UAA WIC Competent Professional Authority Training Program expands to Hawaii, Nevada

The University of Alaska Anchorages Women Infants and Children Competent Professional Authority Training Program has recently been awarded contracts to expand its model to Hawaii and Nevada.

  Delivered in a distance-learning format, courses are offered in nutrition assessment; maternal infant and early child nutrition; nutrition education and counseling; and Alaska WIC breastfeeding basics.

The partnership between the State of Alaska and the University has improved the quality of training for statewide participants and increases the consistency of training between states for similar job duties.  The adoption of the WIC CPA program's online model by agencies in Hawaii and Nevada enables these states to provide necessary staff training and address current public health issues relating to child nutrition.  The program's online format also provides access to residents in rural communities.  

"The WIC CPA Training Program allows adult learners to enter higher education in a less threatening environment and encourages them to continue with their education to fulfill the need for paraprofessionals in our state," said Danielle Rybicki, a dietician with the program.  Rybicki has been with the program since its initiation in 1999 and has continued to work for the program since its partnership with the State of Alaska WIC Program and UAA.  

The WIC CPA Training Program is a partnership between UAA's Culinary Arts & Hospitality/Dietetics & Nutrition Division and the State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services Office of Children's Services: Family Nutrition Services.  

The program has five primary components: self-paced training modules; instructor-led course; hands-on learning under the supervision of a preceptor; final exams; and continuing education.  Students, who are already employees of WIC clinics, are required to complete the program's courses within 18 months of the initiation of their agreement.