WICbits: What does a WIC appointment look like?

When a WIC applicant walks into our doors, they’ll be asked to sign in at a book in the lobby and then wait for the first available staff person to check them in.

Check-in includes verifying eligibility by evaluating proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of household income. The check-in staff will tell the applicant about the WIC program, including their rights and responsibilities as a WIC participant. Check-in staff will also assess the applicant’s use of other programs and will make referrals as necessary.

Once the client has been checked in, they will wait for the medical data staff who will weigh and measure them and do a finger-stick for hemoglobin.

Next, the client will see a professional (either an Registered Dietitian or a Registered Nurse), who will assign risk codes based on a diet questionnaire and interview, will provide appropriate education and assist the client in setting goals for improvement, and will tailor and print checks for the food package. Professionals also provide referrals as needed.

In Kansas at least, most WIC clients (that is, children from 1-5) are re-certified every 6 months–which means they have to go through the entire process including verifying eligibility again. In between recertification visits (about once every 3 months), clients have to come in for at least one nutrition education meeting.

Low risk clients have an option of completing an online educational module or reading an educational poster in our facility for their nutrition education meeting. High risk clients (for example, obese children or women with a low Hgb) have to see a dietitian for their nutrition education meeting.

My job, then, is to evaluate clients using a combination of questionnaire and interview, assess their risk factors, certify them for WIC, counsel them regarding their risks and give them the needed education to make changes, and assist them in setting goals for themselves and/or their children.

I love it.

I spend the majority of my time dealing directly with mothers and fathers, helping them obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to feed their families well. Sometimes I get to do breastfeeding counseling with prenatal women, sometimes I get to talk to postpartum women about restoring their nutrient balances. Sometimes I get to help parents learn how to introduce solids to their babies. Sometimes I help them understand how to help their picky children learn to accept a greater variety of foods.

I get to talk a little child psychology and parenting techniques, a little physiology, a little cooking, a little child development. And, of course, I throw in a little economics while I’m at it.

It’s wonderful. I love what I do.