Published: May 2025

ID #: 82566

Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet

Authors: Anderson CE, Yepez CE, Whaley SE

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The objectives of this study were to describe WIC service utilization patterns (in-person, telephone, video conference, interactive texting, online individual education, online group education) and assess associations of service utilization with WIC benefit redemption and continued participation. Study data include survey and administrative data from households with a WIC-participating child aged 1 to 4 years who responded to the 2023 California Statewide WIC Survey between March and August 2023. Participants who used any in-person or fully remote services had similar levels of mean benefit redemption (53.2% and 53.3%, respectively) and continued participation (83.7% and 81.2%, respectively). In the full sample, online individual education was associated with 2.2% higher redemption (95% CI, 0.1%-4.4%). Among those receiving no in-person WIC services, online individual education and online group education were associated with 2.7% (95% CI, 0.1%-5.4%) and 4.2% (95% CI, 0.6%-7.8%) higher benefit redemption; interactive texting was associated with 36% higher odds of continued participation (95% CI, 1%-83%). In-person and fully remote WIC services were associated with similar levels of benefit redemption and continued participation. Online individual education and interactive texting may be important for redemption and continued participation for some WIC-participating households. Continued WIC investment in technology and staff training for these flexible services may contribute to positive outcomes, particularly for families without in-person service use.

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