Educate 365 days a year

Abstract

The primary objective for this project was to provide year-round cost effective nutrition and health information to the participants in our Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC). We also wanted a way to help our participants become more organized so they would keep their appointments. We developed a calendar called WIC Works for You. The calendar has a proven record of being a useful and practical tool for nutrition and health education. Participant focus groups were held during the development of the calendar, and it has been evaluated by the recipients. Thus, information and format are relevant to the WIC population and the monthly photographs feature cultural diversity. Participants said they enjoy using recipes and want pertinent health care and emergency phone numbers. This unique form of delivering nutrition and health information is “packaged” in a practical format that our participants find useful as well as instructive. The calendar contains specific nutrition information about the foods in the WIC package, recipes that encourage increasing the use of fruits and vegetables, and the importance of healthy eating and health care. Prenatal care, infant feeding, introduction of solids, and feeding preschoolers are examples of topics covered. Health and safety tips such as the importance of immunizations, parenting tips, and playground safety are also featured. Important phone numbers are provided, including clinics, affordable health programs, and information hotlines. The information is targeted specifically to the WIC program and is an effective nutrition education tool. Participants in our focus groups indicated that they would use a calendar if they had one. They gave us specific information such as “I'd keep it by the telephone if I had one,” and “I'd hang it on the refrigerator and write notes about things I need to remember.” Most participants indicated that they seldom received a calendar and could not afford to buy one. Volume printing kept the cost low so we are able to give a copy to each family in our program. The calendar is printed in English and Spanish. Surveys taken after distribution provided almost universal satisfaction with the content and format of the calendar. The calendar does meet our objectives and has been well received by our clients. Using a calendar to convey nutrition and health education has proven effective. The calendar is unique in that it targets a very specific need and population and it provides WIC participants with information 365 days a year. The calendar has received a national award for innovative nutrition education and is used in 13 states. Developing a calendar as a cost effective educational tool might well be considered by other programs since the basic concept has proven to be effective.