Additional Funding for Local WIC Agencies

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On this page:
Funding Opportunity for Paraprofessional Staff
Local Agency Vendor Partnership and WIC Customer Satisfaction Project
CLOSED - Promoting Equity in Lactation
CLOSED - WIC Promotion and Outreach Grants
CLOSED - Coffective Community Partnership Collaborative

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Funding Opportunity for Paraprofessional Staff

Minnesota WIC has been awarded a grant to financially support the continuing education of paraprofessional WIC staff, including the coursework required by WIC policy and an elective certificate program. The grant funding is available through September 2024. The goals of this grant are to:

• provide meaningful continuing education to the paraprofessional staff that are integral to meeting the cultural and language needs of Minnesota WIC participants.
• increase job satisfaction and retention among paraprofessional staff.
• increase job performance and provide an opportunity for advancement among paraprofessional staff.
• support an equitable, diverse, and robust workforce among Minnesota WIC local agencies

For additional information and how to apply see previous memos:

• Funding Opportunity for Paraprofessional Staff Update (PDF)
• Funding Opportunity for Paraprofessional Staff (PDF)

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Local Agency Vendor Partnership and WIC Customer Satisfaction Project

Local agencies are invited to submit project proposals that address WIC customer satisfaction and the shopping experience in their community. The purpose of this grant is to support local agency ideas that address some of the obstacles participants face in their community. There are numerous ways local agencies can build relationships with a vendor(s) and familiarize partners and participants with training tools available under WIC Shopping Help on the MN WIC website. In the past, grant funds were used for grocery tours, education materials and for shopping with participants that use English as a second language. We welcome your creative ideas!!

This is an opportunity for local agencies to assess, create and test innovative approaches to foster a positive WIC shopping experience. Agencies may submit a proposal up to $5,000. Proposals that exceed this limit may be considered. Projects must be completed by September 30, 2024. Local agencies will receive funding after the project is completed and an invoice is submitted for project expenses.

Important Dates

• Applications due April 1, 2023.
• Notification of award will be provided by April 30, 2023.
• Funds must be spent by September 30, 2024.

For more information and to apply see the Local Agency Vendor Partnership and WIC Customer Satisfaction Project Application (PDF).

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CLOSED - Promoting Equity in Lactation

2023 FUNDING INFORMATION

Purpose of Project
To promote equity in lactation support across the state of Minnesota. Local agencies are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of the community and where opportunities exist. Projects incorporating culturally relevant lactation promotion and support, along with efforts to establish or strengthen community partnerships will be prioritized.

To see projects from previous years: Local Agency Breastfeeding Spotlights: Promoting Equity in Lactation

Funding Opportunity
Funding of up to $5,000 is available to Local WIC Agencies that are partnering with Community Organizations and/or Cultural/Local/Regional Breastfeeding Coalitions. Funds must be used by September 30th, 2023. We will select as many as possible up to $25,000.

The following list gives examples of ways to utilize the funding but is not inclusive. Please feel free to propose activities that best meet the needs of your community.

• Coalition building and leadership
• Chest/breastfeeding promotion or educational materials
• Lactation training to serve communities with disparities
• Normalization of lactation

Important Dates

• Applications due March 10, 2023.
• Notification of award will be provided by March 31, 2023.
• Funds must be spent by September 30, 2023.
• Final Evaluation Report due October 31, 2023.

Application Information
Promoting Equity in Lactation 2023 Application

Information needed to apply:
1. Main contact person name and information

2. Amount of funding request and itemized budget. Note: Budget should include all materials, rental, promotion, etc. that will be part of your project or event. Provide as much detail as possible.

3. Description of the project, and how it will promote equity in lactation for the targeted population/community.

4. Why this is needed, barriers/challenges identified, what you hope to accomplish, and how it will help support equity in lactation in your community.

5. Describe your partnership with a community organization and/or cultural/local/regional breastfeeding coalition and how your proposal will prioritize leadership from the BIPOC community.

