(JACKSON, MI, January 27, 2023)
Two staff members of Community Action Agency have recently been named to separate statewide advisory boards.
Maraia Cochran, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in Lenawee County, has been appointed to the Michigan WIC Peer Counselor Development Task Force. Six Peer Counselors throughout Michigan were selected for the Task Force to help develop best practices on mentoring and providing career development opportunities for WIC Peer Counselors. Ms. Cochran says she’s honored to be selected for the Task Force and looking forward to the work ahead. “I’m happy to be part of a new team that shares a vision for creating a positive environment for other Peer Counselors,” Cochran says. “Opportunities for personal and professional growth will only improve the quality of services we provide to our WIC clients who are seeking breastfeeding support.”
WIC Program Manager Brooke Long says that Maraia is an invaluable resource for the WIC program and breastfeeding mothers in particular. “Maraia has been diligent in building a strong network with various community organizations with the goal of strengthening local breastfeeding education and support services. She also takes the time to establish rapport with our WIC clients, always meeting them where they are in their journey while encouraging, motivating and supporting them with their breastfeeding goals.”
WIC provides support for income-eligible pregnant women and parents/caregivers of children up to age five. Support may include help with certain groceries, breastfeeding support, and education about healthy eating. CAA is the WIC provider in Lenawee County. For more information call: 517-263-7861, ext. 2235, or go to: www.caajlh.org.
Codi Benjamin, Children’s Program Director, has been elected to the Michigan Head Start Association Board of Directors. The MHSA serves to promote and support Head Start programs in the state of Michigan and on the national level. Ms. Benjamin says she is committed to being an advocate for the Jackson and Hillsdale County Head Start programs offered by CAA. “In a time when we are experiencing long wait lists and a national staffing shortage, I felt it was imperative to represent the Hillsdale and Jackson communities and give voice to what is happening day-to-day in our Head Start programs.”
Head Start and Early Head Start are Federally-funded school readiness and child & family development programs for children ages 0 – 5 and their parents/caregivers. CAA is the Head Start and Early Head Start provider in Jackson and Hillsdale counties. For more information, call: 517-888-3768 (Jackson), or 517-257-9287 (Hillsdale), or go to: www.caajlh.org
About Community Action Agency
Founded in 1965, Community Action Agency provides a local approach to address the causes and conditions of poverty by promoting self-sufficiency in Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties through programming, advocacy, and leadership.
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