WIC/Immunization Linkage: It Begins with Culture

National Immunization Conference May 13, 2004 Sheryl Pickering Local Program Consultant Washington WIC Program Pamela Johnson Program Linkages Coordinator Immunization Program Presented by:

Overview Learning Objective Background How it Began Understand Each Other’s Culture Energize the Partnership Lessons Learned Next Steps

Learning Objective Illustrate the importance of understanding program culture when doing cross-program collaboration

Background WA State WIC and Immunization Programs began collaboration pilot projects funded 2000 – formed Statewide WIC/IZ Planning Workgroup

How It Began: Planning Workgroup Selection Immunization Program Grant funding for travel, meeting expenses Invitation letter sent to WIC and Immunization coordinators Members selected from responses submitted

Planning Workgroup Selection – cont’d Ensured balance of participation from: WIC Immunization Nursing Directors of Local Health Jurisdictions Medical Assistance Administration CHILD Profile

Asotin Garfield Columbia Clark Douglas Cowlitz Grays Harbor King Klickitat Chelan Mason Skamania Spokane Thurston Yakima Clallam Jefferson Lewis Pacific Wahkiakum Pierce Phase I Planning Workgroup Kitsap Whatcom Skagit Snohomish San Juan Island Okanogan KittitasGrant Benton Franklin Walla Adams Whitman Lincoln FerryStevens Pend Oreille

Planning Workgroup First meeting – October 19, 2000 Introduction - overall goals State WIC and IZ overview Historical perspective of collaboration

First Workgroup Meeting Establishing Common Ground exercise Useful definitions

First Workgroup Meeting - cont’d Shared with each other what is WIC and Immunization Program Who we are Program mission and goals Who we serve Where and how services provided Funding

Overarching Goal of the Workgroup To provide direction to the State WIC and Immunization Programs for a long-term relationship that is a win/win for both programs

Basic Working Assumption Both programs are of equal importance

Second Workgroup Meeting December 1, second meeting Agency descriptions exercise WIN-WIN exercise

Agency Description Exercise Form Name: Agency Name: Caseload/number of clients seen: Number of sites: Description of clientele: Number of staff in your program: Type of staff: Other services, offered on-site and/or nearby: Other interesting information:

What Does Win/Win Look Like for Immunizations 100% Access to IZ and WIC Visible Partner- ships Great Outcomes are Recognized Effective Data Systems Increased Funding Positive Relation- ship IZ available at WIC every-where (universal WIC access) Every WIC client will be referred for needed IZ IZ success is model for national success WIC-CIMS and CHILD Profile linked After initial funding opportunity WIC/IZ linkage activities and systems are self sustaining WIC staff love talking about IZ to WIC clients

What Does Win/Win Look Like for WIC WIC Gets Added Effective- ness WIC/IZ Linkage Adds Value Effective Data Systems WIC Receives Sufficient Resources Healthier Kids and Moms 100% Access to WIC and IZ Nutrition + IZ = good health MD’s see WIC as key partner for IZ WIC has access to IZ data – that is analyzed (e.g., tells them what the child needs) Minimal impact on client visit to WIC 90% of WIC kids up-to- date for IZ at age 2 Decreased barriers for WIC clients to get their kids immunized

Strategic Plan Strategic Plan was developed out of the categories of the WIN-WIN exercise Plan has three major goals: Linking WIC data system and CHILD Profile Improve access to WIC and immunizations Strengthen local, state and national partnerships

Understanding Each Other’s Culture State WIC staff attended 2003 NIC State IP staff attended 2003 National WIC Association (NWA) conference IP exhibits at annual state WIC conferences for past three years: 2001 focused on workgroup and VPD 2002 focused on project and 4:3:1:3: focused on Pertussis and Flu

Understanding Each Other’s Culture – cont’d IP staff donated “goodie basket” IP attend semiannual WA WIC Coordinators’ meetings Write articles for WA WIC, IZ and other newsletters to keep partnership in the forefront

Understanding Each Other’s Culture - cont’d Always getting input from each other Co-presenting whenever possible Site visits to WIC clinics Verbalizing/demonstrating need to understand culture

Understanding Each Other’s Culture - cont’d 2003 WIC Annual Report CDC Site Visit Above all - remember it’s about healthy children!

Keeping the Partnership Energized and Alive Communication, communication, communication … visible Be visible Keep up to date with activities Advocate for your partner’s program Be creative

Lessons Learned Funding – unfunded activities are a challenge Add-ons to WIC must be adequately funded Above all - be respectful of program missions and disciplines – Focus on healthy children, not agendas

What’s Next for Washington? Phase III Workgroup to develop a strategic plan for Pilot some form of linking WIC data system with CPIR Advocate for Immunization inclusion at 2005 NWA Conference Continue to share our successes

Pamela Johnson Program Linkages Coordinator Washington State Department of Health PO Box Olympia, WA (360) Sheryl Pickering Local Program Consultant Washington WIC Program PO Box Olympia, WA (360) Program Contacts