Missouri WIC announced an innovative digital data dashboard accessible to the public.
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Locally, it is administered by the Texas County Health Department.
The data dashboard provides access to in-state participation and certification data, along with benefit data, including:
•Participation rates by month and demographics (race, ethnicity, age, education level and spoken language).
•Certification rates by month and demographics (race, ethnicity, age, education level and spoken language).
•Benefit redemption and utilization by food category.
Missouri WIC offers healthy food choices that target specific essential nutrients often missing from participants’ diets, such as iron, calcium, protein and vitamins A, C and D. To meet these needs, the WIC food package includes fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, whole grains, milk and yogurt along with other nutritious foods.
The new dashboard can be accessed at WIC.Mo.Gov on the Data and Statistical Reports page. (https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/dashboard/index.php)
It does not contain individual participant information but provides access to in-state participation and certification data by state and county.
In Texas County, the participation shows: pregnant (81), breastfeeding (50), non-breastfeeding (33), infants (131) and children (376).
Angie Oesterly, Missouri WIC director, invites stakeholders to take full advantage of the dashboard. “The Missouri WIC data dashboard provides additional transparency about the services it provides,” she said. “The dashboard will help our stakeholders make informed decisions about the services and supports offered to Missourians we mutually serve.”
To qualify for the WIC program, participants must meet the following requirements:
•Be a pregnant, breastfeeding or new mother, an infant up to age 1 or a child up to their 5th birthday.
•Be a resident of Missouri.
•Meet income eligibility requirements.
Contact the Texas County Health Department at 417-967-4131.
