Health Professionals and
Community Partners

Working With WIC

WIC is proud to offer healthy foods and experts in nutrition, health, and breastfeeding to assist families at critical periods of growth and development.

CDPH/WIC Division counts on health care providers to refer WIC-eligible families to the WIC Program.

Whether you work in a hospital, the community or a clinic, WIC is here to help your patient population!

• How WIC Helps
• Medical Documentation
• Blood Work Requirement
• WIC Eligible Formulas

WIC Outreach Materials

• California Families Grow Healthy with WIC | Spanish
• Outreach Materials Order Form for CA Non-WIC Programs Only

WIC Breastfeeding Support Services

• Contra Costa County Breastfeeding Resource Guide | Spanish
• About Regional Breastfeeding Liaison (RBL) Program
• Partnering with RBL Program
• WIC Breastfeeding Support Services

Therapeutic Formula

A WIC participant may have a medical condition and need therapeutic formula that is not a WIC contract formula. Therapeutic formulas should be covered by the WIC participant's health plan when the clinician provides adequate medical justification. Should a WIC participant be denied therapeutic formula coverage by his or her health plan (Medi-Cal or other health insurance), the WIC Program may provide the therapeutic formula.

Click here for more information on therapeutic formula

Clinical Guidelines and References

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Guidance for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM)
• Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
• Infant Risk Center – Dr. Thomas Hale

Residency Rotation Program

Breastfeeding Research and Data

Resources for Hospitals

Forms

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  Residency Rotation Program

  Purpose

  To foster collaborative efforts between Pediatricians and community-based organizations to optimize on the continuity of care provided to residents of Contra Costa County. Contra Costa Health Services, WIC Program offers Residency Programs an opportunity to introduce residents to program services offered through Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C.). The rotation highlights nutrition disparity and equity of the socially and economically disadvantaged, obesity and lead exposures in the medically underserved, as well as public health policy and child health advocacy.

  Contra Costa Health Services, WIC Program Residency Rotation Tentative Schedule

  Upon entering the WIC office, your temperature will be taken, and you will be asked a series of health screening questions related to symptoms and exposure of COVID-19. Please ensure appropriate face coverings are used and social distancing protocols followed.

  Orientation

  • Tour of the WIC office and staff introductions

  
  

  Breastfeeding Support Clinic

  • Review breastfeeding issues/challenges with participants who have appointments that day with Lactation Consultant.
  • If a client telephone appointment is scheduled, observe telehealth breastfeeding assessment; otherwise, meet with LC and review typical scenarios, reasons for referrals and answer any questions

  
  

  WIC Individual Education

  • Observe WIC phone counseling by WNA and/or high-risk phone counseling with RD

  
  

  WIC Group Education

  • Attend a GA and GP phone/virtual class
  • Complete a GA or GP class on-line (wichealth.org) staff
  • Review CDPH nutrition and breastfeeding materials

  
  

  Peer Counselor program

  • Meet with PC to discuss the Peer Counselor program and the services they offer
  • If possible, also meet with PC Coordinator to discuss services offered

  
  

  Partnerships

  • Review RBL program, FMCH, MCAH, PH referral programs offered, as well as outside community partners (Crisis Nursery, FreshApproach, CoCoKids, First5 Centers, Monument Crisis Center, 211 etc.)

  
  

  Social Media WIC Outreach

  • Review/discuss WIC outreach efforts through website cchealth.org/wic, social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook - @contracostawic) and Contra Costa BF Task Force.

  
  

  Reference

  • Breastfeeding Curriculum ↗

  
  
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  Breastfeeding Research and Data

  • CDPH
  • California WIC Association
  • CDC Breastfeeding Report Card, United States 2020
  • CDC Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition Care (mPINC) Survey

  
  
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  Resources for Hospitals

  All mothers should receive breastfeeding guidance and information.

  California law (Hospital Infant Feeding Act) requires all hospitals with a perinatal unit to have an infant-feeding policy that promotes breastfeeding guidance according to standards set by the California Department of Public Health.

  "All hospitals providing maternity care shall make available a breastfeeding consultant or alternatively, provide information to the on where to receive breast feeding information". (AB 977)

  • World Health Organization (WHO) Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (revised 2018) – Critical Management Procedures and Key clinical Practices
  • California Laws Guiding Hospital Policies and Practices
  • Breastfeeding Model Hospital Policies -
  • Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative - USA
  • 10 Steps and the International Code – World Health Organization
  • Breastfeeding Hospital Quality Improvement

  
  
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  Forms

  • Therapeutic Formula Referral Form
  • Pregnant Women Referral Form
  • Postpartum Referral Form
  • Lactation Referral Form
  • Electric Breast Pump Agreement

  
  

  FAX completed forms to WIC at 925-655-1730.