2011 WIC Special Project Grants

Massachusetts WIC Enhanced Referral and Family Support Project

State Agency: Massachusetts

Summary: The aim of the project is to evaluate the use of Family Support Coordinators in locations that do not have comprehensive social service programs. From the USDA Special Project Grant, Getting to the Heart of the Matter, it was found that participants had complex needs that potentially affected their diets. Staff have a difficult time assisting clients’ with issues that fall outside of the scope of WIC, thus, Massachusetts WIC obtained funding for part-time referral coordinators who provide comprehensive service coordination for families with more significant referral service needs.

Expanding WIC Services to Head Start Sites in Virginia

State Agency: Virginia

Summary: This concept paper addresses the issue of the overall low rates of child participation as well as the retention of toddlers (children two to four year of age) in the WIC program by targeting children in Head Start and Early Head Start. It also plans to address areas of duplicative services between Head Start and WIC and to improve collaboration between Head Start and WIC.

Development of an online facilitated behavioral weight management program

State Agency: Vermont

Summary: The goal of this concept paper is to determine how to adapt a reference model for an online facilitated behavioral weight management program that will meet the needs of prenatal women enrolled in the Vermont WIC Program and facilitates program participation.

Connecticut WIC and Head Start Cross-Program Collaboration Project

State Agency: Connecticut

Summary: This concept paper aims to provide a framework for how WIC and Head Start and Early Head Start can work together more effectively and to evaluate if the partnership can increase participation and/or participant retention.