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Policy

Early Head Start (EHS) enrollees will be supported in connecting appropriately with WIC.

Early Head Start Pregnant Mom Nutrition Assessment Procedure:

  1. Each pregnant woman participating in Early Head Start program should have a Nutrition Assessment completed by WIC program staff within 30 days of entering the program. If a woman is a WIC participant, than their most recent WIC appointment will suffice to meet this criteria. If they are not in WIC– then Head Start EHS Specialist will work with pregnant client to get a WIC appointment completed.
  2. If a pregnant client is not willing to participate in the WIC program, then the EHS specialist should contact the Health and Nutrition Consultant directly to develop an individualized plan for the client. The primary goal will be to address barriers and work towards reconnecting the client with WIC. However, if client remains unwilling to engage with WIC, than alternative solutions will be developed that assure that the client’s nutritional needs are assessed.
  3. Nutrition screening and follow-up will be documented in the screening and referral sections of WebCAF.

Early Head Start Child Nutrition Assessment Procedure

  1. Each EHS child participating in Early Head Start program should have a Nutrition Assessment completed by WIC program staff within 30 days of entering the program. If child is currently a WIC participant, than their most recent WIC appointment will suffice to meet this criteria. If they are not in WIC– then Head Start EHS Specialist will work with the EHS family to get a WIC appointment completed.
  2. If an EHS family is unwilling to participate in the WIC program, then the EHS specialist should contact the Health and Nutrition Consultant directly to develop an individualized plan for the client. The primary goal will be to address barriers and work towards reconnecting the family with WIC. However, if the family remains unwilling to engage with WIC, than alternative solutions will be developed that assure that the client’s nutritional needs are assessed.
  3. Nutrition screening and follow-up will be documented in the screening and referral sections of WebCAF.

Policy Council approved: May 2010