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Board approves $30,000 amendment to WIC dietitian contract while county recruits in‑house staff
Summary
Public health asked for a Synergy contract amendment of roughly $30,000 through year-end to continue dietitian services required by WIC; staff said WIC funds will cover the cost and the county hopes to hire a dietitian by Jan. 1.
The Josephine County Board approved an amendment to an existing contract with Synergy to provide certified nutritionist services for the federal/state WIC program through the end of the year.
Jana, public health lead, said the county must provide a certified nutritionist for WIC and that the Synergy contractor has filled that role since the county lost its dietitian. "We are asking for this contract through the end of the year, and we're hopeful that come January 1, we have our own person in place," Jana told commissioners. Staff said the amendment would add about $30,000 to the WIC budget and that WIC funds will pay the cost. Jana added the contractor charges about $70 an hour for roughly 40–50 hours a month and that hiring an in‑house dietitian would provide greater scheduling flexibility and additional services to clinic clients.
Commissioners asked whether the certification requirement was state or federal; staff explained it arises from WIC rules enforced nationally. Commissioner concerns about cost and whether a hire would be full‑time were discussed; staff said a new hire would likely be a full‑time position with roughly 50% allocation to WIC and other grant-funded dietitian services available to clinic patients. A motion to approve the amendment was made, seconded and passed on a recorded roll call.
