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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently awarded the Livingston-Wyoming WIC Program with the Gold Level Breastfeeding Award of Excellence for its breastfeeding promotion and support in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. The Breastfeeding Award of Excellence is part of the USDA’s effort to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support in their communities. The award is intended to provide a model for and to motivate local agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities, thus, increase breastfeeding and breastfeeding duration rates among WIC participants.
In response to receiving the award, Margaret Betette, WIC Program Coordinator, stated, “Like many WIC agencies, our team has faced multiple challenges in the past year due to the pandemic, vacancies, and adapting to providing remote services to WIC participants. Through all these challenges, the Livingston-Wyoming WIC program has continued to provide needed services to WIC participants, including our breastfeeding promotion and support. To receive this award from the USDA is an honor and a testament to the remarkable services provided by our team. I feel fortunate to work amongst such dedicated staff.”
In addition to providing breastfeeding support and counseling, the WIC program provides breast pump assistance, education from Certified Lactation Counselors, and peer support from our breastfeeding peer counselors. WIC families also receive nutrition education, monthly benefits for healthy foods, and referrals to community agencies and health care providers.
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