No abstract

Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) delivers services. The USDA granted multiple waivers to allow flexibility in WIC operations during the pandemic. The objective of this study was to hear from WIC participants about the impact of changes due to COVID-19. Methods In the summer of 2020, 60 semi-structured interviews were completed, half with English-speaking and half with Spanish-speaking WIC participants in the Los Angeles area. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a deductive content analysis approach to describe responses and identify themes. Results Four themes emerged: 1) The pandemic has exacerbated the ckhallenges facing low-income families; 2) WIC continues to be a valued resource especially under the challenging circumstances; 3) WIC's transition to remote service delivery has ensured that families continue to receive not only critical WIC food benefits, but also nutrition education and support; 4) Lessons learned during COVID-19 can inform needed WIC modernizations to maximize WIC's proven benefits post-pandemic. Nearly 75% of WIC participants faced reductions in income due to job loss or reduced work hours. Nearly 60% of households reported experiencing food insecurity. Early in the pandemic, many reported challenges accessing WIC-eligible foods, resulting in lost food benefits. Approximately 43% reported getting food from a food pantry or church, with most (77%) reporting first time usage. Participants shared that even with the change to only remote education, they valued the information and were very satisfied with WIC services. The majority (83%) found the California WIC App helpful in informing what WIC foods they could purchase. Participants also reported that enrolling in WIC remotely was easier than coming in-person and they were comfortable providing documents related to income and eligibility determination remotely. Conclusions WIC has been essential in helping families cope with COVID. WIC's transition to remote service delivery has ensured seamless and safe delivery of services, helping families with young children during an unprecedented time of need. Funding Sources The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

Objectives Economic impacts of COVID-19 have intensified the burden of food insecurity amongst low-income minority populations, especially women and children. This study aimed to understand the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participant and local agency director experiences with the adoption of USDA federal waivers, designed to overcome operational barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 3 regions in California. Methods A qualitative cross-sectional study included structured phone interviews (June 2020-March 2021) in Spanish or English of 182 California WIC participants’ experience and satisfaction with remote interactions, enrollment or recertification in WIC, and shopping for WIC foods. Twenty-two local agency directors were interviewed on how operational challenges were overcome, and preferences on the continuation of specific waivers post-pandemic. The study utilized integrated approach comprised of deductive framework and inductive identification to organize interview responses and identify themes for statistical analysis. Results Most WIC participant respondents (69%) were on WIC prior to the pandemic; 39% enrolled in WIC in March 2020 or later. Most participants were moderately (41%) or very (40%) concerned about the pandemic with more than a quarter (29%) experiencing less income due to COVID-19 challenges. A third (30%) reported challenges shopping for WIC foods at the start of the pandemic with the most common being milk (64%), eggs (33%), and fresh fruit (33%). Despite most participants (63%) reporting household food insecurity, 70% reported how easy and quick it was enrolling in WIC services. Most WIC agency directors (59%) reported offering only virtual services. Nearly all (95%) of agency directors wanted to continue the option to certify participants remotely, and all directors desired to continue issuing food benefits remotely, both practices enabled by federal waivers. Directors reported that WIC clinics were successfully able to pivot to remote operations because of the USDA federal waivers. Conclusions WIC may attract and retain most families by incorporating a hybrid approach including both on-site services and remote options. Funding Sources The David and Lucile Packard Foundation.