October 2023: Center Representation
October 2023:
Center Representation
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“SAMHSA Food and Mood Meeting
Principal Research Scientist Carmen Byker Shanks presented at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Food and Mood Meeting - Creating Conversation/Building Connections and Collaborations on August 22 in Denver, Colorado. The goal of this meeting was to integrate regional work in food access/nutrition and mental health and substance use disorders. In Making the Case for Food and Mood, Byker Shanks reviewed the convergence of food security and nutrition security, and explored how they intersect with child behavioral health, including mental health, adverse childhood experiences and substance abuse. Byker Shanks emphasized that combining different approaches and nutrition programs, such as the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact’s Walmart Foundation-funded food insecurity related measures and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), is key in increasing the purchase and intake of fruits and vegetables, increasing food and nutrition security, improving health outcomes and decreasing healthcare use and costs among youth.Pictured above: Principal Research Scientist Carmen Byker Shanks presenting Making the Case for Food and Mood.”
“WIC Technology, Innovation and Vendor Management Conference
Adjunct Senior Research Scientist Jennie Hill, Postdoctoral Fellow Mayra Crespo Bellido, Project Coordinator Cara Cliburn Allen and Senior Research Associate Sarah Kersten attended the 2023 National WIC Association’s Technology, Innovation and Vendor Management Conference in Portland, Oregon from September 27–29. Convening WIC staff from state and local agencies, researchers, technologists and stakeholders, this conference highlighted current technological innovations and their impact on the experience of people who utilize WIC. Conference tracks included participant access, nutrition education and breastfeeding support, the WIC shopping experience, evaluation and quality improvement, and data linkages to enhance recruitment and retention. On September 27, Hill and colleagues from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) presented updates on the WIC Online Shopping Grant.”