Virtual Services Make WIC Available to More Families. Congress Should Make Them Permanent.

Parenthood can be beautiful as my children are a reflection of me. They voice the questions I was once too afraid to ask, and in answering them, I find myself reaching deeper, re-examining life, and becoming who I’m meant to be. But as most parents know, being a parent comes with challenges: we have to figure out new things, multitask, and manage our time in new ways. One of these new experiences is getting our small children ready and out the door for their appointments. Parents and children participating in WIC know this all too well. As part of the program, we usually have four required appointments at the WIC office each year (families with more than one child have more appointments). 

Until recently, we had to attend these appointments in-person. But in recent years, WIC agencies started offering virtual services, including telephone and video appointments, and loading food benefits cards remotely. These virtual visits have made a huge difference for me and my kids and many families like mine. For me, WIC virtual visits humanize the process. I feel seen, heard, and valued as an individual, and having my voice heard has removed barriers that once made in-person visits difficult.

Unfortunately, without action by Congress, WIC agencies’ temporary authority to provide virtual visits will end. There is bipartisan support for making virtual visits a permanent part of WIC, and for the sake of families like mine, I hope Congress will act.

In-Person Appointments Present Barriers to WIC Participation     

Research suggests that many families who are eligible for WIC don’t participate in the program because they see traveling to WIC offices as one of the biggest barriers. As WIC supports families living in poverty, transportation may be a challenge for many. Continuing virtual services will significantly reduce this barrier, allowing more eligible families to participate. Indeed, one recent study found that waiving the in-person requirement for appointments increased WIC participation by about 11 percent.

I can say from personal experience that the in-person requirement presented many barriers. First was the scheduling. WIC offices are often open only during weekdays, and telephone hold times can be long. If I walked in to request an appointment, the appointment may not necessarily happen that day. After I made the appointment request, the WIC office would send a letter in the mail with the date and time of my appointment. Appointments are often scheduled three months out, even though it can be difficult to predict work or child care schedules so far in advance.

Once I got an appointment, I would have to do some work in advance. Immunization records are required, and some pediatricians charge $15 to $30 per immunization record, which adds a financial barrier. Working parents have to be able to take time off from work and plan to take our children out of child care or school, because children are usually required to be present at the appointment, too. 

When the day of the appointment finally came, I would have to gather my kids, get them dressed, get them in the car and safely into their booster seats, make sure I had all the required documents, and make sure I had snacks and entertainment so the kids would be comfortable for the appointment, which can be a bit long. Now that my kids are in school, I try my best to only take them out of school for WIC appointments when absolutely necessary because their education is very important to me. 

The appointment itself consisted of a health screening for myself and my children. With this information, the nutritionist or nurse discussed nutritional education and personalized  WIC food benefits with me. At the end, a WIC staff member gave me an EBT card, along with instructions on how to use the shopping app and what I can and cannot purchase. I was also given a phone number to call and schedule another appointment, one month prior to the third month of benefits, and the process would begin again. Once a year, the WIC office would also check that I qualified for WIC based on my income.

Virtual Services Allow Parents to Choose, Help More Families Participate in WIC

When phone appointments became an option, it took the stress off me. The WIC office calls me to schedule an appointment that suits my needs, and I get reminders of the upcoming appointment. I no longer have to worry about missing work because the phone appointments are shorter and can happen over my lunch break or after work from the comfort of my home. I also don’t have to take my kids out of school and to the WIC office. 

Once the appointment commences, an over-the-phone health screening takes place using records from me or my health care provider. Then I get transferred to the nutritionist or nurse to personalize my WIC package based on allergies, weight gain, vitamin deficiencies, and other factors, and to review nutrition education. Once completed, the EBT card can either be mailed to me, or I have the option to pick it up from the nearest WIC office. Sometimes in-person appointments are still necessary, and WIC agencies have become adept at balancing in-person and virtual appointments to ensure that children and parents receive the care we need. 

WIC is an amazing program that has benefited me and my children over the years. As a family who thrives on wholesome food, having access to healthier food options has been key to my family's nutrition. Proper nutrition fuels healthy brain development, equipping the next generation with stronger, more capable minds. It is important for as many eligible parents as possible to participate in WIC to receive the benefits of having healthy, nourishing foods for their children and themselves. WIC virtual services allow parents to choose the kind of appointment that works best for them and their kids, which helps more eligible families participate. That’s why it is critical for Congress to make virtual services permanent in WIC. 

Ashley Blair is a lived expertise consultant.