Use of a mixed-method approach to evaluate the implementation of retention promotion strategies in the New York State WIC program

Sekhobo, Jackson P.; Peck, Sanya R.; Byun, Youjung; Allsopp, Marie; Holbrook, MaryEllen K.; Edmunds, Lynn S.; Yu, Chengxuan

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.03.002

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Prior to the pandemic, WIC participants recertified during an in-person meeting with WIC staff wherein they provided proof of income and address or proof of enrollment in other public assistance programs. However, this imposed many barriers to WIC participation, such as the need for transportation, potentially long wait times, and the need to take time away from work [7,8]. Slightly over one-third of study participants recalled providing documentation of income and address after pandemic-related shut-downs; the research team verified via WIC administrate data that all study participants who reported their infant still received WIC benefits provided documentation of eligibility virtually, but the majority did so via adjunctive eligibility, or the ability of WIC participants to establish income eligibility by showing proof of enrollment in other public assistance programs, such as Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP [9,10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WIC Participants’ Perceptions of COVID-19-Related Changes to WIC Recertification and Service Delivery

2021

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Many Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics implemented alternatives to in-person service delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual visits and electronic document sharing. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe WIC participants' experiences with remote service delivery and recertification during the pandemic. Participants included mothers and infants who participated in a WIC-based intervention between June 2019-August 2020. All participants (N = 246) were invited to complete a follow-up survey between November 2020-February 2021; 185 mothers completed the survey. The survey assessed sociodemographics, employment, food security, experiences with remote WIC recertification and service delivery, and experiences with obtaining WIC foods during the pandemic. Average age for mothers was 29.2 ± 6.3 years and for infants was 17.7 ± .2 months; 80% (n = 147) identified as Hispanic. Approximately 34% (n = 62) of participants reported very low or low food security and 40% (n = 64) had difficulties buying WIC foods during the pandemic. Among participants who recalled providing documentation of income and address virtually, the majority felt comfortable providing information via email (60%) and text messaging (72%). Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with remote methods of service delivery, as well as overall satisfaction with the WIC program during the pandemic. While ~ 25% of study participants preferred for all WIC services to remain remote, 75% still desired at least some in-person contact with WIC staff after the pandemic. In conclusion, remote methods of WIC service delivery addressed existing barriers to WIC participation and were well-received by study participants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WIC Participants’ Perceptions of COVID-19-Related Changes to WIC Recertification and Service Delivery

2021

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“…Previous researchers have attributed suboptimal engagement to dissatisfaction with the WIC food package 16,17 ; lack of time, 18,19 transportation, 20 and/or childcare for appointments 18,21 ; increased income 19,22 ; linguistic barriers 23 ; and misinformation. 24,25 However, most studies on early termination and low redemption were conducted before the 2009 food package update, 26 which, among many changes, added F&V and whole grains to better align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.…”

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confidence: 99%

Caregiver Perspectives on Underutilization of WIC: A Qualitative Study

Gago¹,

Wynne²,

Moore³

et al. 2022

Pediatrics

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OBJECTIVES: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program that improves the health of low-income women (pregnant and postpartum) and children up to 5 years of age in the United States. However, participation is suboptimal. We explored reasons for incomplete redemption of benefits and early dropout from WIC. METHODS: In 2020–2021, we conducted semistructured interviews to explore factors that influenced WIC program utilization among current WIC caregivers (n = 20) and caregivers choosing to leave while still eligible (n = 17) in Massachusetts. By using a deductive analytic approach, we developed a codebook grounded in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. RESULTS: Themes across both current and early-leaving participants included positive feelings about social support from the WIC clinic staff and savings offered through the food package. Participants described reduced satisfaction related to insufficient funds for fruits and vegetables, food benefits inflexibility, concerns about in-clinic health tests, and in-store item mislabeling. Participants described how electronic benefit transfer cards and smartphone apps eased the use of benefits and reduced stigma during shopping. Some participants attributed leaving early to a belief that they were taking benefits from others. CONCLUSIONS: Current and early-leaving participants shared positive WIC experiences, but barriers to full participation exist. Food package modification may lead to improved redemption and retention, including increasing the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables and diversifying food options. Research is needed regarding the misperception that participation means “taking” benefits away from someone else in need.

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“…There was approximately an 8% change in both studies between online and offline states. The various educational initiatives, including WIC Fresh Start, CRUNCH, and shopping orientation all resulted in increased participation, though CRUNCH was the only program to report statistical significance [ 17 – 20 ]. While the non-participants only redeemed 39% of Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program checks, those receiving the intervention redeemed 46.5% of their checks (P < 0.001) [ 17 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Interventions to Increase WIC Enrollment and Participation

2022

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Our goal was to identify strategies aimed at increasing Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) enrollment and participation rates. The WIC program provides many health benefits for pregnant women, mothers, and children. WIC offers nutrition education, formula, fruits and vegetables, and other food to pregnant and postpartum women and their children until they reach the age of five. Despite the availability of this program nationwide, enrollment and participation rates remain low across the country. Several states have tried various interventions to combat this deficiency of engagement with the goal of increasing WIC enrollment and participation. We conducted a scoping review to identify articles based on pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently identified and screened articles. Subsequently, three reviewers independently extracted study details and outcomes related to WIC enrollment and participation rate changes. We included 14 studies reporting on 12 interventions from 3945 citations reviewed. Seven of these were published papers, while the others were final reports of USDA WIC Special Grant Projects. All the observed interventions had some success increasing WIC participation. Virtual interventions demonstrated the most success based on preliminary evidence. Successful interventions showed percentage gains in enrollment close to 8% and changes in participation over 9%. Overall, the literature surrounding WIC enrollment interventions reveal a mixed impact on improving participation. Many successful interventions involve an online or virtual engagement component which can provide educational resources on WIC benefits, nutrition, and living a healthy lifestyle. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10900-022-01131-2.

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Use of a mixed-method approach to evaluate the implementation of retention promotion strategies in the New York State WIC program

Cited by 9 publications

References 32 publications

WIC Participants’ Perceptions of COVID-19-Related Changes to WIC Recertification and Service Delivery

WIC Participants’ Perceptions of COVID-19-Related Changes to WIC Recertification and Service Delivery

Caregiver Perspectives on Underutilization of WIC: A Qualitative Study

A Review of Interventions to Increase WIC Enrollment and Participation

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