State WIC Directors Address

Debra L. Keyes, R.D., M.A.DirectorAugust 24, 2015

Survival

Georgia WIC’s Past Challenges

Rapidly declining participation rates

Highest food packaged costs – in the nation

Historically poor Management Evaluation outcomes

Georgia WIC’s Past Challenges

Persistent fraudLow employee moraleCommunication breakdowns State/Districts

WIC Director turn over, lack of stability and WIC Program knowledge base

Hired November 1, 2012

1. Hire A New State WIC Director

2. Hire An Outside Consultant Firm

North Highland’s Objective

To develop a complete picture of WIC’s current strengths and issues that

impacts Georgia WIC’s overall effectiveness

3. Transform the WIC Program

New Organizational Structure

Consultants in collaboration with WIC Director and Supported by DPH

ELT

NEW Transformed WIC Team

Vendor ManagementYvonne Rodgers

Program AdministrationAnthony Mc Gaughey

Program Integrity and Strategy Shameyrae Miller

Program Operations and Nutrition Services

Angela Damon

NEW Transformed WIC Team

WIC Legal TeamMiessha Stennis

Ruth Pawlak

Office of Inspector General (OIG)Ondray Jennings

4. Engage Stakeholders

11

USDAUSDA

WIC teamWIC team

Formula Manufacturers*

Formula Manufacturers*

DPH Leadership

DPH Leadership

Physicians AssociationsPhysicians

Associations

EpidemiologyEpidemiology

RetailVendor

Representative

RetailVendor

Representative

ParticipantsParticipants

DPH Support Functions

DPH Support Functions

ClinicsClinics

DistrictsDistricts

WICProgra

m Office

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

11

9

9

9

InterviewsFocus GroupsVisitSurvey

Method of Participation

9

9

9

9

*Due to current contracting process formula manufacturing were not included

5. Build Out the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Unit

To eliminate the Fraud in Georgia WIC

Office of Inspector General (OIG)

Ondray Jennings, Georgia WIC, Deputy Inspector

General

What is New for WIC?

SHAPE funded WIC/Strong 4 Life Collaboration

Regional Advisors

Talk with ME Baby Initiative

Talk With Me Baby

Maria Fernandez, DPH Program Manager,

Early Brain Development Initiative

We Should be Proud

• 2nd lowest Food Cost—South East Region

• VMARS Roll-out • Breastfeeding Rate—Most Improved• Management Evaluation Turn Around

Thriving

Coming Soon Near You

Peer Counselor Data Base (PCDB)

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)E-WIC – 2020

Enterprise System Modernization (ESM)

Integrated Eligibility System (IES)

Integrated Eligibility System (IES)

Jack Petsche, Consultant, Georgia Gateway

Commissioner’s Vision for the Department of Public

Health

Good to Great

Carole C. Jakeway- DPH, Director,

District and County Operations

USDA Highlights

Sandy Benton-DavisChief, FNS, USDA

Opportunities for Improvement

Increase CaseloadProvide Great Customer Services

Enhance Collaboration

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep.

FF 2014

281572

269953

268609

268805

262645

264726

266684

270089

272272

275392

277409

278836

FF 2013

303476

296566

289812

292418

285730

283906

283710

285772

285688

287425

290269

289521

FF 2012

311177

308125

304499

307671

303169

302098

300232

302812

301741

299853

304586

300533

235,000

245,000

255,000

265,000

275,000

285,000

295,000

305,000

315,000

FF 2014FF 2013

FF 2012

Axis Title

Georgia WIC Participation ComparisonFY2012 vs. FY 2013 vs. FY 2014

Brutal Facts

Actual Caseload In a Valid Cert

June 2015 260216 318029

125,000

175,000

225,000

275,000

325,000

June 2015 Caseload

Part

icip

ants

CommitmentIncrease caseload

Provide Great Customer Services

Effective Strategies

• Standard outreach, traditional & non traditional

• In Reach, retention of existing participants

• Improved clinic visit experience– Decrease waiting time– Excellent customer service– Engaged/happy staff

• Improved Access– Open new clinics across the State – Hours and days of operation

WICMaking Every Connection Count

Integration CoordinationCollaborationTeam Work

Transparency

Survival

Thriving

Flourish

Thank you!

Thanks to Panelist!