Holmes County WIC receives state recognition

  • October 4, 2009
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Holmes County WIC was recently awarded the 2008 Breastfeeding Project Award from the Ohio Department of Health. This award recognizes success in the promotion of breast-feeding by WIC programs across the state and is awarded to two programs. The promotion of breast-feeding is an important part of the mission of the Holmes County WIC program. Staff regularly reach out to the participants of WIC, local health professionals, and the community as a whole. The entire staff works to educate and support all women in their decision to breast-feed by providing consultations by phone, in the office and in the home. Raquel Miller, RN, a certified lactation counselor, also works to provide staff within the health department with current information so they can also provide support to the families they are in contact with. “I think it is important for everyone who surrounds a breast-feeding mother and child to give them encouragement, support and especially correct information to allow them to continue to breast-feed their child,” said Miller. In 2008, Holmes County WIC received a grant from the Canton Regional Area Health Education Center for a social marketing campaign including billboards, newspaper articles, public service announcements and posters that were used throughout the county. The Holmes County WIC program breast-feeding initiation rates and continuation rates at six months are the highest in the state. Dr. D. J. McFadden, Holmes County health commissioner, stated, “I applaud the efforts of the Holmes County WIC program staff. As a result of their dedication and hard work, Holmes County WIC has breast-feeding initiation and duration rates far above the state average.”


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