title: Participant-centered education: building a new WIC nutrition education model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the readiness of the Western Region Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) states to implement participant-centered nutrition education (PCE) and to develop a PCE model for WIC service delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Formative research including on-line survey, qualitative in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observational assessments.
  
  
  METHODS
  WIC clinics within the Western Region WIC states.
  
  
  METHODS
  State and local staff and WIC clients within 8 states, 2 tribal organizations, and 2 territories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Readiness indicators of states to implement and expand PCE elements to include in PCE model development.
  
  
  METHODS
  On-line surveys were collected and analyzed. On-site assessment forms, interviews, and focus group findings were collected, coded, and summarized by themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Key themes from state and local findings guided the model development for PCE implementation in the Western Region WIC states. The PCE model must be flexible and systems oriented, contain strong training and mentoring components, and integrate cultural sensitivity to best reach program participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PCE model has the potential to improve WIC nutrition services and enable participants to make positive health-related behavior changes that will influence long-term health issues. Further outcome studies are needed to determine the success of PCE implementation in the Western Region WIC states.
authors.affiliation: Altarum Institute, Portland, ME 04101, USA. Karen.deehy@altarum.org
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deehy
authors.forename: Fatima S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Hoger
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kallio
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klumpyan
authors.forename: Siniva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samoa
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sell
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yee
mesh_terms: D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D006801:Humans; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D017145:Models, Educational; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000639:trends; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011632:Public Assistance