Published: May 2025

ID #: 82566

Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet

Authors: Anderson CE, Yepez CE, Whaley SE

See more related research

Share


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.

Related Research

November 2024

Identifying factors contributing to increased Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participation

In 2023 and 2024, after a decade of decreasing participation, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is witnessing a nationwide increase in program enrollment. This project will tackle 3 project aims to identify the policies, procedures, and technologies associated with increasing participation. Aim 1 will focus on California as a More

November 2025

Informing equitable implementation of SNAP food restriction waivers

SNAP is the largest federally funded nutrition assistance program in the U.S., providing support to more than 40 million Americans. This study aims to provide tangible information, insights, and resources grounded in SNAP participants’ preferences and feedback to support the implementation and communication of SNAP Food Restriction waivers, minimizing barriers to SNAP participation and benefit More

November 2025

Forecasting WIC funding needs: Supporting families, strengthening access

WIC serves more than 50% of all infants born in the U.S. The goal of this study is to build a forecasting model to estimate national WIC funding needs under various policy and economic conditions through fiscal year 2027. The model will also be designed to allow for updates to forecast funding needs for future More