VENA Networking: Tools of the Trade

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VENA Networking Tools of the Trade
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Required Materials

• VENA Counseling Assessment Checklist
• Circle Chart from California WIC

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Objectives

• At the end of the session, staff will be able to
• List two ways to improve the clinic environment
  for the VENA process
• List two tools to facilitate the VENA counseling
  session
• Appreciate the value of sharing resources among
  clinics

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How Can Tools Help?

• They prepare the clinic, staff, clients for the
  VENA process.
• They help WIC counselors initiate guide the
  counseling sessions.
• They encourage WIC clients to walk away feeling
  positive empowered.

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Tools Resources for Preparing All Staff

• Texas WIC VENA Website
• http//www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/nut/vena-nut.sht
  m
• VENA newsletter
• VENA regional training PowerPoint presentations
• WIC Works
• http//www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/
• IDLs

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Tips for All Staff

• Make announcements during classes to remind
  clients about the new counseling process
• Have clerks ask the clients to think about what
  they want to talk about before meeting with the
  counselor

This gives clients time to prepare for the
session.
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Tools for Preparing the Clinic

• Create a Safe, Friendly Environment with
  Kid-Friendly Toys

Do an easy online search for waiting room toys
Price 299.95 on various websites
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Tools for Preparing the Clinic

• Welcome signs in languages spoken by clients
• Art or bulletin boards reflecting client
  population
• Adequate seating comfortable places to
  breastfeed

What has worked for you?
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Tools Resources for WIC Counselors

• Various tools are available to help WIC
  counselors improve their counseling skills
• Counseling framework
• Counseling assessment checklists
• Conversation starters agenda setting tools
• Importance confidence rulers
• Language line

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Counseling Framework
Establish Rapport
Complete Assessment Forms
Encouragement Collaboration Critical
Thinking Active Listening
Identify Explore Concerns
Set Goal
Close on Positive Note
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Increasing Your Confidence as a Counselor

• VENA Counseling Assessment Tools
• Use these checklists to see how well youre
• using your counseling skills
• Observe and help each other improve
• Versions are available from the state agency
• and WIC Works

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Example of VENA Counseling Assessment Tool

• Rapport Building Actions
• Smile
• Greet client by name
• Use respectful non-judgmental language
• Handle distractions appropriately

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Initiating Dialogue

• Conversation Starters
• FIT Kids flipchart
• WIC Works
• State Agency
• Agenda Setting Tools
• Circle Charts from California WIC

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How can routines help my family?

• Regular meal and snack times make things easier
  for moms and dads, kids eat better too!!
• Children need to eat often, about every 23
  hours.
• Plan for 56 child-sized meals or snacks a day.
• Children eat slowly, take the time to relax and
  enjoy special time together.

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How can routines help my family?

• Choose one to start the conversation
• Starting routines can be hard with little kids.
  What kind of eating routines seem to work best
  for you and your family?
• Regular routines (mealtimes, bath times,
  bedtimes) help parents feel in control and help
  children feel secure. Is this something you have
  tried?
• If you try making eating more routine, please let
  me know how it goes for you so I can pass your
  ideas onto other parents.

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Example of Agenda Setting ToolWelcome to
WICWHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK ABOUT
TODAY?Pick a topic below or suggest a topic to
discuss today.
Active Play
Pregnancy Discomforts
Id rather talk about..
Drinks for Kids
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Interactive Question

• Which tools have worked best for you to initiate
  dialogue with clients?
• Circle Charts from California WIC
• FIT Kids flipchart
• Other

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Importance Confidence Rulers

• Once WIC clients have identified a topic to
  discuss, WIC counselors then help the client
  explore the topic and behaviors associated with
  it.
• To help move the conversation along, WIC
  counselors may find it useful to ask importance
  and confidence questions to see where the
  client is at regarding making a behavior change.

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Importance Ruler / Scale

• On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being extremely
  important, how important is it to you to (state
  target behavior)?
• 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
  10
• Not Moderately Extremely
• important important

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Confidence Ruler / Scale

• On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being extremely
  confident, assuming you decided to (state target
  behavior) how confident are you that you could
  succeed?
• 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
  10
• Not Moderately Extremely
• confident confident

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Language Line

• DSHS WIC pays for language line
• Accessible 24/7 through a toll-free number
• 1-800-367-9559
• enter client ID 504020
• enter access code (local agency number)

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Tools to Take Away

• Goal Stickers
• Challenge Handout

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Example of Challenge Handout

• My plan is to do the following
  ______________
• The reward for my family will be
  ______________
• Name ______________
• Date ______________
• Post me on the refrigerator for a quick
  reminder

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Ideas from You

• Preparing the clinic
• Preparing all staff
• Initiating guiding the dialogue
• Increasing confidence of counseling staff
• Giving clients something to take away

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Objectives

• At the end of the session, staff will be able to
• List two ways to improve the clinic environment
  for the VENA process
• List two tools to facilitate the VENA counseling
  session
• Appreciate the value of sharing resources among
  clinics

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Thank You!