WIC Module I

1. Organization Chart for WIC:

Regional
Nutrition
Consultan
The Director of Health Support
Services
Lead
Nutritioni
Nutritionis
ts

WIC
Coordinat
WIC
Admin.

Gather the following information about the agency and organize it in report
form:
Objectives, policies and procedures of the organization- PHS sees itself as a
provider of high-quality health services which responds to the needs of the
community. PHS not only serves its own clients but lends its facilities to and
clinical expertise to other groups in the community. Some facilities provide
after-hour free clinics, medical oversight for a homeless shelter, and
opportunities for health professional students to have hands-on experience.
PHS has a very high immunization rate related to government focus on
performance improvement in this area.
PHS operates on the principle of providing a one-stop shop for medical,
dental, social services, and outreach activities.
Budget and funding sources including grants- State funded programs: Migrant
worker outreach, Bilingual Child Resource outreach, Family planning services
within the Latino population. Federal section 330 funding, Medicaid, Medicare,
private insurance, patient fees and grants/contracts.
Available services- Services include: Dental, pharmacy, primary care, care
managers, on-site referral services, on-site laboratory, perinatal coordination,
vaccinations open to the public, social workers, and dietitians for MNT and
WIC.
Target audiences- PHS serves 7 counties in North Carolina, with more patients
from surrounding counties also relying on their services. The majority of the
area served is designated a Primary Health Care Provider Shortage Area

(HPSA) and Dental HPSAs. In 2004, 56% of PHS patients had a significant
language barrier. The population served is more often poor and
under/uninsured compared to the general population. Diabetes, supervision
of pregnancy and well-child care are the most utilized services.
Eligibility criteria- All patients are offered information about sliding-fee scale
care when they register, and all care is available in English and Spanish.
Criteria for monitoring program effectiveness- A compliance program is in
place as a comprehensive strategy to insure that the organization
consistently complies with the applicable laws relating to its activities and
delivery of health care. PHS is working to achieve the Bureau of Primary
Health Cares goal of zero disparities and one hundred percent access to
affordable comprehensive health care.
Strategic planning for future services- Make excellence the goal by identifying
best practices and how they may be incorporated throughout the entire
organization.
2. Relationship between nutrition care and the other programs within the
agency
Piedmont Health Services is a medical agency for Chatham, Orange, Caswell,
and Alamance Counties. Nutrition services is a department of the
organization that helps PHS fulfill its mission statement. The Nutrition
department consists of WIC and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). Medical
Nutrition Therapy is not currently available at all sites. At sites where a RD is
not performing MNT as a full-time employee, patients can be referred to
another clinic or a RD from another clinic can come to Prospect Hill to deliver
services.
It is the policy to target WIC benefits to Priority I participants (infants,
pregnant and breastfeeding women) and Priority II participants (infants of
women who had medical/nutritional needs during pregnancy). This usually
occurs through the primary care provider at the health services clinic they
attend. Periodic outreach to other care providers to ensure they are referring
to WIC is important.
3. Staff/committee meetings
Attended a leadership meeting at Prospect Hill Health Services on March 18,
2015. Departments represented were medical, nursing, pharmacy and
nutrition. Each department reviewed upcoming calendars and coordinated
schedules. Medical reported an increase in customer satisfaction and shared
a positive customer review with the group. Physician present stated she is
working towards goal of better improving continuity of care for patients.
Possible resident taking over labor and delivery shifts not currently covered
by health center staff at hospital to ensure health center patients will receive
better continuity of care. Also, wanted patients to be encouraged to get their

medications filled at health center pharmacy for easier medication

reconciliation.
Pharmacy, medical and nursing discussed conflict of interest in dealing with
drug representatives and agreed that they were not going to schedule
lunches with them due to interfering with patient time. Nursing reported a
good visit from Health Resources and Services Administration. Staff did well
on explaining code procedures, fire drill procedures and cleanliness and
sanitation were very good.
4. Nutrition care/education programs
a. Available services and target audiences
MNT is offered through the individual health departments and through
Piedmont Health Services. Currently, when patients are scheduled to
see the physician they will meet with the MNT RD first. The RD will
address nutritional concerns, obtain height and weight, take vitals, and
update medication information. They can order and interpret labs as
well. At the end of the appointment the MD will drop by quickly to
answer any questions and verify that the patient should follow the
directions provided to them by the RD. The medical note is filed under
the MDs name. The fee for the service will be billed and paid just like a
physicians encounter.
b. Eligibility criteria
Anyone is eligible.
c. Funding sources

d. Educational materialsEducational materials are provided as needed and at the RDs

discretion.