Springfield Urban League

IWIC Frontline Training
2026-06-08 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Registration Closes May 29, 2026

State and local agency personnel working in the support staff capacity with the Illinois WIC Program.

Course Length 1 day

Class Times 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM

Course Description

This course is offered virtually and has been designed to address the needs of those, new and experienced, who are involved in the daily support of the WIC program. This training will provide training on WIC policy, income and eligibility determination, and a “hands-on” approach to the IWIC software system including: client enrollment, referring and scheduling clients and EBT issuance.
Planner: Monica Murphy-Hayes, BS, CLE

IWIC Competent Professional Authority Training
2026-06-09 09:00 - 2026-06-11 12:45 | Virtual
State and local agency personnel working as Nutritionists, Dietitians, Home Economists or Registered Nurses who will hold the job title of Competent Professional Authority in the WIC Program.

Course Length 3 days
Class Times 09:00 AM – 12:45 PM
Course Description

Purpose: To enable staff serving as Competent Professional Authorities (CPA) in the WIC program with the skills and information needed in order to provide services to participants.
This course is offered virtually over 3 consecutive mornings 9am-12:45pm and will provide a comprehensive view of the role of the CPA. This includes Anthropometrics, Diet Assessment, Risk Identification, Documentation, and Food Package Prescription, Referral and Scheduling and Benefits Issuance within the IWIC software system.

Planner: Monica Murphy-Hayes, BS, CLE

Performance Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate the program enrollment and certification process for various WIC participant categories including: applicant intake and scheduling, required anthropometric data collection based on identified standards, nutrition assessment and education as it relates to establishing a baseline for individual nutrition counseling and risk identification, food prescription, completion of case notes, benefit issuance, and referral.

Special Instructions

In order for staff attending this training to receive the greatest benefit, the attendee should have at least one month of experience in the role of CPA. Attendees must also complete the following on the CPA Orientation checklist:

1. Illinois WIC Management Information System (MIS) Basics – All sections
2. Review Administration PPM sections 4.1, 11.3 and 14
3. Review Certification Standards PPM 4.3, 5 and addenda(s)
4. Nutrition IWIC Assessment Guides (all categories)
5. Review Nutrition Risk Criteria
6. Review Nutrition Education PPM section 4.2, 6.1
7. Review Supplemental Food Delivery PPM section 5.1, 7
8. Illinois WIC Food Package Tables
9. Illinois Authorized WIC Food List
10. Complete the New User System Access Request; Initial Log In and Enrollment in both the Training & Production Environments; and WIC Coordinator must log into both the Training and Production environments to activate Staff Accounts & Assigning Roles.
By registering for this training, I certify I have completed the above Pre-Work to attend IWIC CPA Training
In order to receive a certificate of completion, you must attend all days and complete the assigned training scenarios

Course Code PT – WIC
Contact Hours RN:

Trainer(s)
Mina Caban, BS; Monica Murphy-Hayes, BS, CLE
Training Type
WIC

Using VENA to Guide WIC Services
2026-06-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Dietitians, Nutritionists, Nurses who hold the title of Competent Professional Authority (CPA) in the Illinois WIC Program.

Course Length Online

Class Times 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Course Description

The Intro to PCC training has been updated and renamed ‘Using VENA to Guide WIC Services’. This is a requirement for staff that certify participants to attend after obtaining 6 months of WIC experience.

Performance Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate effective participant centered counseling techniques by using open-ended questions, affirmations and reflective listening to guide conversations
Apply the principles of VENA to conduct strength based, collaborative and individualized assessments tailored to participants unique needs and preferences
Use behavior change strategies to support participants in setting realistic health goals

Special Instructions

By registering for this training, I certify I will complete and enrure the following before attending the live training:

Watched the following four pre-recorded webinars, completed the associated pre-work activities and print/access the Using Vena to Guide WIC Services Workbook to follow along during training. This takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
Pre -recorded webinars

Part 1: Introduction (18 minutes)
Part 2: Webinar: Assessing Protective Factors and Nutrition Risks (20 minutes)
Part 3: Sensitive Topics and Topics for Nutrition Services (21 min)
Part 4: Family Assessments and Moving from Assessment to Nutrition Services (15 minutes)
Prework included in Using VENA to Guide WIC Services Workbook

Activity: 1A Focus on Strengths, Not deficiencies (8 minutes)
Activity: 2B Probing for Further Information (5 minutes)
Activity: 3A Crafting Strong Affirmations (5 minutes)
Activity 4A: Avoiding the Expert Trap (5 minutes)
Activity 5A: Asking About Sensitive Topics (8 minutes)
Activity: 6A Connecting the Dots (5 minutes)
Activity: 7A Family Based Springboard Questions (8 minutes)

Attendance for the entirety of the training and participation throughout this training are required to receive a certificate of completion. Trainees will be asked to participate by speaking, utilizing the chat function, submitting activities, or other modes of interaction.
Access to equipment and training environment conducive to remote-based online training including: Computer with stable internet connection, camera, microphone, speaker/audio output (or headphones if within open work area) and a quiet space to focus on training and avoid interruption while attending the training.
Please note: If fewer than 5 trainees register for this training, it may be canceled, and registrants will need to register for the next available date.

