Participating in WIC should be easy. FNS is working with state and federal partners to make the WIC journey, from start to finish, a smoother, more fulfilling experience for all participants by modernizing technology and service delivery. We are supporting our state and local agencies as they use technology to make applying for the program, scheduling appointments, receiving nutrition services, and interacting with WIC between appointments simple and convenient.
Key Activities
Grant Funding to Provide a Modern WIC Experience
To support state agencies as they work to modernize WIC, FNS awarded a total of $23,100,000 in FY 22 Technology/Service Delivery Improvement grants to 66 WIC state agencies. In FY 23, FNS awarded an additional ~$100M in WIC modernization grants.
State agencies can use these grants to improve technology and service delivery in a variety of ways, including implementing or expanding text messaging, improving websites and apps, developing online WIC applications, improving support to families with limited English language skills, and implementing data sharing or data matching projects to streamline enrollment.
Related Resources
- OMB Memorandum: Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience (9/22/2023)
- FY 2023 WIC Modernization Grant Notice of Funding Availability: WIC Modernization Grant (5/22/2023)
- FY 22 ARPA WIC Technology/Service Delivery Improvement: Communications, Data and Metrics Grant Summaries (12/12/2022)
- White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health (9/28/2022)
- FY 2022 Notice of Funding Availability: WIC Technology for a Better WIC Experience - Communications, Data and Metrics Grant (8/08/22)
- Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government (12/13/2021)
Streamlining Enrollment in WIC
We want to make it easier for eligible families to enroll in WIC. WIC-eligible families that already participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid are already income-eligible for WIC. But many don’t know and/or don’t participant. At the federal level, USDA is working with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help state agencies streamline WIC enrollment through state-level referrals.
In 2023, USDA released a policy memo outlining how state agencies can reduce the burden on WIC applicants and participants by sharing data and referrals with other benefit programs with similar income eligibility (e.g., SNAP and Medicaid) and with other entities, including doctors.
In September, USDA awarded a grant of approximately $10 million to Johns Hopkins University to support data matching and referral efforts at the state agency level.
Key Partners
Related Resources
- Request for Proposals: MORE WIC! Request for Proposals (8/14/24)
- Project Website: MORE WIC!
- Press Release: FNS awards cooperative agreement to streamline enrollment in WIC through data matching (9/21/23)
- FY 2023 Notice of Funding Availability: WIC Modernization Grant (5/22/2023)
- Policy Memo: Streamlining Certification Documentation Guidance (5/10/23)
- Policy Memo: Data Sharing to Improve Outreach and Streamline Certification in WIC (4/27/23)
- Request for Applications: WIC Enrollment via State-Level Referral Data Matching with SNAP and Medicaid (4/27/23)
Modernizing WIC Management Information Systems (MIS)
To deliver a modern WIC experience, state and local agencies require modern technological infrastructure. WIC MIS serve as the system of record for program data and touch almost all program activities and operations. There are many different WIC MIS in use, which vary in both the data they contain and how they interface with other WIC systems. Modernization of the services provided to applicants and participants has increased the need for improved functionality and interoperability of WIC MIS.
In June, FNS issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for a one-time cooperative agreement, anticipated to be awarded to one eligible nonprofit organization in September. This up-to-$15 million initiative will develop a WIC MIS strategy, addressing both near- and long-term steps to ensure all WIC state agencies use modern MIS that meet program and user needs.
Applications for this RFA close July 25, 2024. FNS hosted an informational webinar on June 18, 2024 to review the funding opportunity. Webinar resources are available at the following links:
Related Resources
- Press Release: National WIC Association Receives USDA Funding to Modernize WIC Management Information Systems (11/12/2024)
- FY 2024 Request for Applications: WIC MIS Strategy Cooperative Agreement(6/10/2024)
- Process Memo: WIC MIS EBT (2/6/2024)
- Technical Assistance: WIC MIS-EBT Universal Interface Specification (11/4/2022)
- Technical Assistance: Functional Requirements Document (FReD) for a Model WIC System (09/2008)
- FNS Handbook 901 – Advance Planning Documents