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Archived News
March 2009
February 2009
Announcing the Final Washington WIC Allowed Food List
We are pleased to announce the final Washington WIC Nutrition Program allowed food list that will begin October 1, 2009. This new list is based on recent changes in federal laws that:
- Align WIC foods with national dietary recommendations.
- Promote and support breastfeeding.
- Increase the variety of foods available to WIC clients.
- Accommodate cultural food preferences.
After significant research, input from clients, and comments from other stakeholders, foods were selected based on:
- Requirements of the federal rule.
- Cost.
- Availability.
- Clients' preferences.
- minimizing confusion at the grocery store
We believe this list offers the best possible choices to Washington WIC clients. To view the new food list and the Frequently Asked Questions please visit our New Foods page.
Updated Retailer Information
The Information for Retailers section of the site has been revamped! You can now find WIC Retailer application forms and related materials for the new three year contract cycle beginning April 1, 2009. Other information, such as minimum stock level requirements and approved formula suppliers, has also been added.
November 2008
Using WIC Checks Streaming Video Now Available
This video highlights the key points of cashing WIC checks. How
to shop for WIC approved foods is also shown. Staff should
continue to cover WIC rules and check education with clients;
the video will support the messages and fill in the pieces staff
may not have covered with the client.
Streaming Video
(Windows Media Player is required to view; Run time
approximately 10:52)
Transcripts (PDF)
The video is also available for WIC clinic staff to order
from the
Department of Printing Fulfillment Center. It is available
in both DVD and VHS format, and comes in Arabic, Chinese,
English, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
August 2008
Client Services 5.0
We are anticipating statewide implementation of this software
and related policy changes on November 3, 2008.
Client Services Version 5.0 will provide exciting changes that
will improve in-state client transfers and will flag records of
clients who have been disqualified due to program
non-compliance. Visit our
CIMS page for more information.
March 2008
New "Comments" Page
The WIC Web site now has a Comments page! It can be found at
www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/WIC/contact.htm, and it has also been
added to the site directory on the left side of each page. Topic
suggestions are provided, and clicking on one will bring up an
email with the selected topic in the subject line. You will see
us use this site as one more way to get input from clinic staff,
clients, and the public on specific projects like the State Plan
or the New Food Choices 2009 project.
February 2008
2007 WIC Annual Report Order Form
The 2007 Annual Report is currently being printed along with the
2007 County and Agency Fact Sheets. We are now accepting
order requests (PDF, 25.64 KB) for the 2007 WIC Annual
Report and County/Agency Fact Sheets. You may e-mail, fax or
mail your order requests to the WIC Admin Unit -- the
mailing/fax information is listed on the order form. We plan to
mail initial orders to requestors before the end of March. Order
forms received after March 2008, will be processed in
approximately 10 business days.
December 2007
New Interim Food Rule
On December 6, 2007, an interim final rule revising the WIC food
packages was published in the Federal Register. The changes to
the WIC food packages are designed to improve the nutrition and
health of the nation’s low-income pregnant women, new mothers,
infants and young children. The new food packages include fruits
and vegetables and whole grains.
The Washington State WIC Nutrition Program is pleased to
announce in conjunction with the Food and Nutrition Service, the
release of a series of resources for WIC staff on the New WIC
Food Packages. The materials include tools for public relations,
participant education, staff education and training, and
breastfeeding promotion and support. Many of the materials are
already up on WIC Works and more will be added soon.
We hope you find these tools to be helpful. You can access
them by visiting
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Learning_Center/Food_Packages.html.
To learn more about the food packages and read the Interim
Rule visit the Web site for the Food and Nutrition Service at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/regspublished/foodpackages-interimrule.htm.
November 2007
State Conference Materials Now Online
These materials are from the 2007 State WIC Conference and are
designed to support staff in transitioning to using new
assessment questions, new risk factors, and the Circle Charts as
new nutrition education tools. Visit the
Clinic Forms & Materials page to download.
WIC Listens Report
The WIC Listens Report is now available on this Web site. Last
year almost 2000 WIC families, retailers and staff shared their
experience of the WIC Program and their ideas on how to help WIC
families follow the rules. We heard from many different types
of people from around the state in focus groups, individual
interviews, and the WIC Listens survey. In this report, you'll
find suggestions from these very different groups on how to help
WIC families follow WIC rules. View the
Executive Summary.
July 2007
October 2007 Infant Formula Change
WIC encourages breastfeeding for all babies, but not all
families choose or are able to do so.
For families that do not breastfeed, WIC supplements their
formula through WIC checks. Because formula is our most costly
item, WIC contracts with infant formula manufacturers in
exchange for a rebate on infant formula purchased with WIC
checks. This rebate helps offset WIC's food costs, and those
savings allow us to serve an estimated 75,000 more clients per
year.
Beginning October 1, 2007 Ross will be the
WIC supplier for both milk-based and soy-based infant formulas.
Ross products Similac Advance and Isomil Advance will be primary
WIC formulas. For the complete list of formulas we will offer
see the
Washington State WIC Approved Formulas List (PDF, 33.99 KB).
Documents posted in PDF version on the Department of Health
Web site will be made available on request to users who are unable
to download or view them. For persons with disabilities, PDF
documents will be made available on request in other formats. To
submit a request, contact
WIC's Subsite Developer. Download the free PDF viewer
here.
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