Community Health Centers and WIC share a common goal to improve child and family health outcomes for often similar populations. With about 370,000 New Yorkers currently connecting to WIC’s nutritionists, breastfeeding support, community resources, and healthy WIC approved foods, clinics around the state are serving about 50% of potentially eligible people. Hunger Solutions New York, through a partnership with NYSDOH WIC, is pleased to share new resources to educate more pregnant women, new moms, and families and caregivers of infants and children up to age 5 about WIC’s public health services.
An innovative new resource is WIC’s new online virtual Assistant, Wanda, an effective tool to help families connect to WIC. In less than three minutes, families can learn about WIC services, find out if they may be eligible, learn about WIC clinics near them, and even automatically request the clinics follow-up with them. Dads, grandparents, and caregivers of children, working families, and non-US citizens can qualify, too. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most WIC offices are taking applications and conducting appointments and nutrition counseling over the phone. Wanda is easy to use on a computer, tablet, or phone.
To help spread the word about Wanda, Community Health Centers can order and share this new postcard with patients. The postcard includes a QR code that takes the person directly to the virtual assistant webpage to begin the prescreen. You can order postcards at no cost.
There are many more resources available to help reach the families you serve. The WIC Help New York Resource Center, includes a ‘print-on-demand’ letter-sized flyer, and a QR code that can be downloaded and used in print and digital materials. Also available are high-resolution graphics for websites, newsletters, emails, and social media posts. Sample social media language is included, too.
Please reach out to Misha Marvel, Misha.Marvel@HungerSolutionsNY.org with any questions.