November 2012
Agenda
 Overview of one year certification periods
 Rationale for change
 Procedures for one year certifications
 Timeline
Overview
 One-year certification periods
 New for Children
 Breastfeeding Women (Current but guidance new)
 Infants (current)
 Similar to requirements for one year certification of
infants.
 Option for states to utilize.
 Transfers from other states may have 6 month
certification periods
Certification Periods
 Infant: To the last day of the month the infant turns
one year old
 Breastfeeding Woman: To the last day of the month
in which her infant turns one year old or until the
woman stops breastfeeding
 Child: Yearly ending with the last day of the month in
which the child turns five years old
Why extend certification periods?
 Increase time spent on providing nutrition services
 Critical to achieving mission of WIC Program
 Prevent nutrition-related health problems
 Improve health status
 Not intended as a cost saving measure
Mid Certification Appointments
 One year certifications must include midpoint
nutrition assessment
 Similar to infant mid certification
Components of Mid Certifications
 Anthropometric measurements
 Bloodwork (when necessary)
 Health and Nutrition Assessment
 Immunization check or follow up
 Nutrition counseling or education
 Referrals, if needed
 Food package changes, if needed
Not Required
 Proof of Income
 Proof of Address
 Proof of ID
 Rights and Responsibilities
Height and Weight
 Collect at mid certification
 Referral data less than 60 days old acceptable
Bloodwork
 According to bloodwork schedule
 Infants: screening between 9-12 months of age
 Children over 1:
 6 months after infant test


Around 15-18 months of age
Most vulnerable time for children to manifest iron deficiency anemia
 2-5 Years Old: Yearly, if normal
 Breastfeeding women: At Certification
 Follow up for low hemoglobin
 Referral data acceptable
Health and Diet Assessment
 Abbreviated assessment to identify major changes in
health status
 Found at end of each VENA Tab listing of questions
 Includes
 Review of last certification information (1st question)
 New concerns of participant
 New medical diagnosis
 Changes in eating pattern/food intake
 Changes in physical activity
 Check on immunizations, if appropriate
 Follow up on nutrition risks identified at certification
Other components
 Nutrition education
 Referrals
 Food Package
Enhancement to HuBERT
 Mid Certification Assessment screen
 Similar to CGS
 Only Height, Weight, Blood required link
 Others to help guide appointment
HuBERT Guidance
 Enter information via the participant folder
 Height, Weight and Blood Tab
 VENA Tab
 Referral, if needed
 Nutrition education
 Food package, if needed
 Benefit issuance
Timing of Mid Certifications
 Infants: at 9 months SAME
 Children: 6th month of certification (5-7 month time
frame)
 Breastfeeding women: 6th month of certification OR
with Infant’s mid-certification appointment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Income verification is not a part of the mid
certification appointment.
An infant certified on his birthday will be certified
for one year.
The Infant Mid Cert appointment should take place
at 6 months.
All of the questions asked at certification should also
be asked at the mid certification appointment.
Bloodwork will never be required at a mid cert
appointment.