Our Mission

    NCALND promotes good nutrition and health in communities by
    establishing linkages and partnerships with key agencies and
    organizations with an impact on nutrition.  

    The NCALND is  proactive in issues concerning public health
    nutrition, encouraging/participating in research efforts, and
    advocating and or/planning appropriate training for public health
    personnel.
Page Title
    History of NCALND

    NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL NUTRITION
    DIRECTORS  

    In 1987 an idea to form a statewide association for local nutrition
    directors began to formulate.  Other states had formed similar
    organizations to advocate for nutrition programs.  The National WIC
    Association encouraged states to organize, and Alice Lenihan, the
    North Carolina State Nutrition Director gave her full support.

    On November 6, 1987 the "Interim Committee" held its first meeting
    in Raleigh, the state capital. Interim committee members attending
    were:

         Tom Bridges, Craven County Health Department;

         Nancy Greene, Guilford County Health Department;

         Doris E. Jefferson, Alamance County Health Department;

         Dicie Alston, Appalachian Health District;

        Jan Keever, Catawba County Health Department;

         Betsy Davis, Lincoln Community Health Center;

         Miriam Peterson, Wake County Human Services Agency;

         Tabandeh Zand, New Hanover County Health Department,
         and;

        Carolyn Sparks, Regional Nutrition Consultant (NC Health &
         Human Services, Nutrition Services Branch).

    Working diligently, the Interim Committee met monthly and drafted
    bylaws by April 1998. The bylaws stated that the purpose of
    NCALND was:

    1.   Establish and maintain effective communication with other   
          agencies and organizations with interest in community
          nutrition;
    2.   Address legislation concerning nutrition and other related
          areas;
    3.   Address policy concerning nutrition and other related areas;  
    4.   Advocate for public health nutrition programs and to provide
          a forum for interchange of ideas and expertise among
          nutrition programs.

    An invitation to join NCALND was sent to all North Carolina local
    nutrition directors on August   11, 1988.  On October 19, 1988, at the
    annual N.C. WIC Conference, bylaws were adopted, officers elected,
    and a new organization was born.  Fifty-two members joined that
    first year, each paying annual membership dues of $5.00.

    In 1993 NCALND held its first strategic planning meeting and had 70
    members.     

    In 1994 fund-raising began for scholarships to aid public health
    nutritionists wanting to increase their professional development.  
    One scholarship was named the “Nancy Greene Scholarship” in
    memory of the past Guilford County Nutrition Director who died
    prematurely in May 1992.  This scholarship is given each year to the
    scholarship recipient who has the most public health nutrition
    experience.  Three scholarships were awarded in 1995, and the
    number of scholarships awarded varies from year to year.  In 2006
    NCALND awarded 3 scholarships, bringing the total to 42 given in
    the 12 years since fund-raising began.  Recipient names can be
    found on the scholarship section of our web page.    
       
    In 1995 the original brochure about NCALND was first distributed at
    “WIC Basic Training” to introduce the association to new WIC
    directors.  NCALND continues to invite new WIC directors and lead
    nutritionists to join so they network with other nutrition directors
    and add new talent to NCALND's membership.  

    In 1997 a “fax tree” replaced the “phone tree” which served to
    quickly share new information (especially legislative concerns)
    among members.  

    Since 2000 NCALND has helped to organize the annual NC WIC
    Conference. In 2001 NCALND took the lead role to organize the
    conference and hosted an authentic Eastern NC “Pig Pickin” at the
    NC Museum of Natural History in downtown Raleigh.

    NCALND continues to be involved in planning and co-sponsoring the
    annual state WIC Conference. An Executive Board member is on
    each annual planning committee. NCALND members often serve as
    speakers and moderators at the conference.

    In 2002 NCALND launched “WIC Tool Time” as a means to share
    “tools” to assist with routine challenges of nutrition directors in
    administration, clinical management, customer service and HSIS
    (NC's computer system for public health: Health Services
    Information System). Tools include templates adopted by local WIC
    programs, forms, “cheat sheets”, ideas, surveys, policies and
    procedures, etc. Such aids have been e-mailed almost monthly to
    NCALND members since the inception of “Tool Time”.

    Also in 2002 NCALND led a major legislative advocacy effort to
    prevent almost $1.4 million in budget cuts, both state and federal.
    This helped to keep critical programs like the “Special Infant
    Formula” and “WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program”. The
    Special Infant Formula Program continues to be protected to date.
    The WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program was eliminated in 2003,
    however, in 2004 NCALND-led advocacy worked to convince state
    legislators to reinstate the Farmers Market Nutrition Program,
    which is still going strong.  

    NCALND continues sponsored numerous workshops and
    teleconferences, including topics such as: performance appraisals;
    time management; mentoring; team development; stress reduction;
    special formulas and gestational diabetes.

    NCALND continues to advocate for strong public health nutrition
    programs and provide networking opportunities for North Carolina’s
    local public health nutrition leaders.
NCALND's
 Scholarship
Recipients for 2006 are:

Elizabeth Hilliard Catawba County (Nancy Greene Scholaship)

Pamela Paite

Union County

 

Jennifer Satkowiak Moore County