VENA Networking: Tools of the Trade

Required Materials

VENA Counseling Assessment Checklist

Circle Chart from California WIC

ObjectivesAt 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

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.

Tools & Resources for Preparing All Staff

Texas WIC VENA Website http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wichd/nut/vena-nut.shtm

VENA newsletter VENA regional training PowerPoint presentations

WIC Works http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/

IDLs

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.

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

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?

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

Counseling Framework

Establish Rapport

Set Goal

Identify & Explore Concerns

Complete Assessment Forms Encouragement Collaboration

Critical ThinkingActive Listening

Close on Positive Note

Increasing Your Confidence as a Counselor

VENA Counseling Assessment Tools

Use these checklists to see how well you’re using your counseling skills

Observe and help each other improve

Versions are available from the state agency and WIC Works

Example of VENA Counseling Assessment Tool

Rapport Building Actions

Smile

Greet client by name

Use respectful & non-judgmental language

Handle distractions appropriately

Initiating Dialogue

Conversation StartersFIT Kids flipchartWIC WorksState Agency

Agenda Setting ToolsCircle Charts from California WIC

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 2–3 hours.

Plan for 5–6 child-sized meals or snacks a day.

Children eat slowly, take the time to relax and enjoy special time together.

How can routines help my family?Choose one to start the conversation1. Starting routines can be hard with little kids. What kind of

eating routines seem to work best for you and your family?

2. Regular routines (mealtimes, bath times, bedtimes) help parents feel in control and help children feel secure. Is this something you have tried?

3. 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.

Example of Agenda Setting Tool

Welcome to WIC

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY?

Pick a topic below or suggest a topic to discuss today. Drinks for Kids

Active Play

Pregnancy Discomforts

“I’d rather talk about…..

Interactive Question

Which tools have worked best for you to initiate dialogue with clients?

1) Circle Charts from California WIC

2) FIT Kids flipchart

3) Other

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.

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 10Not Moderately

Extremely

important important

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 10Not Moderately

Extremelyconfident confident

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)

Tools to Take Away

Goal Stickers

Challenge Handout

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**

Ideas from You…

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

ObjectivesAt 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

Thank You!