Lessons Learned: Examining WIC During COVID-19 for Policy and Program Recommendations Going Forward

Lessons Learned: Examining WIC During COVID-19 for Policy and Program Recommendations Going Forward Policy Brief • June 2021 THE STUDY Recommendation on USDA Waivers From June 2020 to March 2021, PHFE WIC and The study findings resulted in a recommendation from the final the Nutrition Policy Institute, part of the convening to retain all of the USDA WIC waivers, listed below, University of Califor. [...] Providing remote options removes • Remote staff work option barriers to WIC participation, makes WIC • State auto-issuance of benefits more “participant-centered,” and makes • Option for remote education on WIC App/Card WIC participation easy and convenient for • Option for remote nutrition education working families. [...] • Better marketing of WIC services (beyond food) is necessary so that more people know about the value of WIC, why the specific foods are included, the value of nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support, the support and referrals provided by staff, and how easy it is to access these valuable benefits. [...] Data sharing across programs is essential and should include improved systems for referrals in both directions between local WIC agencies and primary care physicians, including WIC enrollment, referrals for well checks and regular physicals, and access to blood tests and anthropometric data required by WIC. [...] • Breastfeeding support, needs of higher risk infants and children, and other concerns may be better met in face to face settings; agency directors noted that taking advantage of technology to streamline operations and build in efficiencies could leave more time for the critical person-to-person activities that make WIC the unique and effective program it is.