One Year Certification Training

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.