COVID-19 Resources

Do You Need Assistance With Accessing Food for You and Your Family?

RENEW OR SIGN UP FOR WIC TODAY by visiting www.signupwic.com

Find your local WIC office and the right number to call. Most states now allow new WIC applicants to enroll over the phone and current applicants to renew their benefits remotely.

Find Free Meals for Kids here. Encuentra Comidas Gratis Para Niños aqui.

Resources from NWA

Reopening WIC Clinics

• Reopening WIC: Additional Steps Need to Be Taken to Address Clinic Concerns.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding the Reopening of WIC Clinics.
• Summary: State and Local WIC Agency Concerns with Reopening Clinics during COVID-19.
• Preparing for Reopening: Considerations for Adjusting WIC Clinic Operations throughout COVID-19.

Health Equity

• National WIC Association: WIC & Health Resources for Native Peoples.
• National WIC Association: Centering Black Mamas: The Right to Live and Thrive.

Waiver Tracker

• NWA and Milken Institute's State WIC Waiver Tracker - updated 6/11/20
  • In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, state WIC agencies have been requesting waivers from FNS to ensure WIC participants have access to their food benefits and other WIC services while maintaining safe social distancing guidelines.
  • To date, there has been no central location for state agencies or other stakeholders to understand what waivers are being approved or denied across multiple states. To address this gap, the Milken Institute Center for Public Health partnered with NWA to develop the National WIC Waiver Tracker.
  • It provides a consolidated source of information, categorized by state, region, waiver type, response status, and date. This enables state agencies and other stakeholders to connect with other states dealing with similar concerns and best utilize their time when applying for new waivers. The data for the tracker is pulled from FNS' WIC: COVID-19 Waivers by State webpage and is updated weekly.
  • When viewing the tracker, it is important to note that even if a waiver has been approved in a particular state, it does not mean that state has enacted that policy. It is up to each state to decide how to put their waiver flexibility into practice. 

Remote Certifications and Re-Certifications

Streamlined Remote Certification Options Guidance - posted 3/30/2020
This new guidance document was developed in partnership with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Altarum Institute. This document spells out the steps agencies should take in certifying participants remotely, including how to document identify, residency, and income and how to verify nutritional risk eligibility. The document contains helpful suggestions for gathering the information necessary for confirming nutritional risk, specifying a correct food package category, and identifying referrals needed. All of the steps are either currently allowable under federal regulations or, if they are not, specific waiver requirements are specified. If you have any questions about this guidance, please contact Elisabet at eeppes@nwica.org.

Messaging

NWA Blog Post: WIC Shopping in the COVID-19 Emergency - April 1, 2020 

Debunking COVID Myths - March 2020 - posted 3/24/2020
Guidance from NWA on debunking myths circulating on the internet related to WIC and COVID-19.

Messaging Toolkit - WIC and COVID-19 
 

Nutrition/Breastfeeding Guidance

Breastfeeding and COVID-19 Guidance (English version)
With various recommendations circulating from medical, public health, and breastfeeding authorities regarding breastfeeding and COVID-19, it can be difficult to navigate which resource is best to use. The National WIC Association recommends following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance for breastfeeding and COVID-19.

Guía sobre embarazo, lactancia y covid-19 (Spanish version)

Vendor-Related Resources

WIC Pickup and Delivery Requirements - posted 10/14/2020. This guidance document outlines potential processes and requirements for a phased approach to online ordering in WIC that ends with intelligent ordering with online purchasing. The document first describes the current state of eWIC, then clarifies the differences between SNAP and WIC when it comes to online ordering, and finally outlines the technical requirements associated with what the authors term “Phase I”, a Non-Intelligent Remote Order. This document is the first in a series, which will include three additional phases: Phase II: Intelligent Online Ordering; Phase III: Intelligent Order with Online Payment; and Phase IV: Smartcard. This document was developed by a subgroup of NWA’s Online Ordering, Curbside Pickup, and Home Delivery WIC COVID-19 Working Group led by representatives from Giant Eagle and including representatives from General Mills, Gerber, CDP; eGPC, Massachusetts WIC, Colorado WIC, Share Our Strength, Walmart, NTT Data, and FIS Global.

Technology-Related Resources

Call Notes - Exploring Technology Solutions for WIC During COVID Outbreak - March 17th, 2020
Notes from a call with NWA; FIS; CDP; Conduent; Solutran; Three Sigma; NTT Data; DXC; CQuest; Maximus; Novo Dia; Ciber; CMA Consulting; Burger, Carroll & Associates; and True North on technology solutions during COVID-19.

