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USDA officials tour new WIC building
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Posted on Aug 27 2008
Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture were on island yesterday to learn about the CNMI’s nutrition assistance programs.
Nancy Montanez Johner, Undersecretary for the USDA’s Food, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences program, and Allen Ng, Food and Nutrition Service’s Western Region administrator, met with officials from different agencies and toured the new Women, Infants and Children’s building that is currently under construction on Navy Hill.
“I think it’s great they’re moving out here on their own,” Johner said while touring the building.
The WIC clinic is currently housed at the Commonwealth Health Center.
Johner, who was appointed to her position by President Bush, said she is especially pleased with the individualized nutrition plans that are available at WIC.
Johner and Ng were expected to meet with Gov. Benigno Fitial, Melvin Faisao, acting Secretary of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, and other officials from local organizations.
During the building tour, WIC Program Director Josephine Tudela said she expects to transfer 2,900 records to the Arizona in Motion program on Oct. 14. WIC is switching to AIM in an effort to expedite their record keeping. Staff members from WIC traveled to Arizona to learn about the program, and Arizona representatives are expected to visit Saipan soon.
Johner and Ng are scheduled to travel to Guam and meet with the governor and other health officials today.
