WIC
Hamilton Health Center Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
WIC Programs have earned the reputation of being one of the most successful Federally-funded nutrition programs in the United States. The WIC Program of Hamilton Health Center is a major contributor of healthy outcomes for the nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children of Harrisburg, PA in the following ways:
- Reduction of fetal deaths and infant mortality
- Reduction of low birthweight rates and increases in duration of pregnancy
- Improved growth of nutritionally at-risk infants and children
- Improved weight gain in pregnant women
- Pregnant women participating in WIC receive prenatal care earlier
- Children enrolled in WIC are more likely to have a regular source of medical care and have more up-to-date immunizations
The WIC Program of Hamilton Health Center has grown significantly throughout its history. Since 2003, the caseload assignment has grown by 4.23%, and the program has exceeded that caseload assignment regularly by as much as 7.36% monthly. The program is currently serving 6200 participants in Dauphin County, which is over 70% of the eligible population. These participants are served at three main sites, and nine strategically-located satellite sites throughout the county to ensure easy access to benefits for those with transportation issues.
The significant growth seen since 2003 has been contributed in-part by several outreach campaigns. Some of these campaigns include radio, television, billboard and bus ads. The most recent and most successful by far has been the use of bus ads. The bus ads were run consecutively for several months in the city of Harrisburg, increasing our participation during those months by 2%, as compared to participation during the same months of the previous year. The bus ads gave the program excellent visibility to a large number of residents in the city.
As a result of the program’s growth, significant funding awards have been received. Increases in overall funding starting in FFY 2004 has increased from $750,000.00 to just under $1,000,000.00 in FFY 2008. Our program has hired an additional FTE to help with the increased number of participants.
The program has received excellent reviews in the area of nutrition education. Since 2005, the program has been considered the best agency in Pennsylvania regarding education documentation by the State WIC Agency. Additionally, in 2006, the Heart Health objectives for postpartum women, designed by the program’s Nutrition Education Coordinator, were adopted by the State WIC Agency and incorporated into statewide objectives for all WIC agencies in Pennsylvania.
Risk assessment and education are the most important components of the program. All prenatal and postpartum women, infants, and toddlers are assessed at regular intervals by Competent Professional Authorities in the area of nutrition. Risk factors are documented, and individualized care plans are made for each participant. Mothers are counseled regarding each risk factor, using open-ended communication techniques. Guided goal-setting for each participant has been a very successful way of getting participants to take ownership of and responsibility for behavior changes.
Some of the risk factors pregnant WIC participants are assessed for are adequate weight gain, iron-deficiency anemia, adequate dietary intake, and substance abuse. Infants are assessed at the first visit (usually before 2 weeks old), around 3 months, 6months, 9 months and 12 months. The most important factors assessed are re-gain of birthweight within 2 weeks of delivery, adequacy of intake, adequacy of growth and immunization screening. Infants and toddlers found to be not up-to-date with immunizations are referred to Hamilton Health Center. 100% of all WIC participants receive risk assessment, education and counseling and follow-up on care plans.
Another important goal of the program is breastfeeding support and promotion. Since 2003, incidence of breastfeeding among African American local agency participants increased from 40.11% to 49.46% in 2008. A 4-step breastfeeding promotion technique is used on every pregnant WIC participant. A recently developed strategy has been the promotion of the “Happiest Baby on the Block” method, which incorporates using breastfeeding as well as other techniques to help mothers calm their babies. In the past year, 4 Hamilton WIC staff have become certified Happy Baby Instructors, and breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers are referred when needed. The Hamilton’s WIC breastfeeding coordinator is an Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant, and a WIC support staff member recently became a Certified Lactation Counselor. Two additional WIC support staff members have expressed interest in becoming counselors as well.
All WIC participants receive referrals to health and social service organizations. The participants of the Hamilton Health Center WIC Program are fortunate to be able to be referred to all of the programs offered by Hamilton Health Center. If participants do not have a medical home, they are linked to HHC providers, who can provide a large array of services. Participants without insurance are referred to Benefits Coordination. Pregnant and postpartum women and toddlers are given priority by the HHC Dental Department. Additionally, lead screening services are offered free of charge to pregnant women and children. Referrals are documented and followed up on individual care plans.