Course Code Meeting/Conference
Attendance 5
Clock Hours (Social Workers) 5
Contact Hours RN: 5
Registered Dietician 5

Trainer(s)
Jennifer Allington, MS, RD, LDN; Melissa Banz, MS, RD, LDN, CLC; Jaclyn Castellanet, MS, RD, LDN,CLC; Ginny Belt, BS, RD, LDN, CLC; Jessica Gadomski, MS, RDN, LDN, Amanda Gelasi, MS, RD, LDN; Constance Herriott, MS, RDN, LDN, CLC; Valerie Koress, MS, RDN, LDN, IBCLC; Jennifer Nance, MS, RDN, LDN, CLS.

Registration for these trainings closes one week prior to the scheduled training date.

Better Birth Outcomes - Comprehensive (BBO-C) & Navigation (BBO-N) Program
2026-06-24 09:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
State and local agency personnel working as Navigator(s) with the Better Birth Outcomes – Comprehensive (BBO-C) & Better Birth Outcomes – Navigation (BBO-N) Programs.
Registration for this course closes one week prior to the training date.

Course Length 1 day
Class Times 09:00 AM – 04:30 PM

Course Description

Purpose: To enable the learner to have the knowledge and skills required to meet program standards in the policies, practices and procedures of the Better Birth Outcomes programs. This virtual and/or in-person training is designed to give new program navigators an overview of the program and cover each step of the services provided: client identification or outreach; assessment; service planning and resource identification; linking clients to services and coordination; monitoring services; advocacy and evaluation.
**Attendees are required to complete 3 web-based modules prior to the face-to-face portion of the training.**
Planner: Renee S. Byrd, BS, MSEd

Performance Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Client Engagement & Assessment

Objective: Demonstrate the ability to conduct or support comprehensive assessments of pregnant and postpartum clients, including identifying medical, social, and environmental risk factors.

2. Care Coordination & Service Navigation

Objective: Effectively connect clients to appropriate medical homes, social services, and community resources.

3. Communication & Cultural Competency

Objective: Apply culturally responsive communication strategies to build trust and rapport with diverse clients.

4. Documentation & Data Management

Objective: Accurately document client interactions, assessments, and referrals in accordance with program protocols.

5. Collaboration with Nursing Staff

Objective: Collaborate effectively with Nurse Navigators to support follow-up care and ensure continuity of services, if applicable.

6. Outcome Monitoring & Follow-Up

Objective: Track client progress and follow up to ensure engagement with referred services and achievement of health goals.

7. Program Knowledge & Compliance

Objective: Understand and adhere to the goals, eligibility criteria, and compliance requirements of the BBO-C and BBO-N programs.

Course Code
PT – BMCH

Clock Hours (Social Workers)
6

Contact Hours
RN: 6

Trainer(s)
Natalie Bullock, BSN, RN
Cheri Coffman, BBO Coordinator
Cecelia Eckles, MA, BSN, RN
Linda Evans, MPH, BSN, RN
Kabria Jefferson, MSN, RN
Tracey Kreipe, PMHNP-BC, DNP
Sharon Madrigal, MSN, RN
Tasha Stone, MSHI, BSN, RN, CLS
Cynthia Wilson, MS, RN
Cortney Woods, BSN, RN
Syed Zaheer, MPH, RN
Renee S. Byrd, BS, MSEd
Jennifer Bradshaw, RN, BSN, CLC
Vanessa Avila, M.Ed, BSW, CLS, CPS Tech

Training Type
Bureau of Maternal & Child Health (BMCH)

Peer Counselor Supervisor Training
2026-10-19 08:00 - 2026-10-20 08:00 | Virtual
Designed for new WIC Peer Counselor Supervisors, this is the official USDA Food and Nutrition Service training program for managing peer counseling programs. Includes supervising and retraining peer counselors, practice setting, scope of practice, hiring strategies, and program policies
PRESENTER: Carole Peterson, MS, IBCLC (The presenter has no relevant affiliations or financial interests or arrangements.)
Pre-requisites: open to any Peer Counselor Supervisor, clinic supervisor or those agencies exploring the Peer Counselor Program. You must be employed at an Illinois WIC agency or health department. You must be committed to finishing the course, including completing all requirements and sharing information as appropriate.
Who should attend: Any Peer Counselor Program Supervisor that has not previously attended the A Journey Together for Managers course is encouraged to attend.
Continuing Education Credits: Pending: 8.5 RN 8.5 RD
This training will be provided in a Zoom Platform in real time.
For additional questions contact: Audrie Mumphery at audrie.mumphery@illinois.gov
