Progress Report: The New WIC Program

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has recently (within the past 2 years) implemented changes to the food packages, benefits transfers, nutritional education, and breastfeed support. Interviews were conducted to gather the reflections of Tarrant County WIC employees about the impact of the changes, the difficulties with changes, and possible solutions to the difficulties. Some examples of the impact from these changes are simplification of the program for clients, staff, and vendors, improved communication between nutritional counselors and clients, and increased emphasis on necessity of breastfeeding. The majority of the difficulties faced was due to resistance to change by staff and clients and can be solved through with preparation and time for acclimation.