Vermont WIC MIS/EBT Implementation Readiness Coordinator Network September 26, 2013.

Vermont WIC MIS/EBT Implementation Readiness Coordinator Network

September 26, 2013

Agenda

• Discussion of Approved Products List (APL) with Jackie Charnley

• Grocer Feedback – Fruit & Veggie Benefit Redemption

• November – December Meetings

• Feedback

– Ceres graphic styles

• Next Month Preview

Reprise: What is an APL?• The Approved Products List (APL) for EBT lists approved WIC

foods by Category and Subcategory.

• Example:WIC Food Cat Sub-

catDescription Unit Size

Cheese or Tofu

02 Pound

001 Cheese Cheddar (mild or sharp), Colby, Monterey Jack, American, Mozzarella,

Pound Block & sliced, 8 or 16 oz only

002 Lowfat cheese lowfat versions of above Pound004 Tofu Calcium set, any style, organic ok Pound 14-16

ounce packages

• This step is necessary for ELECTRONIC storage of the authorized food packages.

The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Participant (1)• Ceres creates an account for each household at the time of

certification and food package assignment.

• The account lists foods by category, subcategory and household quantity. So, a household eligible for two pounds of low-fat cheese (category cheese is 02, subcategory low-fat is 002) would be stored as:

02_002_02

• The account does not list the brand or type of low-fat cheese. Families choose from the authorized brands and types at the store.

The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Participant (2)• At the clinic, you issue a single card for accessing all

participating members’ benefits stored on the EBT Host

• At store, when a WIC card is swiped, the grocer system queries EBT “Host” computer to check if a scanned food item is WIC eligible AND if the household has this food item in their account.

• Household account is “debited” for quantity of APL item(s)

The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Grocer (1)• The Cat/Subcat items are further identified by UPC and PLU

codes (i.e. specific brands/packages of cereal, milk, dried legumes)

• The APL Cat/Subcat list with UPC/PLU is downloaded to grocers each day/week (depending on frequency of updates)

• When foods are scanned, grocer system “checks” the UPC/PLU against the WIC APL database. If WIC-food, item is “stored” until end of all scanning.

The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Grocer (2)• When WIC card is swiped, grocer system queries EBT “Host”

computer to check if household is eligible for WIC food item, and what quantity

• Household account is “debited” for quantity of APL item(s)

• Grocer must get state to approve addition of new UPC products to the APL

From Home to Retail Delivery – APL• Home delivery required limitations on brand choices

• Retail delivery means many more choices, but still must limit because system MUST have specific UPC/PLU codes to work. We can’t manage a system with all UPCs for all versions of canned beans from all stores!

• Trying to “harmonize” our APL brands with surrounding states

– Our participants shop in other states. Reduce complexity for multi-state chain stores

– Share the work of collecting and maintaining UPC/PLU databases

So Many Foods…How to Choose?

• Conducted participant survey to learn more about the way families shop

• Collected APLs from our neighboring states

• Visited major supermarket chains to see which forms, brands and sizes of WIC foods are already in stock

High Level Choices

• Reviewed allowable categories and subcategories

• Chose subcategories for general WIC food packages

– Whole grain choices (tortillas, bread, rice)

• Chose additional subcategories for special situations

– Fresh, powdered and shelf-stable goat’s milk

– Single serving sizes for homeless package

Next – Eligible Food List for Families

Talking to Families About Food ChoicesHomework

•How will EBT change how you talk to families about the WIC food package?

•What questions do you think families will have?

•What materials will be useful for staff and families?

Reports from the field

– What’s your reaction to EBT?

– What are reactions to Ceres?

– Any new questions or concerns?

Middlebury St J Springfield

St A Bennington Morrisville

WRJ Burlington Barre

Newport Brattleboro Rutland

NEXT MONTH’S AGENDAWhat’s ahead….

October 24, 2013 1:00pm – 1:30pm

• Announcement of MIS/EBT Contractors

• Collection of UPCs/PLUs for VT APL

• Review of other state’s APL materials for participants

• Feedback from the Field on EBT and Approved Products List

• If you will miss (or have missed) the meeting, please review the meeting materials and contact us with If you will miss (or have missed) the meeting, please review the meeting materials and contact us with any questions and suggestionsany questions and suggestions

• http://healthvermont.gov/wic/ReadinessCoordinatorNetwork

• Lynne Bortree [email protected]

• Jeanne Keller [email protected]

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH –

OCTOBER 24 – 1:00 PM