WIC Food Package Requirements for CHDP Providers California Women, Infants, and Children Program February 2009

Objectives After this brief overview of the new WIC Food Package, CHDP programs will be informed about: Significant food package changes New USDA required medical documentation An early childhood obesity campaign that promotes WIC foods and supports healthy habits everyday Importance of consistent health messages with CHDP

New WIC Food Package Changes WIC food package changes affect infants and children up to 5 years of age. No formula for breastfed infants during the first month of life No juice during infancy Less formula at 6-11 months More and new food choices: wholes grains, fruits, and vegetables

New Prescription Requirements CHDP providers will need to know about WIC’s new Rx requirements which include: Child’s medical condition Name of therapeutic formula prescribed Prescription for WIC foods when therapeutic formula is required Duration for both formula Provider signature, date, and contact information See attached provider form.

Healthy Habits (HH) Every Day WIC is asking the CHDP providers to: Share HH messages that support positive health behavior changes with CHDP providers Support positive health behavior changes with use of new WIC foods

WIC’s Healthy Habit Messages Eat a Rainbow Sometime-Anytime Foods Get Moving Healthy Habits Begin at Birth Make Half your Grains Whole Lose the Fat…Keep the Vitamins - Drink Low Fat Milk Let’s Go Shopping for the New WIC Foods Educational materials using the above messages will be developed and available for ordering by CHDP provider offices.

CHDP Collaboration and Support Suggestions for CHDP/WIC collaboration: 1. WIC’s medical documentation forms- Please review form now 2. Using patient education materials that promote healthy habits campaign 3. Using a brief WIC newsletter article in CHDP program newsletters 4. Other CHDP provider supports during this change Will these work? Other ideas?

More Information Visit WIC’s Website at: For questions regarding medical documentation or the WIC Healthy Habits campaign contact: Barbara Longo, Branch Chief Program Evaluation and Policy Branch