WIC Community Innovation and Outreach Project Update

In 2023, Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, a center of the University of South Dakota, was one of 36 WIC CIAO grant awardees. The project includes outreach to families with young children, free transportation to WIC-participating families, and free learning opportunities for service providers working with families and young children.

The WIC program aligns with several child abuse prevention strategies by providing support and education to parents, strengthening families, building social connections, screening for risk factors, and providing parenting support.

Community Outreach Continues

To date, the WIC CIAO project has participated in 18 community events, reaching more than 1,000 families with information about WIC eligibility and benefits.

Upcoming WIC Outreach will take place at:

• June 8: Festival of Cultures
• June 20: Granite Valley Park Block Party
• July 11: Meldrum Park Block Party
• August 6: Emerson Park Block Party
• August 15: Hayward Park Block Party

If your community or organization is hosting an event that you think could benefit from WIC Outreach, contact [email protected] with event date and time, location, and other details.

WIC CIAO Global Village at Festival of Cultures

Be a part of the WIC CIAO Global Village at the Festival of Cultures on June 8.

Get a spot to share your culture at the festival. Examples of interactive booths in the WIC CIAO Global Village: a display of spices and recipes, handouts with basic greetings in another language, a display about a special custom or holiday, hair braiding, henna tattoo, arts and crafts.

• Tents and tables are provided.
• Registration is FREE
• Receive a $250 stipend
• Registration closes May 15.
• Global Village vendors must keep booths open and have an individual present for the entirety of the festival, 11:30am to 4:00pm.
• Email Isabella at LSS to learn more.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Several upcoming free trainings are available for those working with parents and families.

Poverty Simulation Experience held at USD-Sioux Falls Campus

• May 2 (registration full)
• July 11 (registration now available)

Cultural Competency Series

• In-Person at The Coliseum, Sioux Falls Thursdays, beginning June 13 from 11:30am to 1:00pm
• Online Sessions Tuesdays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm beginning July 16
• On-Demand – request a Cultural Competency session or mix of sessions for your team. On-demand requests can be completed online or in-person (within Sioux Falls)

Empathy and Person First Training held online

• August 15 (limited to 20 registrants)
• October 17 (limited to 20 registrants)

Community Resiliency Model held at USD-Sioux Falls

• September 20 (registration now open)

FREE Transportation Available

WIC families can now dial 211 for FREE transportation for WIC-eligible grocery shopping and WIC clinic appointments.

WIC participating families in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City areas have access to free transportation to WIC clinic appointments or grocery shopping (using WIC benefits). Car seats are not provided. Dial 211 to schedule 24-hours in advance.

Please share this flyer with families who are WIC-participating or could be WIC-eligible.

Family Resource Page Launched

In partnership with Helpline Center, a searchable Family Resource page funded through WIC-CIAO is now live (beta) at https://familyresources.helplinecenter.org.

Resources may be sorted by zip code and type. The curated page pulls from 2-1-1 Helpline Center’s database, so please encourage those who serve South Dakota children and families to keep their listings updated. The page will soon be available in 10 languages.