6. How you will evaluate your project or activity.

Final Report
After activity/project, submit a report on the project, activity, or event:

1. Project summary

2. Please include any of the following with your report:

• Samples of materials (a photo or digital file of the material)
• Event Details (attendance information, partners, location, hours, promotion, staffing)
• Photos of activities
• List of participants
• Feedback from staff/volunteers and comments from those participating

3. Evaluation results

4. Final budget report with actual costs. Note: Expense report should include all materials, rental, promotion, etc. that were part of the project or event. Break down costs as much as possible. Please see the Example Budget Form (EXCEL).

5. Final comments on challenges, lessons learned, and suggestions for future projects Application Review

Application Review

• Applications will be reviewed by Minnesota WIC staff.
• Priority of funding will be given to proposals that include leadership from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

Questions?
Contact Rosie Pierce-Martin, 651-201-4428, Rosie.Pierce-Martin@state.mn.us

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CLOSED - WIC Promotion and Outreach Grants

2023 FUNDING INFORMATION

Purpose of Project
To promote WIC services for program recruitment and retention through outreach projects across the state of Minnesota. Local agencies are uniquely positioned to understand the needs of the community and where outreach opportunities exist.

Funding Opportunity
Funding of up to $3,000 is available to Local WIC Agencies. Funds must be used by September 30th, 2023. We will select as many as possible up to $25,000. The following list gives examples of ways to utilize the funding but is not inclusive. Please feel free to propose activities that best meet the needs of your community.

• Community events – such as August Chest/Breastfeeding Awareness Month Activities, Tabling at county fairs or the farmers' market
• Advertising campaigns and promotion such as social media, print media, etc.
• Promotion, educational, or advertising materials
• Increasing awareness of the full array of WIC services
• Working with community partners to increase referrals to WIC

Important Dates

• Applications due March 10, 2023.
• Notification of award will be provided by March 31, 2023.
• Funds must be spent by September 30, 2023.
• Final Evaluation Report due October 31, 2023.

Application Information
WIC Promotion and Outreach 2023 Application

Information needed to apply
1. Main contact person name and information

2. Amount of funding request and itemized budget. Note: Budget should include all materials, rental, advertising, promotion, etc. that will be part of your project or event. Provide as much detail as possible.

3. Description of the project or activity and how it will promote WIC Services for program recruitment and retention.

4. Why is this needed in your community and how will you include input from the community in the project? (25 points).

5. Describe the potential impact and what you hope to accomplish, along with how the outreach project or activity will target your community (25 points).

6. Describe how you will evaluate your project or activity and demonstrate reach (25 points).

Final Report
After activity/project, submit a report on the project, activity, or event:

1. Project summary

2. Please include any of the following with your report: a. Samples of materials (a photo or digital file of the material) b. Event Details (attendance information, partners, location, hours, promotion, staffing) c. Photos of activities d. List of participants e. Feedback from staff/volunteers and comments from those participating 3. Evaluation results

4. Final budget report with actual costs. Note: Expense report should include all materials, rental, advertising, promotion, etc. that were part of the project or event. Break down costs as much detail as possible. Please see the Example Budget Form (EXCEL).

5. Final comments on challenges, lessons learned, and suggestions for future projects

Application Review
Applications will be reviewed by Minnesota WIC staff.

Questions?
Contact Megan Leonard, 651-201-4083, Megan.Leonard@state.mn.us

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CLOSED - Coffective Community Partnership Collaborative

The Community Partnership Collaborative is an opportunity to get support with implementing a new lactation-related project or accelerating a project you’re already working on.

Coffective can provide:

• Coaching
• Technical assistance
• A $5,000 stipend
• Opportunities to connect and learn from other WIC agencies across the Midwest region as you work on the project of your choice.

The timeframe is Spring 2023 – September 30, 2023, and the time commitment is on average 3-4 hours per month.

To apply: Complete the Community Partnership Collaborative 2023 interest form by Friday, March 10, 2023.

See some of the projects from last year in the Community Collaborative Overview for 2023, Community Partnership Collaborative Increasing families’ equitable access to care.

Questions?
Contact Rosie Pierce-Martin, 651-201-4428, Rosie.Pierce-Martin@state.mn.us.

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