally caught fish in Kansas

1. Sensitive populations should consider restricting their total mercury intake for both supermarket fish and

locally caught species. Concerned parents and other persons may wish to consult with a physician about eating fish and mercury exposure.

2. Mercury exposure can be reduced by limiting the consumption of large predatory fish. Larger/older fish of all types are more likely to have higher concentrations of mercury.

3. Avoid the consumption of fish parts other than fillets, especially when eating bottom-feeding fish. Fatty internal organs tend to accumulate higher levels of fat-soluble contaminants such as chlordane and PCBs than fillets.

4. Consumers can reduce their ingestion of fat-soluble contaminants such as chlordane and PCBs by trimming fat from fillets, and cooking in a manner in which fat drips away from the fillet.

5. Avoid subsistence level (relying on wild-caught fish for daily nutritional needs) fishing activities in large rivers within or immediately downstream of large urban/industrial areas and wastewater outfalls. Fish in these areas are more likely to contain traces of chemical contaminants.

6. Kansas recommends not eating fish or aquatic life from surface waters sustained solely by municipal or industrial wastewater because of unknown, yet potentially present pathogens, metals, organic chemicals or other emerging contaminants. This advisory includes consumption of any aquatic life present in wastewater outfalls, waste treatment lagoons or stormwater detention ponds.

7. In waterbodies where watches or warnings related to harmful algae blooms have been applied, fish should be consumed in moderation and care taken to only consume skinless fillets. Avoid cutting into internal organs and rinse fillets with clean water prior to cooking or freezing.

Internet resources from KDHE, KDWPT, EPA, FDA, and the American Heart Association To view the advisories online and for information about KDHE’s Fish Tissue Contaminant Monitoring Program please visit our website at: http://www.kdheks.gov/befs/fish_tissue_monitoring.htm For information about harmful algal blooms, including current watches and warnings, visit this KDHE website: http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm For information about fishing in Kansas including licensing, regulations, fishing reports and fishing forecasts please visit the KDWPT fishing website: http://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing For general information about mercury in fish, national advisories, and advisories in other states please visit this EPA website: http://www2.epa.gov/choose-fish-and-shellfish-wisely For information regarding personal care products and pharmaceuticals in fish please visit this EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech/pilot-study-pharmaceuticals-and-personal-care-products-fish-tissue For information about the health benefits vs. the risks of including fish in your diet please visit this American Heart Association website: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Fish-101_UCM_305986_Article.jsp For technical information regarding the EPA risk assessment methods used to determine advisory consumption limits please visit: http://www2.epa.gov/fish-tech

# # #

As the state’s environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotes responsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans.

Creating an NWA account profile

1. Go to the website: www.nwica.org 2. Click on “Log in” top right of webpage

3. A box will appear. If you have an account, log in. If not, at the bottom of the box it will ask: Don’t Have an Account? You can then click on: Create one.

4. You will then be prompted to fill in your personal information and click create account at the bottom of the page.

5. Once you are done, call NWA at (202) 232-5492 and say, “I need to be linked to my organization.” We must link you in order for you to receive member benefits which include our e-newsletters and discounted conference rates.

6. If you are not sure if you have a profile: a. You can call us (202) 232-5492 and we can check for you.

What your profile (“Dashboard Account” will look like:

Log-In & Log Out Here

Events: Shows upcoming events and a “register” button to register for conferences.

Purchases: Shows your receipts and invoices. You can print receipts and pay your invoices here. Yellow circle indicates an unpaid invoice.

Subscriptions: Manage your NWA e-publication subscriptions (subscribe to Monday Morning Report, etc. here.)