Federal government honors Aurora-based VNA Health Care

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service this week awarded Aurora-based VNA Health Care the WIC Breastfeeding Gold Award of Excellence.

Agencies which receive the gold award demonstrate excellence in breastfeeding practices and support, officials said. VNA is one of only four Illinois clinics earning the recognition this year.

VNA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, benefits pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, as well as infants and children under 5 years old.

It provides breastfeeding support, nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition counseling, referrals to health care and more, according to officials.

The clinic houses two peer counselors, two International board-certified lactation consultants and three certified lactation specialists, officials said.

The clinic has a current caseload of about 4,500 people in southern Kane County. In the third quarter of 2023, 11.2% of infants served at VNA locations were exclusively breastfeeding infants, compared to the statewide average of 10.1%.

“We are honored to be recognized by the USDA for this work,” said Linnea Windel, VNA president and CEO. “Breastfeeding has many important benefits for infants and their parents and we look forward to continuing to provide this critical support for our clients.”

Nancy Ranieri, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Midwest Region Supplemental Nutrition Division director, and Stephanie Bess, Illinois Department of Human Services WIC director, visited VNA’s Highland Avenue clinic in Aurora this week to present the award to staff and leadership.

They toured the VNA facility and heard from clients who had received breastfeeding support from VNA.

“USDA celebrates VNA Health Care for an exemplary breastfeeding program with the Gold Award in Breastfeeding Excellence,” Ranieri said “Breastfeeding has been shown to improve the lives of infants and children as they grow … This award celebrates the impressive work done by VNA Health Care in guiding individuals through their breastfeeding journeys.”

Each year, the USDA recognizes organizations nationwide that have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, exemplary processes in breastfeeding support and education, department officials said.