Supporting Frontline Staff

Self-Care Resources for Frontline WIC Staff
Here is a list of self-care resources we’ve compiled for the WIC community. 

Resources from FNS/USDA

WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Questions and Answers on Program Flexibilities During a Pandemic - Attachment A
WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Waiver Authority Under FFCRA - Memo - May 4, 2020
Questions and Answers related to COVID-19: WIC and the Food Distribution Programs
WIC State-by-State COVID-19 Waivers
WIC Food Package Substitution Waiver
USDA 2017 WIC Guide to Coordinating WIC Services During Disaster

Resources from State and Local WIC Programs

*The resources below are not necessarily finalized - those approved by FNS are marked as such. Use these as examples as your state develops its own procedures. Please contact each state office directly for more details.*

Please send your WIC shareable resources to Emily Gilcher, Education and Membership Engagement Manager, at egilcher@nwica.org. Please include context, if applicable; i.e. “This was shared on [state’s] Facebook account and shopping app on [date].” Or “This is draft guidance sent to FNS on [date]; it is not yet finalized as of [date],” etc.

Posted date = date posted by NWA on this webpage

Reopening Planning

Safety Protocol Complete Guidance - June 1-20, 2020 - Boulder County, CO - posted 6/22/2020 
WIC In-Person Operations During COVID-19 - Minnesota - posted 6/22/2020  
COVID WIC Clinic Best Practices (North Dakota) - posted 6/22/2020 
Contingent plan and procedure for serving clients during COVID-19 outbreak [Local Policy - SE Michigan] - posted 6/15/2020
COVID-19 Best Practices - Missouri - posted 6/15/2020
WIC Reopening Plan - Wisconsin - 7.6.2020 - posted 6/15/2020
Transitioning back to WIC In-Person Services during COVID-19 Pandemic - Phases after the USDA waiver expires -Wisconsin - posted 6/8/2020
Health Shields - South Carolina WIC - posted 5/27/2020
COVID-19 Best Practices and Suggestions for Managing WIC Participants in Clinics (North Dakota) - posted 5/19/2020
Sedgwick County Health Department Infection Control Plan - Kansas - posted 5/19/2020
Sedgwick County Health Department COVID-19 Recovery Guidance for Business - Kansas - 5/5/2020 - posted 5/19/2020
WIC Reintegration Plan (Framework) - SBH Health System - Bronx, NY - May 2020 - posted 5/15/2020

Disaster Plans

New Mexico WIC Disaster Plan - Tier II COVID-19 V.1 3.17.20 - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico WIC Tier II Checklist for Screening Applicants/Participants - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico WIC Disaster Plan - Tier I COVID-19 V.1 3.13.20 - posted 3/19/2020
South Carolina WIC Disaster Preparedness and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) - Human Pandemic - 10/19 - posted 3/19/2020

Remote Certifications and Re-Certifications

Boulder County, Colorado Protocol for Serving Participants Email March 16 Onward - 3.12.2020 - posted 3/24/2020
Vermont WIC - Remote Certification During Disaster – Staff Reference - posted 3/20/2020
Vermont WIC - Remote Mid-Certification Health Assessment During Disaster – Staff Reference - posted 3/20/2020
South Carolina 100-27 Remote Certifications due to COVID-19 Policy and Memo - 3.16.2020 - posted 3/19/2020
Oklahoma Policy Update - 3/19/2020 - approved by FNS - posted 3/20/2020
Oklahoma Tip Sheet - Non-Physical Presence Telephone Certifications - Policy Update - 3/19/2020 - approved by FNS - posted 3/20/2020

Online WIC Applications

Oklahoma WIC Program - Online Certification Application - posted 4/1/2020
Oklahoma WIC Program - Online Application Survey Flow - posted 7/7/2020

Telehealth/Remote Nutrition Education/Breastfeeding Support

Telehealth Guide for Local Agency Staff - Michigan WIC - posted 8/10/2020
Parent Guidance for Zoom Video Meetings - Michigan WIC - posted 8/10/2020
Parent Guidance for Microsoft Teams Video Meetings - Michigan WIC - posted 8/10/2020
Parent Guidance for Google Meet (Hangouts) Video Meetings - Michigan WIC - posted 8/10/2020
Indiana WIC Breastfeeding Guidance During COVID - posted 4/20/2020
Bay City Michigan WIC Agency Policies - independent agency response - posted 3/20/2020

Vendor Monitoring and Requests

South Carolina Vendor Monitoring Letter - 3/16/2020 - posted 3/19/2020
Letter to Washington State WIC-Vendors Re: Purchasing Limits for WIC Foods During COVID-19 - March 25, 2020 - posted 3/30/2020

