The Northeast Health District recently earned a nationwide distinction from the United States Department of Agriculture.
The USDA honored the Northeast Health District with its Gold Level Breastfeeding Award of Excellence for its breastfeeding promotion and support in the Women, Infants, and Children program.
This award celebrates the WIC-related efforts throughout the 10-county district, which consists of Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties.
According to the USDA’s website, the breastfeeding award program recognizes exemplary local WIC breastfeeding programs and provides models to motivate other agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities. The goal is ultimately to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants.
“Our district could not have earned this award without the tireless efforts of our entire WIC staff,” said Northeast Health District nutrition services director Chelsea Freeman. “The clerical staff members are the first stop for breastfeeding promotion and referral, nutritionists and registered dietitians offer breastfeeding education, and our peer counselors and Buddy Specialists provide breastfeeding encouragement and support.”
The Northeast Health District was one of five districts throughout Georgia to earn this distinction for 2024. To earn this award, the district’s WIC program demonstrated a commitment to addressing the needs of mothers and children who rely on WIC services. This includes ensuring that all peer counselors and lactation consultants regularly train on best practices.
WIC also develops and maintains community partnerships to help reach more people needing WIC services. Award eligibility is also determined by whether the WIC program maintains a positive, encouraging clinic environment.
WIC is a federally funded health and nutrition program that provides services to women and young children in low-income families to help improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and give children a healthy start through nutritious food and education.
These services include nutrition counseling, education, breastfeeding support and coaching, a health resource library, and an electronic eWIC card for supplemental foods.
To learn more about WIC’s services and your potential eligibility, visit NortheastHealthDistrict.org/WIC