The Livingston-Wyoming Women, Infants and Children Program was recently awarded the AHEAD 2.0: Strengthening and Diversifying the WIC Workforce Sub-Grant by the National WIC Association. The nearly $3,000 in grant funding will contribute to the professional development of Livingston-Wyoming WIC staff member Melanie Planck, enabling her to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
The AHEAD 2.0 grant initiative focuses on enhancing the strength and diversity of the WIC program’s workforce, which includes Registered Dietitians, IBCLCs, Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, Competent Professional Authorities, and Competent Paraprofessional Authorities. Livingston-Wyoming WIC Program’s successful application for the AHEAD 2.0 grant exemplifies the program’s commitment to ensuring the highest level of support and care for local families, said WIC Program Coordinator Margaret Betette.
“Through this grant funding, we’re not only investing in the professional development of our talented staff but also in the well-being of the families we serve,” she explained. “This opportunity allows us to strengthen our workforce and enhance our ability to provide inclusive and comprehensive support to those in our community.”
The grant funding will cover the costs associated with essential trainings, textbooks, and examination fees required for Planck to obtain the IBCLC certification.
WIC is a federal nutrition program that provides monthly benefits for healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and referrals to health care for eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers of infants one year or younger, non-breastfeeding mothers of infants six months or younger, and children less than five years old. To learn more about Livingston-Wyoming WIC, visit https://www.livingstoncounty.us/193/WIC or call 585-243-7530.
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