Food Package Substitutions

DC WIC COVID-19 Expanded Food List - posted 4/1/2020
Changes to WIC Allowed Foods in Washington State - March 25th Update - posted 3/30/2020

Training/Procedure Documents

Connecticut - Staff Guidance on Talking with Participants about COVID-19 - posted 5/4/2020 (shared 4/9/2020)
Operations Guidance for Local Agency Staff - Google Folder - Colorado - posted 4/13/2020
New Mexico Disaster Mode Training Companion - 3.16.2020 - posted 3/20/2020

Designated State Websites for COVID-19

Washington, DC WIC - posted 4/1/2020

Press Releases

DHEC Provides WIC Participants Access to Increased Food Choices During COVID-19 Pandemic - South Carolina WIC - April 27, 2020 - posted 5/7/2020
DHEC to Offer 100 Percent of WIC Nutritional Services Over-the-Phone - South Carolina WIC - April 9, 2020 - posted 5/7/2020
"WIC is Open For Business" Press Release - Washington State DOH - April 17, 2020 - posted 4/17/2020

Breastfeeding/Breast Pump Guidance

COVID-19 Information for Breastfeeding Mothers - Ohio - posted 5/13/2020
Michigan - Breast Pump Guidance - posted 5/12/2020
Indiana WIC Breastfeeding Guidance During COVID - posted 5/4/2020
Massachusetts - Interim Guidance for Breastpumps - April 2020 - posted 5/4/2020
Nevada - Breast Pump Education (English) - posted 5/4/2020
Nevada - Breast Pump Education - (Spanish) - posted 5/4/2020

Signage, Brochures, Fliers and other Non-Social Media Messaging

"Call WIC" Sign - Washington State - posted 4/15/2020
"WIC is Open" Signs - Washington State - posted 4/15/2020
South Carolina Food Package Changes One-Pager - posted 3/26/2020
Boulder County Colorado Poster for Participants - SPANISH - posted 3/24/2020
Boulder County Colorado Poster for Participants - ENGLISH - posted 3/24/2020
Boulder County, Colorado Email to all WIC Families - 3.13.2020 - posted 3/24/2020
Boulder County, Colorado WIC Office Phone Message - posted 3/24/2020
New Mexico Public Health Offices Closed - 3.16.20 - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico Health Care and Social Services Program Brochure - posted 3/20/2020
Louisiana - Curbside Services Sign - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico WIC Formula Vendor Sign - March 2020 - posted 3/19/2020
New Mexico WIC Open - COVID-19 Sign - posted 3/19/2020

Social Media

Messages, Posts, and Graphics:
WIC Agencies Are Open - WIC Association of New York State - posted 6/20/2020
WIC Eligibility - WIC Association of New York State - posted 6/14/2020
WIC Eligibility - WIC Association of New York State - posted 6/4/2020
Shopping Tip: Milk - Spanish - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Shopping Tip: Milk - English - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Shopping Tip: The Store - Spanish - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Shopping Tip: The Store - English - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Shopping Tip: The Store Part II - Spanish - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Shopping Tip: The Store Part II - English - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Shopping Tip: Grains - Spanish - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Shopping Tip: Grains - English - Weld County WIC - Colorado - posted 4/6/2020
Louisiana WIC - Myth Busting Auto-Benefit Reloads Post - posted 4/1/2020
Minnesota WIC Post re Shelf Tags and WIC-Approved Items - posted 3/24/2020
WHO Breastfeeding Post - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico WIC Repost re Shelf Tags and WIC-Approved Items - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico DOH - Donate Supplies Post - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico DOH - Social Distancing Post - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico WIC - Myth Busting Free Formula - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico WIC - Warning re: Homemade Infant Formula - posted 3/20/2020

Photos

Response Procedures in Action:
"Quarantine Machine" Rover Video - Maintaining Social Distance - New Mexico WIC - posted 4/13/2020
"Quarantine Machine" Rovers Photo - Maintaining Social Distance - New Mexico WIC - posted 4/13/2020
New Mexico - "STOP" Instructions Sign for Participants at Clinic - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico - Southeast Clinic - ABQ- Photo - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico - San Juan Clinic Photo - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico - South Broadway - ABQ - Clinic Photo - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico - South Valley Clinic Photo - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico - Northeast Heights - ABQ - Clinic Photo - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico - Espanola Clinic Photo - posted 3/20/2020
New Mexico Drive-Thru Sign - Photo - posted 3/19/2020
New Mexico Sanitary Hands Benefit Card Handling - Photo - posted 3/19/2020

Other Resources

Association of State Public Health Nutritionists: Clean Away COVID Campaign

Reopening Planning

University of California, San Francisco PowerPoint: Integrate current CDC guidelines to develop safe workplace lactation spaces 06/29/2020, Pandemic Considerations for Lactating Workers in California

Health Equity

• Health Equity Initiative: COVID-19 and Health Equity Resources.
• American Medical Association: COVID-19 Health Equity Resources.
• CDC: COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups.
• Ensuring Equity in COVID-19 Planning, Response, and Recovery Decision Making: AN EQUITY LENS TOOL FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENTS (HIP/BCHC)

• NAACP: Coronavirus Equity Considerations.

