Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public health staff report WIC conference takeaways, propose electronic health record and long-term facility plan
Summary
Taylor, a member of the Neosho County health department staff, told commissioners on May 20 that WIC staff returned from the National WIC Conference with program ideas including mobile clinics, online nutrition education and updated infant-feeding guidance.
Taylor, a member of the county health department staff, told the Neosho County commissioners on May 20 that staff attended the National WIC Conference and brought back policy updates and program ideas they believe will expand access and improve retention.
Taylor highlighted demonstrations and sessions on “WIC on Wheels” mobile clinics, online nutrition education platforms and updated infant-feeding guidance summarized from Harvard Medical School research. “One of the things I learned was early introduction of peanuts can reduce allergic risk,” Taylor said, adding that some sessions validated local nutritional counseling practices.
Taylor also raised two items for commissioners’ future consideration: an electronic health-record system and a longer-term facilities plan. The department has obtained a vendor quote for an EHR (Nightingale Notes was mentioned along with other products) with an estimated first-year cost of about $20,000 for the county’s eight-person team, partly because the first year includes training. Taylor said grant funds might cover the purchase, but that staff may need county support if grants do not cover the full cost. “That can be paid for out of grants as well. So if grants couldn't fund it totally, I would be coming back to ask for some help,” she said.
Separately, Taylor said the health department is outgrowing its current building. She presented conceptual plans for a new 7,200-square-foot facility (80 feet by 90 feet) and said initial cost estimates from architects and contractors ranged roughly between $1.2 million and $2 million. Taylor said grant writing and federal programs might support such a project and noted WIC previously paid part of an $80,000 remodel in the existing space.
Commissioners asked that Taylor and staff develop budget timing and potential grant strategies and said the item should be addressed during the county’s upcoming budget process. No funding commitment was made at the May 20 meeting.
Taylor also described plans to pilot online nutrition-education modules and to expand mobile outreach using existing clinic trailers used for flu clinics to reach WIC clients during disasters or when clients cannot travel to the clinic.
