Cooperation and creativity characterize Indiana program - WIC program in Henry County, Indiana

Food and Nutrition, July, 1987 by Mary Jane Getlinger

Cooperation And Creativity Characterize Indiana Program

Henry County was the first rural county in Indiana to offer a WIC program. The guiding force behind the program's inception was county nutritionist Olene Veach, who in the past 10 years has built a dynamic operation with some especially imaginative nutrition education activities.

As nutritionist for the county's Maternal and Child Health Program (MCH), Veach became interested in WIC in the late 1970's. She saw a role for WIC and felt it would not only provide needed foods, but also reinforce nutrition education.

"I helped write the grant proposal for WIC,' she says, "but I had no idea I'd be the one involved in running it.'

Born and raised in Henry County, Veach had earned a bachelor's degree in vocational home economics and a masters degree in nutrition. She was well qualified for the nutritionist position and also understood the cultural and economic patterns of the area. Currently, she is both WIC coordinator and MCH nutritionist for Henry County.

Henry County, which has a population of 53,336, has only one major city, New Castle. Approximately half of county residents live in communities of less than 2,500. Farming and small manufacturing companies are the major sources of income.

The residential pattern of the low-income population is migratory in nature. Most of these residents come from Appalachia and tend to return to that region periodically.

WIC services are well coordinated

Henry County WIC facilities are not elaborate, but they are cheerful and inviting to a caseload of 750 women, infants, and children. Posters, wall displays, bulletin boards, and pamphlets are displayed to teach nutrition concepts. There are also short film presentations.

There was no money allocated for furniture in the WIC budget, but WIC staff were able to salvage some metal storage cabinets from another agency and secure used school armchair desks to furnish the workshop area.

Veach attributes much of the success of the clinic "to an extremely co-operative staff who work together and are willing to learn more about nutrition.'

Assistants Sheri Burgess and Sharon Williamson help with workshops and client interviews. Secretary Betty Walker schedules appointments, completes necessary records, and also helps with certification. An in-service training program has helped staff members develop new skills and expand their nutrition knowledge.

Veach is well known in the community for her work with many service organizations. Often if she feels a WIC participant could be helped by one of these organizations, she will make a referral.

"I know most of the directors of the agencies on a first-name basis,' she says, "and I often call before I send someone over.'

Activities help in many ways

Veach says she is interested in helping "people to be self-sufficient--to do more for themselves than they otherwise could do.' She likes to involve the whole family and the community when possible.

A garden project is one way Veach is helping WIC participants become self-reliant. "The garden was a take-off from the 4-H garden seed program,' she says, "and Cooperative Extension helped by providing information.'

Seeds were ordered in bulk in March, and WIC participants were encouraged to purchase seed kits for $2.00. At planting time, a canning factory in the town provided five tomato plants for each person in a family. WIC clients were given information on how to plant, grow, and use the vegetables in meals. They also received information on the nutrients the vegetables contain.

"With a project like this,' says Veach, "lots of people who have never gardened will try, and long after they are off WIC, they will still grow some of their own food. It gives them a real sense of pride.' Last year, more than 200 people participated in the project.

In another family-oriented activity last year, many WIC participants and their families volunteered to walk a mile in the March of Dimes walk-a-thon. They received helium-filled baloons, cookies, and juice. "It was a good family outing, it didn't cost money, and it built good community relationships,' says Veach.

Nutrition workshops are held monthly

Workshops on nutrition are held monthly for WIC participants. Periodic evaluations allow participants to make suggestions at any time during the year. New workshops on choking and on food safety related to preparation and storage were developed in 1985.

A total of 69 workshops were held for parents and children last year. Veach says parent-child workshops are popular and have proven to be effective.

At workshops, mothers are encouraged to have children help in meal preparation by using large bowls, color-coded measuring cups, and easy-to-prepare recipes. This not only teaches nutrition but also helps build positive mother-child relationships.

"Another way we cover current issues is in our monthly newsletter, which also includes menu suggestions for good nutrition,' says Veach. "The older children who come along to the clinic receive a monthly coloring sheet with a children's recipe on the back.