Caregiver, healthcare, and WIC staff needs for promoting WIC enrollment in primary care

Objective: To identify how primary care (PC) clinics and WIC can collaborate to support caregivers in WIC enrollment from the perspectives of PC professionals, WIC staff, and caregivers.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were completed with PC professionals, WIC staff, and WIC eligible caregivers speaking diverse languages (English, Spanish, French, Nepali). Interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results: PC professionals (n = 12), WIC staff (n = 6), and caregivers (n = 17) supported the value and feasibility of a WIC referral form from PC. PC professionals and WIC staff felt that PC can play a role in providing families knowledge about WIC, which requires PC professionals to have accurate information about the program. Caregivers were interested in learning about WIC and beginning the enrollment process in PC clinics. Bidirectional communication and information sharing between WIC and PC clinics was valued but an area of needed improvement. PC professionals and caregivers noted unique WIC knowledge and enrollment considerations for speakers of languages other than English.

Conclusions: PC clinics should establish referral systems to WIC that incorporate the needs of families speaking languages other than English. PC professionals can support enrollment through accurately identifying eligible families and sharing accurate information with families regarding WIC enrollment and benefits. Establishment of increased bidirectional communication and collaboration between WIC and PC, including training for PC professionals and accessible platforms for communication, are avenues for promoting increased PC professional knowledge and awareness.