• Black Mamas Matter Alliance: Black Maternal Health Week Resources (BMMA)

Breastfeeding, Infant Feeding, and Pregnancy During COVID-19

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Infant Feeding in Disasters and Other Emergencies (English Version
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Alimentacion Infantile en Disasters y Emergencias (Spanish Version)
• CDC: Caring for Newborns: Evaluation and Management Considerations for Neonates At Risk for COVID-19
• World Health Organization (WHO): Frequently Asked Questions: Breastfeeding and COVID-19 For health care workers
• United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) - COVID-19 Resources Page
• American Academy of Pediatrics: AAP issues guidance on infants born to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pregnancy and Breastfeeding during COVID-19
• CDC How to Keep Your Breast Pump Kit Clean: The Essentials
• California Breastfeeding Coalition: COVID-19 Resources
• California Breastfeeding Coalition: WEBINAR – COVID-19: INFANT FEEDING DURING THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD
• United States Lactation Consultant Association - COVID-19 Resources
• Management of Infants Born to Mothers with COVID-19 (American Academy of Pediatrics) - April, 2020
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding During COVID-19 Webinar - Harvard Medical School - April 15, 202
• American Academy of Pediatrics - FAQs: Management of Infants Born to COVID-19 Mothers
• HMBANA Milk Handling COVID-19 Infographic Final
• World Health Organization (WHO) - Q&A: Breastfeeding and COVID-19

Children and COVID-19

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - (CDC)

Medical Press - Coronavirus infection in children—it may not start with a cough - May 12, 2020

Story Collection

How is the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacting Infant Feeding? - Story Collection Opportunity from USBC
USBC Story Collection Summary Graphic: Voices from the Field - COVID-19 and Infant Feeding (PDF Version)

State WIC Association COVID-19 Resource Websites

California WIC Association
Nutrition First (Washington State WIC Association)
WIC Association of New York State

Articles

• Why We Still Don’t Know Enough About Covid-19 and Pregnancy - NYT - 7/10/2020 (PDF)
• Mothers Who Rely on Federal Food Aid Struggle to Get Groceries Safely During the Covid-19 Outbreak - Time - 6/1/2020
• After 3 Children Die, a Race to Investigate a Baffling Virus Syndrome - NYT - 5/22/2020
• Increased Risk for Family Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Pediatrics (AAP)
• Mitigating the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response on At-Risk Children - Pediatrics (AAP)
• The Crucial Role of Nurses in Public Health Emergencies - Nurse Journal
• USDA eases eligibility for retailers, foods to comply with WIC requirements as shortages hinder access - FoodNavigator-USA.com - 4/27/2020
• Baby formula shortages easing after coronavirus panic buying, but don't expect fully stocked shelves for months - USA Today - 4/17/2020
• A mom who relies on federal benefits can't get her groceries online, even though she had a fever and a cough: 'I'm confused, concerned, scared to death' - Insider.com - 4/14/2020
• Acosta Analyzes Evolution Of U.S. Shopper Behavior Amidst Covid-19 - The Shelby Report - 4/10/2020
• Worries over formula shortages have stirred interest in re-lactation. Here’s what to know. - Washington Post - 4/10/2020 (PDF version)
• Fact check: Avoid grocery shopping to give WIC and SNAP recipients space? - USA Today - 4/3/2020
• Shoppers urged to be more mindful when purchasing WIC items - CBS Austin - 4/2/2020
• Why You’re Being Asked Not to Grocery Shop Until Saturday - NBC5 (Dallas) - 4/1/2020
• City leaders urge shoppers to avoid stockpiling WIC approved items - WFAA-TV (Dallas) - 3/31/2020
• Families Scramble to Find Baby Formula, Diapers and Wipes - 3/30/2020
• This Mom Can’t Get Enough Food To Feed Her Kids Because Panicked Shoppers Are Buying All The WIC-Eligible Food - 3/23/2020
• The real reason to leave WIC-eligible grocery items on the shelf as you stock up amid coronavirus - 3/18/2020