WIC Program to Become Electronic toBegin in November

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Arizona’s WIC programs are going electronic, which for Gila County residents will mean a more convenient, discreet shopping experience. 

Samantha Jerome, WIC Manager for the Gila County Health Department, explains that eWIC will begin rolling out in Gila County at the beginning of November. Currently, participants in the WIC program, which provides food for pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age five, use paper “checks” to purchase certain foods at the store. 

The current WIC checks can be cumbersome and require the customer to pay for WIC eligible items separately. eWIC will give customers a WIC “debit card,” which works a whole lot like a typical debit card. WIC customers will swipe the card after their items are scanned, the WIC items will automatically be deducted, and the customer can then pay for the remaining items however they choose. 

Another benefit of eWIC will be a smartphone app that will allow WIC customers to scan barcodes to determine a food’s eligibility, readily check their balance, and electronically access the list of eligible foods at the grocery store. In addition, a customer’s WIC balance will print out on their receipt. 

Pinal County has been piloting the eWIC programs since June and “test shoppers” have been visiting stores in the Payson area to work out as many bugs as possible before the launch. Although the eWIC rollout will happen in Gila County over the course of months, Jerome says that Gila County WIC staff has been working toward this change for quite a while. 

Jerome notes that WIC and food stamps are separate programs, although they both work toward the same goal of supporting health. WIC reaches far beyond the grocery store checkout. Although getting healthy food in clients’ hands is a big part of it, the WIC program can also include breastfeeding support, one-on-one nutrition counseling, and other information and training for new mothers. Lactation experts and a staff nutritionist are available for one-on-one appointments.

Particularly for new parents, Jerome points out that there is so much information on the internet, it’s hard to know what to believe. Her staff is passionate about getting solid, sound information into the hands of new parents. “Sometimes it’s just good to have someone to ask, ‘Is this normal?’ and WIC staff are happy to be that resource,” says Jerome.

WIC staff tailors their approach based on each client’s individual needs. “Every family is different,” says Jerome. “We treat every individual as an individual.” Jerome is proud of how client-centered the WIC office is. “Everyone is very caring,” she says. “It’s so rewarding to watch kids grow up.” Jerome has just over five years of service with Gila County.

People can start receiving services from WIC as soon as they find out that they’re pregnant. Current WIC clients can look forward to hearing more about eWIC at their next appointment. If you’d like more information about WIC or would like to know if you might be eligible, call 928-402-4306 or visit the Gila County Health Department at 5515 S. Apache Ave. in Central Heights.