Pilot-Testing a WIC/Head Start Collaboration in New Britain, CT: Lessons Learned

Jocelyn Perez1, Katie Martin, PhD1, Michele Wolff, MPH1, Marilyn Lonczak, MEd, RD2, Grace Whitney, PhD, MPA3

University of Saint Joseph, Public Health Program1, Connecticut Department of Public Health, WIC Program2, Connecticut Head Start Collaboration Office3

Introduction

Findings

Lessons LearnedThe Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Head Start (HS) programs both serve low-income women and children up to the age of five years old, who are at risk for health disparities. Many families can participate in both WIC and HS, however many families drop out of WIC before enrolling into HS, or before the child reaches the age of one or two.

This project was created to produce a new system of collaboration between the WIC and Head Start sites in New Britain, CT. The State level partnership began in 2011 with the implementation of six focus groups with staff and families from both programs.1

This partnership is based on the belief that families can benefit from co-enrollment in both WIC and HS programs, and that staff can work together more effectively if they collaborate with each other.

Project Goals1. Increase co-enrollment in WIC and Head Start: children can benefit with greater impact if they are receiving services from both programs 2. Improve inter-agency referral process: increasing targeted outreach and referrals and following up targeted referrals may increase co-enrollment and retention 3. Coordinate services: sharing client information and co-locating appointments at a Head Start satellite site may improve retention and appointment show rates4. Share best practices: using the information that we learn from the pilot will improve collaboration across the state.

Methods In order to help meet project goals, the research team implemented several strategies: 1. A project liaison was hired to help the two programs strengthen a relationship

and facilitate collaboration – Spring 2014 . 2. An information session was held with managers from both programs – May 2014. 3. A kick-off event was held with all staff – June 2014. 4. Monthly surveys were administered via SurveyMonkey to staff in both programs

to measure changes in collaboration over time – June 2014 to June 2015.5. Exit interviews were held with managers and key staff members to gather overall

impressions with the pilot project – June 2015.6. A wrap up meeting was conducted – August 2015.

Results from the pilot showed that between 70-100% of WIC survey respondents reported collaborating with HS. A system to share data was put into place, and a co-location site was established at HS. It is important to note that much of this pilot project focused on creating a systems change, which may not show direct impact in program participation immediately, but rather we expect to see gains from the project over time. It is also important to note that the sample size was small, with 9 staff from the Head Start program and 10 staff from the WIC program completing the survey each month.

The major lesson learned was that it is valuable to bring the two programs together early to share information about services and educate staff on each other’s program (WIC/HS 101). Other lessons learned:

• Open communication is vital for a successful collaboration• Holding quarterly meetings helps improve communication and provides an

opportunity for staff to discuss the needs of high-risk families, to identify goals of the collaboration, and to keep on track

• Understanding each program’s schedule is important (i.e. HS school year calendar, WIC main site schedule). Ideally have a plan in place to take advantage of the Head Start fall enrollment schedule.

• Identify which HS parents are no longer receiving WIC, and their rationale for dropping WIC in order to recruit them back into the WIC program

• Reinforce the purpose of improving services and the health of families

Lessons Learned for Co-LocationCreating a co-location for WIC services at HS was a major learning process for both programs, and for the research team:• Co-location will be most successful if there is a plan to troubleshoot or anticipate

technology issues and if clinic dates are scheduled appropriately• Survey HS and WIC families about satellite site to gauge interest and establish

need• Identify room availability for WIC• Identify the type(s) of appointment WIC would offer• Advertise the satellite location to families• Understand that most technology issues (computers/printers) are temporary and

not a reason for closing the satellite

Next StepsThe WIC state office was awarded a new Full grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement a WIC/HS collaboration statewide, with intervention sites and 3 comparison sites. Lessons learned from the New Britain pilot are being used to guide the implementation of the larger system of collaboration throughout the state. Lessons learned from the Full grant will be shared with WIC programs nationally.

“It’s important for both programs to learn about what the other does. Become familiar with guidelines to both programs.”

- WIC staff member, July 2014References: 1. Martin K, Wolff M, Lonczak M, Chambers M, Cooke, C, Whitney G. Formative Research to Examine Collaboration Between Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children and Head Start Programs. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2013. DOI:10.1007/s10995-013-1237-6.

Wrap-Up Meeting In New Britain with WIC, Head Start, DPH and USJ Staff, August 2015 AccomplishmentsOver the course of one year, the pilot project accomplished several goals: A relationship between staff from both programs was established Updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU, Local agency) Revised WIC “Termination” letter to make it more friendly WIC/HS Co-LocationThe Co-location of services was the major accomplishment of the collaboration pilot project. In the winter of 2015 a WIC satellite office was created at HS, and was open once per month so clients could schedule their appointments at convenient times.

A formal collaboration between the WIC and HS programs has the potential to increase retention in both programs, enhance services for families, and ultimately improve health outcomes of children.

“One cannot stand alone in this endeavor.” - HS staff member, June 2015

Generous funding for this project provided by DPH Contract log # 2012 – 0120.