1. The Power of Partnerships to Prevent Chronic Disease and Improve Community Health
Quinney Harris, MPH, Principal Investigator & Senior Manager, National WIC Association

2. Disclaimer
This presentation was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Number, U58 DP , funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

3. Background
NWA’s Community Partnerships for Healthy Mothers and Children (CPHMC) project is part of a large CDC grant, called National Implementation and Dissemination for Chronic Disease Prevention (Partnering4Health)
This 3-year cooperative agreement supports national organizations and their members in building/strengthening community infrastructure to implement population-based strategies to improve communities’ health.
The National Organization Awardees include:
Category A
National WIC Association (NWA)
American Planning Association (APA)
American Heart Association (AHA)
Category B
Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE)
Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE)
Community Capacity Building and Implementation
Dissemination and Training

4. Purpose of the Project
To create and implement community-driven plans to reduce chronic disease through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies.
Risk Factors:
Poor nutrition
Lack of access to chronic disease prevention, risk reduction, and management opportunities
Target population:
Mothers and children

5. Project Partners National WIC Association (NWA)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National WIC Association (NWA)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Altarum Institute
30 local WIC agencies in 18 target states

6. CPHMC Projects
To accomplish our goals, NWA funded 31 communities in 18 different states to implement policy, systems, and environmental change interventions in their local communities.

7. Structure of the Project
15 Months Total
First 6 months:
Capacity Building
Coalition, needs assessment, leadership team, community action plan
Remaining 9 months:
Community Action Plan Implementation
Nutrition and Community/Clinical Linkages
Average Sub-Recipient Funding from NWA: $173,000

8. Twin Approach Target Population: Low-income women and children
Reach of Project: Collective reach of all interventions must be at least 50% of the total population in the defined geographic area
Some interventions were aimed at the target population and others at segments of the total population

9. Full Spectrum of Support for WIC Clients
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Strategies Target the Organizational, Community, and Public Policy Levels (Potential for additional support for clients)
WIC Program: Direct Services

10. Policy, Systems and Environmental Change
Examples of CPHMC policy interventions include food ordinances and breastfeeding policies at worksites and local businesses
Examples of CPHMC systems interventions are green prescription pads and comprehensive breastfeeding and lactation support resulting from alignment between WIC, local hospitals, FQHCs, and other local providers
Examples of CPHMC environmental interventions are farmer’s markets, community gardens, healthy corners,

11. NWA’s Vision Promoting WIC Assets
Trusted community resource
Insights on client and community needs
Knowledgeable staff
Established community relationships
Serving clients beyond the clinic walls
Empowering WIC staff and clients to be engaged in a leadership role
Leveraging WIC strengths in a larger public health context
Consider the external and home environment
Programming based on the identified needs of the target population
Community partnerships
Consistent messaging with other stakeholders
Evaluation

12. Sector
Sub Categories
1. Medical and Public Health Organizations
Pharmacies, Department of State and Health Services, Health Departments, Hospitals, Eye Center, Family Planning, Family Medicine/Primary Care, WIC, Women’s Services, American Academy of Pediatricians (State Affiliate), Health Systems, Health Insurance Companies, Behavioral Health Center
2. Local Businesses and Community Organizations
Convention & Visitors Bureau, YMCA, Community Center, Community Development Organizations, Farm Bureau, United Way, Community Action Organizations, Chamber of Commerce, Local Newspaper, Hispanic Center, Foundations, Rural Health Services, Planning Council, Radio Station, Local Coalitions, Racial/Ethnic Affinity Organizations, Banks, Health Care Advocacy Organization, La Leche League, Food Policy Initiative, Charities, Neighborhood Improvement Council, Environmental Organizations, Parenting Center, Boys and Girls Club, Gym
3. Education
Public Schools, Public Library, Master Gardeners, Head Start, Cooperative Extension, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics (Local University), Medical School, Community College, Smart Beginnings, SNAP-Ed, School District, Nursery, Universities
4. Food Retail
Grocery Stores/Supermarkets, Food Pantries, School Food Service, Local Farmers/Farm Stands, Corner Store Owners, Food Processors, Farmers Markets, Food Markets, Mobile Grocery, Food Companies, Meals on Wheels, Food Distributors, Farmers Market Association,
5. Local and State Government
Department of Social Services, State Senator, Department of Human Resources, County Administrators, County Planning Department, State Representative, Housing Authority, Mayor, County Sheriff’s Office, Parks and Recreation Services, Public Relations Officer, Commissioners Office, County Senior Center, City Government, Food and Nutrition Service,
6. Religious Organizations
 Churches (Multiple Denominations)
7. Military
 Air Force Base, Army Installation Department of Public Health, Army Hospital
The sub-recipients partnered with a variety of organizations and established multisector coalitions to improve the health of the community

15. Additional Tools and Resources
Healthy Food Pantry Toolkit, Tri-County Health Department, Colorado
Resource Navigator Manual, CCI Health & Wellness, Inc., Maryland
WIC 101 Trainings for Pediatricians, OB/GYNs, and Community Service Providers, Richmond City Health District, Virginia
Eat Well Wichita County website, Wichita Falls- Wichita County Public Health District, Texas
Choose Fresh, Angelina County & Cities Health District, Texas
Choosing Health in Lake County (CHIL) website, District Health Department #10, Michigan
Bonner County Coalition for Health Healthy Lifestyle Rx website, Panhandle Health District, Idaho

16. Visit our website: www.greaterwithwic.org
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