The Napa County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program has received the 2013 Best Practices Award for Excellence in Delivery of WIC Services from the California Dept. of Public Health State WIC Program. Presented at the California WIC Association’s annual conference in San Jose on April 24, the award recognizes agencies and individuals who have “gone above and beyond that which is expected and have implemented best practices” in providing nutritional assistance to low-income women and children up to age 5.

Napa County’s Public Health WIC program received this award, said Theresa Searles, regional contract analyst for State WIC, because of the program’s robust continuous quality improvement program, including client satisfaction surveys; competent, customer-friendly staff; efficient customer flow; and active participation in community collaborations.

“Everyone in Public Health is extremely proud of the WIC staff and program for being honored with this award,” said Laura Keller, director of Public Health Nursing and Napa County’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health programs. “As a public health program, we must be as effective and efficient as possible with our public resources and this award helps to assure us and our clients that we are doing just that.”

The objective criteria for the Excellence in Delivery of WIC services award included

  • two or fewer Program Evaluation (PE) Areas of Required Action findings;
  • a completed Participant Satisfaction Survey; and
  • a well-managed Continuous Quality Improvement program.

WIC is a national nutrition education program that promotes healthy eating, encourages and supports breastfeeding, and provides referrals to health and community resources. WIC participants receive checks to purchase healthy foods, tips for healthy eating and active living, support and help with breastfeeding, and referrals to other community programs.

The Napa County program serves about 3,800 clients each year and has locations in Napa, American Canyon, Calistoga and St. Helena. For more information or to see if you may be eligible for benefits, visit www.countyofnapa.org/publichealth/WIC.